Finding good, royalty-free music for your video, podcast, or app can be tough and sometimes expensive. But there are a bunch of websites out there offering free music legally, and some of them are actually really solid.
Here’s a quick rundown of the best free music websites for creators in 2025. Whether you’re a YouTuber, filmmaker, game dev, or just need chill background music, these sources have you covered.
1. Free Music Archive
Free Music Archive is a classic. It’s been around for years and offers a wide range of Creative Commons-licensed tracks across genres.
Pros:
- Totally free to use
- Good mix of genres
- Lots of tracks for non-commercial and commercial use
Cons:
- Some tracks have confusing licenses (double-check before using)
- Site design feels a bit old-school
2. Pixabay Music
Yep, same folks behind the stock photo site. Pixabay Music has stepped it up with a large library of free music, all available under a very relaxed license.
Pros:
- No attribution required
- Clean interface and easy search filters
- Great for background music, vlogs, and commercial projects
Cons:
- Library isn’t as deep in niche genres
- Mostly geared toward upbeat or cinematic vibes
3. YouTube Audio Library
https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC/libraries/music
If you're creating content for YouTube, this one's a no-brainer. The YouTube Audio Library has a big selection of free tracks, some requiring attribution, some not.
Pros:
- Super easy if you're already using YouTube
- Filters by genre, mood, instrument, and more
- Regularly updated
Cons:
- Meant for YouTube use—check licensing for other platforms
- Some tracks feel generic
4. Bensound
Bensound is a solid pick for royalty-free music that sounds polished. The free tier includes a decent number of tracks under the Creative Commons license with attribution.
Pros:
- Professional quality tracks
- Easy navigation
- Covers everything from acoustic to electronica
Cons:
- Attribution required on free tracks
- Limited selection unless you go premium
5. Incompetech
Run by composer Kevin MacLeod, Incompetech has been a free music go-to for years. The site's design is a little clunky, but the music quality makes up for it.
Pros:
- Huge selection of original compositions
- Wide range of moods and styles
- Used in tons of indie films and games
Cons:
- Attribution is required
- The site’s interface is due for a refresh
6. Jamendo Music
Jamendo leans into independent artists, offering free music for personal use and paid licenses for commercial projects.
Pros:
- Great platform for discovering indie music
- Free for personal listening
- Option to license for commercial use if needed
Cons:
- Not everything is free for commercial use
- Search can be a little clunky without filters
7. Audiomack
Audiomack is more of a music discovery platform, but it offers free music downloads from up-and-coming artists who want to share their work.
Pros:
- Free downloads in many genres
- Great for hip-hop, pop, and electronic
- Mobile app available
Cons:
- Mainly for personal use
- Not all tracks are downloadable
8. Musopen
If you're into classical or instrumental music, Musopen is a gem. It focuses on public domain recordings, sheet music, and educational resources.
Pros:
- 100% royalty-free and public domain
- Classical music focus
- No copyright headaches
Cons:
- Mostly classical genre
- Downloads require a free account
9. ccMixter
ccMixter is a community music site where artists share music for remixing, video scoring, or free use under Creative Commons licenses.
Pros:
- Tons of remix-friendly tracks
- Filter by license type
- Great for video scoring and experimental projects
Cons:
- Not the most modern interface
- Some license types require attribution or restrictions
10. SoundCloud (Creative Commons tracks)
SoundCloud isn’t just for discovering new artists—there’s a ton of Creative Commons music available if you dig a little.
How to Find Free Music
Search for tracks using filters like "To use commercially" or "Creative Commons." Be sure to check individual track licenses.
Pros:
- Huge global music community
- Great for finding underground or unique sounds
Cons:
- Not all tracks are free or clearly licensed
- You need to manually confirm usage rights
Key Takeaways
- 10 proven free music sources for creators, developers, and filmmakers in 2025
- Pixabay Music & YouTube Audio Library offer the easiest royalty-free downloads with no attribution required
- Free Music Archive & Incompetech provide extensive Creative Commons collections for indie projects
- Musopen specializes in 100% public domain classical music with zero copyright concerns
- Jamendo & ccMixter connect you with indie artists and remix-friendly tracks
- Always verify licensing terms - free doesn't always mean unrestricted for commercial use
- Mix and match sources based on your project type: classical (Musopen), indie (Jamendo), or general background (Pixabay)
Final Thoughts
There's no shortage of free music websites in 2025, but not all of them are created equal. The key is knowing where to look and what kind of license you need.
For quick and clean downloads, Pixabay Music or YouTube Audio Library are your best bet. For more indie or original content, check out Jamendo, FMA, ccMixter, or Incompetech. If you're scoring something a little more classical, Musopen is excellent.
If you're working on a commercial project or app, make sure you double-check license terms free doesn't always mean unrestricted.