The BEST Royalty Free Music Site? | Artlist vs Epidemic Sound vs Soundstripe vs Musicbed

Artlist: rebrand.ly/mnggwfi
Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Soundstripe: www.soundstripe.com
Music Bed: www.musicbed.com
So it's 2022 and you're looking for the best copyright free music licensing service for youtubers or freelance videographers. Evaluating all your options can be completely overwhelming, so I put this video together to guide you on your search. Today I'm looking at four different music services: Epidemic Sound, Artlist, Soundstripe, and Music Bed.
Epidemic sound has a strong case for the claim of being the best website for youtubers to get their music. The flexibility and low risk nature of their monthly subscription model offers youtubers an opportunity to try out their high quality music and sound effects without making a long term commitment. Oh, and they also have a free trial! Couple that with a new and improved find similar feature, and you have a royalty free music service that can compete with the best out there.
Artlist is what I use, and I love it! The music and sound effects both sound fantastic and there is quite a bit of variety, without sacrificing quality. The best thing about Artlist (imo) is their pro license system. When you download a song from Artlist, you have that song to use forever, even if your subscription runs out! This means if you find songs you like in the first year of your subscription, you wont need to renew your subscription to keep using those songs. The downside to this is that Artlist doesn't allow monthly subscriptions for the creator pro (commercial) license. You HAVE to pay for the whole year in advance. However, if you dont need coverage for freelance or commercial productions, Artlist also has a social creator subscription perfect for youtubers, which allows you to pay for one month at a time.
Soundstripe has high quality music, but much less quantity compared to Artlist and Epidemic Sound. With only 8000 songs, I cant help but feel that after a while, you might run out of options for new videos. However, Soundstripe does have plug-ins that link their audio library to adobe premiere and frame.io, so if you use either of those systems, your efficiency will certainly benefit from using soundstripe.
Music Bed stands out as a quite different service in comparison to Artlist, Epidemic Sound, and Soundstripe. Tailoring itself to high-budget professional productions such as TV spots and advertisements, it is certainly the most expensive license of the bunch, but it also gives you access to the highest quality music. Unfortunately, because Music Bed is so focused on high-budget clients, their system is not optimized for the typical youtuber's workflow. Their licensing is very precise, so if you're a hybrid youtuber/freelancer, you would need to pay for different licenses for each occupation.
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[@JosephMartin]

This video has been updated for 2024! Watch the new one here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnrZh2uqgpKVb5Ysi=sbRiPFX70j_3A1A_

[@kasseomusic]

Just came across your video by chance and was so confused when you started playing my track "Through The Sunset" (I also write as Seth Parson on Artlist) about 2 mins into the video, was trying to find where it was playing from on my laptop 😂 Thanks for supporting my music on Artlist!

[@JosephMartin]

No way! I love your music bro! Keep up the great work

[@EddieMorsVlogs]

I have listened to your music. Your work is a MASTERPIECE

[@MalyVang-MJ]

Thanks for also leaving a summary of each music site in the description. Super helpful alongside watching the video!

[@BakerWild]

you have the dream background on this video. great information, thanks

[@kellanwinslow2451]

Always great seeing you post. Love seeing that 10k!

[@JosephMartin]

Thank you! Yes! Almost 11k now

[@iSpike]

Well done mate 👍🏻 I’ve been with Epidemic Sound for the past three years & Artlist for two years. I love them both but the ARTLIST (forever) licence is just brilliant! I have had to take a break from ARTLIST (money is tight) and I can still use their music -it is way cool! New Subscriber here. Cheers from Western Australia 🇦🇺👍🏻

[@JosephMartin]

Cheers!

[@shelekhov]

Lol no you can't use Artlist tracks anymore. They have changed the rules and fked all previous subscribers ;)

[@Mietz_x]

Joseph, hands down, im impressed. you communicate very genuine, and it seems as If you have our interests at heart. thanks for this video man, its all i needed.

[@JosephMartin]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video and that I could be helpful! Happy creating

[@TheGettyAdventures]

Thank you for the video sir! Signed up with artlist though your link!

[@JosephMartin]

Thank you so much for the support!

[@piscesillustrations]

Very informative and well put together video. Thanks for sharing

[@JosephMartin]

Glad you liked it!

[@CHICOBM]

thank you! this content helped me on my douts and to make a wise desicion

[@denisesquare6595]

Very detailed, awesome video! God Bless...

[@josephhepburn390]

Very informative and concise thank you for everything that you've done and I will hopefully get to work with you and do some collaborations thank you black Joe

[@CarlosSaldivia]

Outstanding video Joseph, an incredibly useful video as a music utility..Thank you..

[@JosephMartin]

So glad it was helpful!

[@ReeseRyanWrites]

Thank you so much, Joseph!

[@JosephMartin]

my pleasure!

[@Postdisclosureworld]

Good analysis.

[@mauryarts36918]

I use Artlist but I'm also interested in Epidemic Sound. Thanks for the video.

[@JosephMartin]

Thanks for watching!

[@dannyrha]

Hi thanks for the tips! Can I ask which track you used for this video? Thanks again!

[@dani_da_vision]

yea... but. which of them has the best "cancel anytime option" - from my experience - that is the missing most important feature of them all - after variety of licensing in various platform and big selection of music to choose from , and yeah search tool also important. but again, most important is cancel anytime without anygames or fishy auto-renew schemes that you cannot cancel unless sending emails that fall on blind eyes mostly.

[@BlairMcNally]

Hi Joseph, thanks for another great video! As a student I find it costly to be paying for a subscription for a year when I only want one or two songs to keep and work with for the next year or so. What would you recommend?

[@JosephMartin]

If you only need one or two songs and it’s not for client work, I would honestly recommend finding songs you like on soundcloud from smaller artists. Reach out to the artists and ask for permission to use (they might request some small licensing fee). This way you can get good music for less cost

[@BlairMcNally]

@@JosephMartin hero thanks mate!

[@jasonlorphotofilms]

I just recently signed on with Audiio. That's also another good place too. I paid for the lifetime royalty free deal when they had the $100 discount so I only paid $199. Not much options at the moment compared to the others, but I couldn't say no to the discount. I will definitely look into your recommendations as another source of music as well. Thanks for sharing.

[@Losjo4093]

only paid $199 .....thats alot

[@justice5776]

@@Losjo4093 I wouldn't say it's a lot when you compare other services here ranging from $100-250+ for a year (depending on personal vs commercial use), vs $199 for a lifetime. Not saying I would go with Audiio because the small library at the moment makes me hesitant but if their library does continue to grow, getting a lifetime license for that price is not a lot in my opinion.

[@jasonlorphotofilms]

@@Losjo4093 for a lifetime royalty free deal that's actually pretty good. All the other ones are monthly payments in time they do add up when you do the math.

[@buknar456]

@@Losjo4093 $199 for a lifetime...Artlist is a little over $200 every year...forever...until you cancel. Subscriptions suck. So Audiio is doing something groundbreaking

[@seva-m]

@@Losjo4093 I completely agree. I'll be putting 10-20 tracks a month for download out on Patreon, along with a bunch of other folks, and I'll be charging $1 a month for all downloads. These libraries are comfortable, but I can't imagine how much benefit they have to bring for such a margin...

[@scot1711]

Great video! May I suggest in your next Artlist review video, you make it more clear that once your Artlist Pro subscription expires, you cannot use that music in any new projects you create. The wording in your video and description “… you have that song to use forever …” kind of implies that you can use the track for other projects in the future (even with a expired subscription) which is not true.

[@JosephMartin]

Hi scot! Thanks for calling my attention to this. While at the time this video was published, you could indeed use tracks for future projects, this is no longer the case. I’ve reached out to my associates at artlist and gotten confirmation that the license has changed, and they’re rolling out it’s implementation today.

[@jesusmm3291]

@@JosephMartin GoodBye Artlist. 💔💔💔💔💔💔

[@starmap]

@@JosephMartin oh, that makes the option easy then; epidemic sound it is.

[@fredf8164]

@@JosephMartin Hi! But for those who subscribed to the "old" Unlimited License under the old rules, can they use the music they downloaded (during the subscription year) forever?

[@tedeibeakawaii]

@@starmap From other people's experiences i've read; it seems Epidemic Sound's licence is the same. And after your subscription is cancelled; they copyright strike.

[@tampaflorida33610]

Thank you !

[@2jay_kun]

this was so useful

[@JosephMartin]

I’m glad!

[@CarnisChampion]

Thank you in a month or so I will probably get one of these.

[@JosephMartin]

Sure thing! Thanks for watching

[@CarnisChampion]

@@JosephMartin Thank you for creating such excellent content. now that I have watched all of it. Artlist is still king. even if there is limitations. the licensing is just so much more powerful. I mean it means a lot to have a small library of music that can be used in videos with out worry even if the subscription runs out.

[@JosephMartin]

Absolutely!

[@NR-rv8rz]

So someone could pay for 1 year and download Artlists entire catalogue and then end the subscription and have rights the entire Artlist catalogue for life?

[@JosephMartin]

This used to be the case, but not anymore. They’ve changed their licensing terms requiring you to have an active subscription when you post a new video

[@NR-rv8rz]

I think I'm going to go with Epidemic. It seems a bit more expensive but I like the ability to split the instruments off. I assume that if you end your subscription then you are still allowed the keep the videos on your channel that used their music? @@JosephMartin

[@JosephMartin]

@NR-rv8rz epidemic is my favorite too! Yes, any videos you published with an active subscription will remain cleared forever- even after your subscription ends

[@LearnWithTheBest]

Hi Joseph. Thanks for a great video. If I go with Artlist, then can I use that music in Patreon videos? Thanks again!

[@JosephMartin]

Thanks for watching! I believe you can, but to be totally sure, you can always send them an email!

[@ManodattDessai]

Hi Joseph, Are you sure that once we downloaded songs from the Creator Pro pack it is forever ours to use?? Or recently any terms have changed?? Can you please confirm this, I was planning to purchase the creator Pro pack.

[@JosephMartin]

Terms of service just recently changed unfortunately and this is no longer the case.

[@ManodattDessai]

@@JosephMartin ohhhh.... BTW as of now with these recent updates, which platform will be good for me to try for my channel, as i recently started and wanted to buy music for my videos.

[@Rafagazz]

How come I can't use this subscription to make videos on a Facebook page because they detect it like copyright.?

[@victoryzone3]

Thank you brother

[@JosephMartin]

Happy to help!

[@DBSpiritualPower-dc9uu]

Hello there, which one is the better one to have frequencies Hz music for my meditation channel? Thank you!

[@mehdikhadem2576]

Thanks for the information. Quick question: when i end my subscription with epidemicsound, do i get copyright strikes on my youtube videos that i uploaded and monetized prior to canceling my subscription?

[@JosephMartin]

Hi! No you will not, any videos posted under an active subscription will remain cleared forever

[@mehdikhadem2576]

@JosephMartin thanks for the reply. Artlist has the same policy I believe?

[@JosephMartin]

@@mehdikhadem2576 yep! they do

[@Entonces]

I made a short film and need some music, I will try to enter it in Film Festivals and don't want to break any copywrite laws. Would Epidemic's Commercial subscription or Artlist's Creator Pro subscription fulfill my needs? Thanks

[@buknar456]

The annual cost for these subscriptions, commercials licenses, assuming you need music for spec commercials, client work, branded content etc. (in CAD $) - $327.00 Soundstripe / $271.56 Artlist / $310.80 Epidemic Sound / $1,499.43 Music Bed...yup, it's $1,099.89 USD a year for a basic commercial license for their unlimited music library...definitely geared towards larger production companies and agencies. And then there's Audiio....$271.29 CAD for a lifetime subscription.

[@relaxinganimalsounds4K]

Hi, what will happens with my old videos which already published with the music or sound from epidemic sound if my subscription will end? Will they get copyright strike?

[@JosephMartin]

No they wont. They are cleared forever!

[@Bartos-ji1lc]

Hello. I have a doubt... if i buy the one month licence and only use one song. Can i make new videos with the same song even if my subscription is no longer active?

[@JosephMartin]

No, the only license that allows you to use the music after your subscription has expired is artlist’s creator pro subscription - you can only pay for creator pro on a yearly basis

[@amberjorgensen9080]

I have a question about Epedemic Sound..If I try the free trial and make a video for a client of mine using songs from Epidemic Sound but then decide I don't want to pay the yearly subscription will I still be able to give the video to my client?

[@JosephMartin]

Hi! I believe the free trial only applies to the individual plan, not the commercial plan, so you wouldnt be covered for client videos. Now, if you paid for a month of commercial plan, but decided not to renew for the next month, any videos you of your client posted during your active month will remain cleared forever.

[@amberjorgensen9080]

@@JosephMartin great thank you for the info

[@kristiyangoytchev3005]

I got a question... If you pay for a any of the platforms basic sub, how would they know if you create someting on your computer, give it to someone and he use it as a commercial use.. This is thing you don`t talk at all ?!

[@JosephMartin]

When the second party then posts the video they might copyright strike it and ask him to provide the license number for the song, which will not be a commercial license number, it will be one for personal use.

[@kristiyangoytchev3005]

@@JosephMartin Thank you! ❤️😁

[@Schmiddy]

Is this also for youtube shorts? Do any have an advantage for shorts?

[@JosephMartin]

They all work well for shorts!

[@JayarFormento]

the music that you use on your videos in youtube before the end of the subscription are also copyrighted after?

[@JosephMartin]

No, they will be clear forever

[@JayarFormento]

@@JosephMartin ok thank you,

[@Entonces]

Could one use music from the Artlist's Creator Pro Subscription or Epidemic's Commercial Subscription on a short film with out breaking any copywrite laws? Thanks

[@JosephMartin]

It depends on the distribution of your short film, if you plan to simply post it online and show it privately, yes!

[@Entonces]

@@JosephMartin Thanks, I hope it makes the cut in a festival or 2, I think I'll go Epidemic.

[@GrandyMacw3live]

Hi, please can i use the Artlist commercial on Netflix content I created or Prime Videos?

[@JosephMartin]

No, i believe streaming distribution will require you to get an enterprise license from Artlist

[@swammiastroglyde]

Can I use a sound byte from Epidemic and make money releasing a song as long as I keep paying the monthly fee to the Epidemic site?

[@JosephMartin]

No, epidemic’s terms state that their license does not cover the usage of their music as samples or beats in the creation of other music. Their music is only licensed for visual media productions

[@echozero_]

Artlist has better music than Epidemic, but it's narrower in focus and style. Musicbed is amazing for quality, but the licensing is confusing.

[@AstronomicalSociety_]

I wanna thank you guys for letting me have create a free subscription trial the beats are fantastic when I have funds I’ll pay for a payed subscription

[@azizal157]

Does artlist license cover Snapchat ?

[@AkashYadav-eg5ck]

if i license a song during subscription and use in YT video during the subsription... and then i cancel my annual plan. what happen to my already uploaded video? on Musicbed

[@JosephMartin]

It will stay copyright claim free forever!

[@AkashYadav-eg5ck]

@@JosephMartin sure? i cancel my annual plan before 12 month.

[@jayfish9514]

Hi Joseph, i'm a 7th grader currently being homeschooled. I have lots of friends but don't know how I can possibly have a girlfriend when I wouldn't see her often considering i'm homeschooled. I'm aware you were too, that's why i'm asking what you did in this situation.

[@JosephMartin]

Hey Jay! I'm glad you're enjoying homeschooling and have a lot of friends to hang out with! Focus on building those friendships and pursuing hobbies that interest you right now - save the girlfriend for later. The last couple years of highschool are the soonest you should worry about romantic relationships. Dating can be fun but it also comes with a lot of stress and responsibility that you shouldn't have to deal with at the moment. For now, just enjoy all the good things you have going for you as it is!

[@MichelleBanda77]

You’re so young honey, I agree with Joseph. Focus on school and friends right now. 🌹 When you get older, focus on building confidence, your mind, and wealth(money). They don’t say this a lot but making sure you’re a strong person alone is important before entering a relationship. That way when someone leaves you, you can still be ok and mature in the end. You’ll grow up a good young man. Blessings 🌹

[@DigIntoGaming]

Artlist no longer has a forever license and is exactly the same as epidemic sound now and has roughly the same pricing.

[@JosephMartin]

True! I’ve made some updated videos mentioning the new differences and I’m working on one for this year too!

[@swammiastroglyde]

if I make a song and use music from Artlist, can I make money? pls explain.

[@JosephMartin]

No, artlist only allows their music to be used in visual media, their terms restrict the usage of the music as beats or samples in new songs

[@GaetanoCrisci]

NO man today Artlist doesn't permit publishing music in videos when the subscription has ended in either of their subscription plans!

[@JosephMartin]

Not anymore, when the video was published they did

[@donrolando5401]

Question? If I use their music..I can still be monetized?

[@JosephMartin]

Yep!

[@DWBBQ_9394]

do any of those cover for twitter?

[@JosephMartin]

I believe they all do! If you want to be extra sure, just shoot their customer support an email

[@dgtamilvlogger16]

Hi If I subscribe for 2 months Epidemic and download some songs . after 2 months shall I use downloaded musics in my vlog

[@JosephMartin]

No, you have to have an active subscription to Epidemic to use the songs in new videos

[@dgtamilvlogger16]

@@JosephMartin Thanks for your immediate response Is there any other paid subscription is available if i can subscribe one time and i can use life time musics in Vlog

[@JosephMartin]

Not that I know of

[@dgtamilvlogger16]

Thanks buddy 😊👍

[@teeboisgoat]

Best completely free one?

[@benja1378]

Why no coverage of audiio?

[@JosephMartin]

This is my 2022 comparison video! My 2023 has audiio featured- kzbin.info/www/bejne/mavYq4GJl8R5ntEsi=lPXoaZEzaPQDDa9t

[@camonzongo]

Great video thanks, but are you working on a 2023 update? As someone else commented, you may need to update this video with more accurate/current information about Artlist license policies. It's very clearly stated on their site that whatever assets you use(d) and published while subscribed are good 'forever'. However, if you're not longer a paid subscriber and publish new material with the assets you previously downloaded/used you're not covered and may be hit with copyright infringement. In their own words: "When you create a project using downloaded assets and publish them in any media during your subscription, you can keep your project in the same media and monetize it forever, even after your subscription has expired. Once your subscription expires, any use of the assets in new projects or publications won't be covered. To create and publish new projects, please re-subscribe to an active plan. This is the same policy for all plans"

[@JosephMartin]

The update comes out tomorrow!

[@camonzongo]

@@JosephMartin Awesome, thanks! Can't wait to see it

[@seva-m]

We are not quite there yet, but all three of them are going down later this year, unless one of them acts smart quickly and implement smart AI sound generator. The price they are charging is insane for 'good-enough' which is what most creators are looking for.

[@JosephMartin]

Interesting prediction! Maybe! Ai is getting very impressive

[@landon_wilkinson]

How will Ai effect this?

[@EmmanuelMelendez]

Currently the cheapest Musicbed subscription is $29.99

[@JosephMartin]

The price changed already?!? Wow! Are you seeing that in AUD, CAD, or USD? Maybe thats the discrepancy

[@EmmanuelMelendez]

@@JosephMartin USD

[@christenw.1726]

Is everything you said about Artlist still true today?

[@OrlandoGuys]

iv heard multiple people say music bed is horrible

[@hejwazzup]

Hi, Question. I want to buy a Music & SFX Social subscription. I'm just curious about the following: When I add my instagram account in Artlist. And I add a contributor (collab) when posting a Reel. Can this person/company/instagram account get a copyright claim? Or is that covered?

[@JosephMartin]

Wow that’s a super specific and very good question! As long as the post/reel is on your account, there shouldn’t be an issue at all. Reels in particular are a strange beast because of remixes etc. In general I cant imagine anyone getting a copyright claim from Artlist because of a collab reel, but I don’t know for sure how their copyright system has been implemented on instagram. This was all a very long winded way to say I dont know, but I’d bet a lot of money that it wont be an issue at all! 😂

[@daurgo2001]

Used your link for epidemic, hopefully you get some extra income! (Also found a coupon for 50% off on top of that: think50). Unfortunately the commercial license is only for 3 channels =/

[@JosephMartin]

Thank you for your support! Happy editing!

[@daurgo2001]

@@JosephMartin thanks! My current issue is that you can’t seem to be able to download entire playlists to the app? Do any of the other services allow that? I plan on sailing and won’t have access to the internet, so not sure how I could possible edit while under way

[@JosephMartin]

I dont know of any mobile apps that support that. You could download the songs to your files app and save them that way I think!

[@Sofiahansen_3069]

Hello hello - thank you for your content. I saw a video posted in 2020 where someone had paid for epidemic sound and then used their music on their channel and a copyright claim was filed against him and this was only after he had received many views and the video was monetised - I read the comments of this video and many people seemed to have the same experience. i am aware this was 2 years ago so many things might have changed - also I can't find many other channels saying they've experienced the same thing. I am a fitness coach and desire to start my own KZbin channel - I can't decide between artlist and epidemic sound because: 1. artlist seems to have a much more reliable licensing system and apparently fight your copyright claim battles for you 2. epidemic sound has this bad review which is a very very risky option if it is true. 3. epidemic sound has music much much more suited to what I want . please please help or do a video or anyone in the comments that has been through anything strange with epidemic sound please comment. thanks all have a great week

[@JosephMartin]

I’ve had epidemic mistakenly claim my video once, but it was a pretty quick and painless process to get the matter resolved. Any monetization “lost” during copyright contention is returned to the creator once the matter is resolved.

[@Sofiahansen_3069]

@@JosephMartin ok awesome - thank you for such a quick response

[@HewAndAwe]

Yep very recently - Epidemic sound were useless in any help even as bad as sending me the same generic emails, even video I had that used ES music copy rite striked had to be re edited and uploaded again! Mets say "Meta doesn't have the rights to the music used" so means nothing having a licence from ES. Dont even get me started on having to share revenue with the artist, Facebook is just a nightmare what ever you do bar use their crap music.

[@Sofiahansen_3069]

@@HewAndAwe gosh I’m sorry to hear - did everything get resolved in the end??

[@ncastle_jp]

Thanks for the helpful explanation. I finally decided to subscribe Artlist through you refferal link ＼(^o^)／

[@JosephMartin]

Thank you so much for your support!

[@calvinfinley8340]

Commercial sub can I use you tube and instergram at the same time for promotion

[@JosephMartin]

Yep!