By using free creative commons music, you can easily find the perfect soundtrack for your next video, from YouTube Video to even Reels on Instagram or Facebook without spending a dime!
You can use creative commons music libraries to find exactly what you need, just like you can with free stock photos and free stock videos. To save you time, we’ve compiled a list of 13 top sources for free music. Keep reading to discover these fantastic resources!
8. Archive.org
The Internet Archive is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving digital artifacts like videos, music, images, books, and even entire websites. You might already know about one of its most popular projects, the Wayback Machine, which allows users to explore archived versions of websites.
Another gem within the Internet Archive is the Live Music Archive, which features recordings of concerts and live performances. Keep in mind, though, that most of this content is limited to non-commercial use, so businesses and brands will need to steer clear of these recordings.
Additionally, the Internet Archive is home to LibriVox, a collection of public domain audiobooks. While not music, audiobooks can add a creative twist to your content. For example, why not include a dramatic reading of Frankenstein in your next campaign? Thinking outside the box can open up unique opportunities!
9. Fugue Music
Fugue Music, a project by Icons8, is a sleek, user-friendly platform offering an extensive library of royalty-free Creative Commons music. Known for its design-focused tools and resources, Icons8 ensures Fugue Music is as polished and intuitive as possible—a standout feature compared to other similar platforms.
However, it’s worth noting that free tracks on Fugue Music are limited to non-commercial use only. If you’re planning to use music to promote your brand or monetize your content, you’ll need to opt for one of their commercial licensing options. Fugue offers flexible payment models, including single-track purchases or a subscription plan, making it a viable option for businesses.
One of Fugue Music’s standout features is its personal shopper service. If you’re not sure what track suits your project, you can contact the Fugue team with your use case. They’ll curate a selection of music recommendations specifically tailored to your needs—a helpful tool for those looking to save time or refine their creative direction.
10. Uppbeat
Uppbeat is a go-to platform for creators, offering music that’s free to use commercially on any platform, making it perfect for monetized videos. The site is user-friendly, with tracks neatly organized into playlists and curated collections. You can also use the keyword search to find specific genres, styles, or artists quickly.
11. FreePD
FreePD offers a collection of public-domain music that you can use freely without attribution, making it a versatile resource for creators. Everything on the site is free to download, though they offer a convenient bulk download option for a small fee, which includes all MP3 and WAV files.
Most of the music on FreePD is composed by Kevin MacLeod and licensed under CC-BY. This means you can use it as long as you provide proper credit. If you’d prefer not to include attribution, you can purchase a license directly.
In addition, Kevin MacLeod’s other site, Incompetech, focuses on music for films and features over 1,300 tracks. Categories like Western and Horror make it ideal for filmmakers, and the advanced search tools let you explore by mood, genre, tag, or keyword.
FreePD and Incompetech are excellent options for finding high-quality music that suits a wide variety of projects, whether you’re working on a video, podcast, or film.
12. Audionautix
Audionautix offers a collection of royalty-free music that’s free to use with proper attribution. Created and managed solely by musician Jason Shaw, this platform is a great resource for creators looking for high-quality tracks at no cost. Donations are welcome to support the site but aren’t required.
13. Hearthis.at
Hearthis, a Dutch music-sharing site, is designed for artists and creators to share and discover music. While most tracks on the platform are free to share but not to use, there are several ways to find Creative Commons music for your projects:
- Explore the Creative Commons Playlist: This curated playlist includes a selection of tracks available under Creative Commons licenses.
- Join the Creative Commons Group: Create an account and join the group, which features a community of over 170 members sharing tracks under Creative Commons.
- Search by Keywords: Use keywords like “Creative Commons” in the search bar to uncover additional tracks across the platform.
Although Hearthis has a smaller collection of Creative Commons tracks compared to other resources, it’s worth exploring—you might just stumble upon the perfect tune for your project!
Final thoughts
Finding the perfect soundtrack for your creative projects doesn’t have to be costly. With these fantastic resources for Creative Commons music, you can access high-quality tracks to fit any mood, style, or genre—many of which are free to use, even commercially. Take advantage of these tools, experiment with different platforms, and elevate your projects with music that resonates. With such a wide range of choices, you’re bound to find the perfect tune to bring your vision to life!