10 Best Places to Get Free Music for Your Podcast

Finding the right music for your podcast is key to setting the tone, creating smooth transitions, and adding professionalism. To help you access great music for free, here are the 10 best places to get royalty-free music for your podcast.

1. Free Music Archive (FMA)

The Free Music Archive offers a vast collection of free, royalty-free music curated by artists and institutions. The music spans multiple genres, making it easy to find tracks that fit your podcast’s mood or style. Most tracks are available under Creative Commons licenses.

Pros:

  • Large library
  • Curated by artists
  • Easy to filter by license

Cons:

  • Some tracks require attribution

2. YouTube Audio Library

The YouTube Audio Library offers free music and sound effects that are easy to incorporate into your podcast. You can search by genre, mood, or instrument to find the perfect track for your show, and many of the tracks are available for commercial use without attribution.

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use interface
  • No copyright worries

Cons:

  • Quality varies

3. Incompetech

Incompetech, run by composer Kevin MacLeod, offers a wide variety of royalty-free music. His tracks are commonly used in podcasts and videos, and they are available under a Creative Commons license. Search music by genre, tempo, or mood to find tracks for any part of your podcast.

Pros:

  • Well-categorized library
  • Completely free with attribution

Cons:

  • Attribution required for free use

4. Bensound

Bensound is known for its broad range of music genres, including acoustic, jazz, electronic, and more. Free tracks are available under Creative Commons, but attribution is required for non-commercial use. You can purchase licenses for commercial projects.

Pros:

  • Diverse music selection
  • User-friendly interface

Cons:

  • Free tracks are limited to non-commercial use
  • Attribution required

5. Purple Planet

Purple Planet provides a variety of free music tracks aimed at media creators, including podcasters. The music is available under Creative Commons for non-commercial use with attribution, though you can pay for a license if you need it for commercial use.

Pros:

  • Simple licensing
  • Great for background music

Cons:

  • Attribution required unless you pay

6. Epidemic Sound (Free Trial)

While Epidemic Sound is a subscription service, they offer a 30-day free trial that gives you access to their massive library of royalty-free music. This is ideal for podcasters who want high-quality sound without breaking the bank upfront.

Pros:

  • Professional quality music
  • Vast selection

Cons:

  • Only free for 30 days

7. Audionautix

Musician Jason Shaw created Audionautix to offer free music under Creative Commons licenses. You can search for music by genre and mood, making it an easy platform to navigate if you’re looking for specific types of tracks for your podcast.

Pros:

  • Free with attribution
  • Broad selection of music

Cons:

  • Attribution required

8. Musopen

If you're looking for classical music, Musopen is the perfect source. It provides free access to classical pieces that are either public domain or available under a Creative Commons license. This resource is ideal for adding a sophisticated touch to your podcast.

Pros:

  • High-quality classical music
  • Completely free

Cons:

  • Limited to classical and instrumental genres

9. Silverman Sound Studios

Silverman Sound Studios provides free music under a Creative Commons license. You’ll find high-quality tracks suited for podcasts, and while you need to provide attribution for free use, you can purchase a license if you prefer not to.

Pros:

  • High-quality sound
  • Easy licensing

Cons:

  • Attribution required unless you purchase a license

10. Pixabay Music

Pixabay is known for its royalty-free images, but it also offers a comprehensive music library. All tracks are available for commercial and non-commercial use without requiring attribution, making this platform a favorite for podcasters.

Pros:

  • Completely free and no attribution required
  • Large and varied selection

Cons:

  • Quality may vary across tracks

Conclusion

When selecting music for your podcast, it’s essential to ensure that you are following the appropriate licensing guidelines to avoid copyright issues. The platforms listed here offer free music with varying license requirements, allowing you to find the perfect sound while staying within your budget.