Where To Find Music For YouTube Videos: 12 Top Sites For 2026

Yaro

13/02/2026 8:32 AM

The right music can transform a good YouTube video into an unforgettable one, but navigating the world of licensing, Content ID, and royalties is a major hurdle for creators. A single copyright claim can demonetize your hard work or even lead to a channel strike. So, where to find music for YouTube videos that is safe, high-quality, and fits your specific budget? This guide is your definitive answer, breaking down the 12 best platforms available today.

We will analyze the pros, cons, and ideal use cases for each source, helping you find the perfect sonic identity for your content without the legal headaches. We'll cover everything from completely free libraries and affordable subscription services to premium single-track licensing options. Whether you're a new vlogger searching for your first background track or a seasoned production agency building a sound library, this list has a solution tailored for you.

As your library of licensed tracks grows, organizing them becomes essential. A responsible guide to digital asset management for video can help you keep your media files, including music licenses, organized and easily accessible for future projects.

Each platform in our roundup includes a direct link and a clear breakdown of its licensing model, so you can make an informed decision and get back to what you do best: creating amazing content. Let's dive into the top destinations for sourcing your next great soundtrack.

1. LesFM

LesFM positions itself as a creator-first record label and music licensing platform, making it a powerful and well-rounded choice for YouTubers seeking high-quality, emotionally resonant soundtracks. It stands out by blending the polish of a record label with the accessibility of a stock library, offering a curated catalog of peaceful, uplifting, and cinematic music designed specifically for video content. This focus on mood and quality over sheer quantity is its core strength, ensuring creators can quickly find a track that elevates their narrative.

The platform is meticulously organized by genre, mood, and featured playlists, which significantly speeds up the discovery process. For creators producing content related to mindfulness, travel, storytelling, or education, the selection of acoustic, ambient, lofi, and cinematic scores is particularly strong. The presence of LesFM's music on major streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music is a unique advantage, allowing for easy previewing and sharing before committing to a license.

Licensing and Pricing Structure

LesFM’s licensing model is built for scalability and simplicity, a key factor when looking for where to find music for YouTube videos without legal headaches. Subscribers benefit from unlimited downloads and broad publishing rights, which removes the friction of per-track licensing for active creators.

• Personal Plan: At $49.99/year (about $4.17/month), this tier is ideal for individual creators, covering one monetized YouTube channel.
• Commercial Plan: Priced at $99.99/year (about $8.33/month), it expands usage to multiple channels, client work, and digital ads, suiting freelancers and small agencies.
• Enterprise Plan: For $399.99/year, this plan includes full TV and broadcast rights, a dedicated customer success manager, and custom terms for larger productions.

For those needing a single track, one-off licenses are also available, providing flexibility for specific projects. The 30-day money-back guarantee adds a layer of confidence for new users. This clear structure helps creators understand exactly what they are getting and demystifies the complexities of music rights; you can learn more about how royalty-free music works to see why this is so important.

Key Strengths and Considerations

Pros:

• Creator-Centric Licensing: Unlimited downloads and simple, tiered plans cover everything from a single monetized channel to full broadcast use.
• High-Quality, Curated Catalog: The focus on well-produced, mood-driven music makes it easy to find an impactful soundtrack quickly.
• Excellent Discoverability: Music is available on major streaming platforms for easy previewing, and the site's curated playlists are a major time-saver.
• Strong Support and Guarantee: Responsive online support and a 30-day money-back guarantee provide a reliable user experience.

Cons:

• Modest Catalog Size: With over 2,000 tracks, the library is smaller than massive stock platforms, which might be a limitation for those needing highly specific or niche genres.
• Cost for Top-Tier Rights: Full broadcast and TV rights are reserved for the premium Enterprise tier, which may be a significant investment for smaller teams needing that level of clearance.

Website: https://lesfm.net

2. YouTube Audio Library

The most accessible place where to find music for YouTube videos is directly within YouTube Studio itself. The YouTube Audio Library is Google’s own collection of free-to-use music and sound effects, created specifically for creators on the platform. It's an essential first stop for anyone new to content creation or operating on a zero budget.

What makes it stand out is its seamless integration and zero-risk factor. Since the library is part of the YouTube ecosystem, every track is pre-cleared for use in monetized videos, eliminating the fear of Content ID claims that can plague creators using music from other sources. The interface is simple, allowing you to filter tracks by genre, mood, duration, and even specific instruments.

Key Features & Use Case

• Cost: Completely free. Access is included with your YouTube channel.
• Best For: New YouTubers, creators on a tight budget, and anyone needing simple background music or sound effects without leaving the YouTube platform. It's perfect for vlogs, tutorials, or explainer videos where the music serves a functional, non-starring role.
• Licensing: Tracks are either public domain or under a Creative Commons license. A dedicated column clearly states if attribution is required, making compliance straightforward. For a deeper dive into how these licenses work, you can explore resources on licensing music for YouTube.

While its catalog isn't as vast or frequently updated as paid services, the convenience is unbeatable. No external accounts or payments are needed; just find a track, download it, and add it to your video editor.

Visit YouTube Audio Library

3. YouTube Creator Music

For creators looking to use popular, commercial music, YouTube Creator Music is a groundbreaking solution. Instead of relying on stock audio, this marketplace integrates directly into YouTube Studio, offering a way where to find music for YouTube videos that includes chart-topping artists. It’s designed to bridge the gap between creators and the music industry, providing clear licensing options for well-known songs.

This platform's primary innovation is its dual-licensing model. Creators can either purchase an upfront license to use a song and keep their full ad revenue, or they can use eligible tracks under a revenue-sharing agreement. This native integration demystifies the process of using commercial music, making it a viable option for those who want a specific, recognizable song to elevate their content.

Key Features & Use Case

• Cost: Varies. Creators can buy per-video licenses (prices differ based on channel size) or opt into a revenue-share model with the rights holder at no upfront cost.
• Best For: Monetizing YouTubers (especially in the U.S.) who want to feature recognizable commercial songs in their videos without risking copyright issues. It’s ideal for high-production vlogs, cinematic edits, or any video where a specific popular track is central to the creative vision.
• Licensing: The platform offers two main options: upfront, per-video licenses that clear usage on YouTube, or revenue-sharing agreements on eligible tracks. This system is a major step forward, but it's crucial to understand the terms to manage your monetization expectations. Learning how to navigate these complexities is key to understanding how to avoid copyright strikes on YouTube.

While its availability is currently focused on creators in the YouTube Partner Program in the U.S., Creator Music represents a significant shift. It offers a predictable and native workflow for licensing mainstream music, something previously out of reach for most individual creators.

Visit YouTube Creator Music

4. Epidemic Sound

For creators who regularly publish content across multiple platforms, Epidemic Sound is a powerhouse solution. It's a premium subscription service offering a massive, high-quality library of music and sound effects. This platform is a go-to choice for those looking for a simple, all-encompassing answer to where to find music for YouTube videos and beyond.

What truly sets it apart is its licensing model. Once you link your channel, any video published during your active subscription is cleared forever, even if you cancel your plan later. This feature provides incredible peace of mind and protects your content from future claims, a significant advantage over many competitors. The catalog is constantly updated with tracks from professional artists, and many songs come with stems (individual instrument tracks) for advanced editing.

Key Features & Use Case

• Cost: Subscription-based, with plans starting around $15/month for personal use and scaling up for commercial or freelance needs.
• Best For: Full-time YouTubers, podcasters, and social media managers who need a constant supply of fresh, high-quality music. It’s ideal for creators who publish on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitch simultaneously and want a single license to cover everything.
• Licensing: Simple and direct. The subscription grants you a license to use their entire catalog on the platforms covered by your plan. Just connect your channel(s), and the "Safelisting" feature automatically handles monetization clearance with YouTube's Content ID system.

While the subscription-only model means you can't buy individual tracks, the unlimited downloads and perpetual license for published content offer immense value for consistent creators. The user interface is clean, making it easy to discover the perfect track for any project.

Visit Epidemic Sound

5. Artlist

For creators seeking a premium, curated library with straightforward licensing, Artlist is a top-tier destination where to find music for YouTube videos. This subscription-based service is renowned for its high-quality, artist-driven catalog and a simple, all-inclusive license that eliminates the complexities often found elsewhere. It’s designed for creators who value cinematic-quality sound and want to avoid navigating intricate legal terms.

What sets Artlist apart is its licensing model. An active subscription grants you a global, universal license for any track you download, covering everything from personal YouTube channels to commercial client work, depending on your plan. Crucially, any project you publish during your subscription is covered forever, even if you later cancel. This "perpetual license" provides immense peace of mind.

Key Features & Use Case

• Cost: Subscription-based, with yearly and monthly options. Tiers range from a personal Social plan to a comprehensive Pro plan for commercial and client work.
• Best For: Professional YouTubers, filmmakers, freelance editors, and creative agencies who need consistently high-quality music for monetized or client projects. Its curated nature makes it ideal for storytelling, cinematic vlogs, and brand campaigns.
• Licensing: An active subscription provides a universal license. The Social plan covers one channel per platform (YouTube, Instagram, etc.), while the Pro plan covers unlimited channels, client work, and commercial ads. All projects published while subscribed are licensed in perpetuity.

While the Social plan has platform limitations, the Pro tier offers one of the most comprehensive and worry-free licenses available. The user interface is clean and intuitive, with powerful filters for mood, video theme, and instrumentation that make finding the perfect track a fast and enjoyable process.

Visit Artlist

6. Soundstripe

Soundstripe is a creator-focused platform that offers another premium solution for where to find music for YouTube videos, designed to simplify and accelerate a creator's workflow. It stands out by combining a vast, high-quality library with powerful tools built specifically for video producers, including seamless YouTube clearance.

What makes Soundstripe particularly attractive is its focus on integration and ease of use. Features like Adobe Premiere Pro and Frame.io extensions, alongside its intelligent AI-powered search, allow editors to find and sync music without ever leaving their editing software. This, combined with its auto-clearance feature for YouTube, removes major friction points in the content creation process, making it a favorite among serious YouTubers and professional editors.

Key Features & Use Case

• Cost: Subscription-based with multiple tiers (Creator, Pro, Enterprise) starting around $15 per month. Single-song licensing is also available.
• Best For: Dedicated YouTubers, freelance video editors, and creative agencies who need a streamlined workflow and premium-quality music. Its integrated tools and auto-clearance are ideal for creators producing a high volume of content who want to minimize time spent on music discovery and licensing management.
• Licensing: Subscription plans offer unlimited downloads and a straightforward license covering your owned channels. The license is perpetual, meaning videos published during your subscription are covered forever, even if you cancel.

While the exact pricing can vary and requires navigating to checkout, the value provided in its toolset and curated library is substantial. Soundstripe offers a professional-grade experience that helps creators produce better content faster.

Visit Soundstripe

7. PremiumBeat

For creators who need premium, broadcast-quality tracks with ironclad licensing, PremiumBeat is a top-tier destination where to find music for YouTube videos. As a subsidiary of Shutterstock, it offers a highly curated library of exclusive music, making it a go-to for filmmakers, agencies, and YouTubers producing high-stakes commercial content where production value is paramount.

What sets PremiumBeat apart is its straightforward, perpetual licensing model. When you purchase a track, you receive the full song, along with loops and stems, which provides immense flexibility in the editing process. This focus on quality over quantity ensures that finding the right track feels less like digging through a massive database and more like browsing a handpicked collection.

Key Features & Use Case

• Cost: Offers a monthly subscription (starting around $12.99/month for 5 tracks) or single-track licenses (Creator license at $49, Standard at $69).
• Best For: Professional YouTubers, filmmakers, and creative agencies working on client projects, branded content, or digital ads. It's ideal when you need a single, impactful track with clear, perpetual rights for a specific project.
• Licensing: Extremely clear and well-documented. The license tiers (Creator, Standard, Premium, Business) map directly to specific use cases, from web-only content to broadcast advertising, removing any guesswork for commercial work.

While purchasing individual tracks can be costly for creators who upload frequently, the one-time fee provides a lifetime, worldwide license for that specific project. This makes PremiumBeat a reliable choice for projects with a budget, where securing a high-quality, exclusive-sounding track is a critical investment.

Visit PremiumBeat

8. Musicbed

For creators who see music as a core storytelling element rather than just background noise, Musicbed offers a highly curated, cinematic experience. This platform is a favorite among filmmakers and brands looking for emotionally resonant, indie-leaning tracks that elevate their productions. If you're wondering where to find music for YouTube videos that sounds more like a film score and less like stock audio, this is a top-tier destination.

What sets Musicbed apart is its "quality over quantity" philosophy. The catalog feels hand-picked, featuring genuine artists and composers, which results in a more authentic and impactful sound. The platform is built for creators who prioritize mood and narrative, offering powerful search filters that go beyond simple genres to include attributes like "build," "epic," and "hopeful."

Key Features & Use Case

• Cost: Premium pricing. Offers subscription plans (starting around $19.99/month for individual creators) and single-song licenses. Plans are clearly segmented for personal/creator use versus business/client work.
• Best For: Professional filmmakers, wedding videographers, documentary creators, and YouTubers focused on cinematic storytelling. It is ideal for projects where music is a central, driving force in the narrative.
• Licensing: Simple and clear. A subscription covers all your content on specific platforms like YouTube. Their SyncID™ tool helps automatically clear any YouTube Content ID claims once your channel is connected, providing peace of mind for monetized channels.

While the investment is higher than mass-market libraries, the quality and unique character of the music justify the cost for creators whose brand is defined by a polished, professional aesthetic. The user interface is sleek and intuitive, making the discovery process itself an inspiring part of the creative workflow.

Visit Musicbed

9. AudioJungle (Envato Market)

For creators who prefer a pay-per-track model over a subscription, AudioJungle is a massive marketplace and a popular place where to find music for YouTube videos. As part of the broader Envato Market, it operates like a huge digital storefront where individual composers and producers sell their music directly, offering an enormous and diverse catalog.

What makes AudioJungle stand out is its a la carte approach. You only pay for the specific track you need, which is ideal for one-off projects or creators who don't require a constant stream of new music. The platform provides clear licensing documentation for each purchase, detailing what is and isn't allowed, which helps demystify the process of using music in monetized YouTube content.

Key Features & Use Case

• Cost: Pay-per-track, with prices set by individual authors. Costs typically range from $10 to $40+ per track for a standard license.
• Best For: Freelance video editors, small businesses, or YouTubers who need a specific, high-quality track for a key project and prefer not to commit to a monthly subscription. It's excellent for finding that perfect theme music or a powerful track for a cinematic intro.
• Licensing: Each purchase comes with a standard license certificate. The platform provides clear FAQs and guidance on how to handle potential YouTube Content ID claims, usually by providing the license certificate to YouTube to clear the claim.

While the sheer volume of tracks is a major advantage, quality can vary between authors, requiring a bit more time to sift through and find the best options. However, for those who value choice and a simple, one-time purchasing model, AudioJungle is a go-to resource.

Visit AudioJungle

10. Pond5

Pond5 is a massive multimedia marketplace where creators can find much more than just music for their YouTube videos. It positions itself as an all-in-one hub for stock assets, offering video footage, sound effects, after-effects templates, and images alongside an extensive music library. This makes it a powerful option for creators who need to source various types of media for a single project without hopping between different platforms.

What sets Pond5 apart is its flexible purchasing model. Unlike many services that are subscription-only, Pond5 offers a la carte downloads, credit packs, and subscription plans. This hybrid approach caters to both frequent creators who need a steady stream of assets and one-off producers who just need the perfect track for a specific video. Its comprehensive library and one-stop-shop convenience make it a go-to resource for a wide range of creative needs.

Key Features & Use Case

• Cost: Varies widely. Individual tracks can be purchased a la carte (typically $15-$60+). Subscription plans offer a set number of monthly downloads, and credit packs provide a pay-as-you-go alternative.
• Best For: Video producers, agencies, and YouTubers who regularly purchase a mix of stock media (video, music, SFX) and want the efficiency of a single marketplace. The flexible pricing is ideal for those with fluctuating project needs.
• Licensing: Straightforward and robust. A standard purchase grants a perpetual, worldwide license for use in web videos, including monetized YouTube content. Enhanced licenses are available for broader distribution like broadcast or film.

The sheer scale of the Pond5 catalog means you can find almost anything, though the quality can vary since it's an open marketplace for contributors. However, for creators building complex projects, the ability to find a 4K drone shot, a matching cinematic score, and the necessary sound effects all in one place is a significant workflow advantage.

Visit Pond5

11. Storyblocks

For creators who need more than just audio, Storyblocks offers a comprehensive solution. It's an all-in-one stock media subscription service where a single plan can grant you unlimited access to music, sound effects, video footage, and motion graphics templates. This makes it a high-value option for YouTubers who manage their entire production workflow and frequently need various types of assets.

The platform’s strength lies in its simplicity and sheer volume. Instead of juggling multiple subscriptions for video and audio, you can consolidate everything under one roof. The licensing is straightforward, designed for commercial and personal use on YouTube without complex restrictions, making it a reliable choice for monetized channels.

Key Features & Use Case

• Cost: Subscription-based, with plans like "Unlimited All-Access" covering all media types. Pricing is tiered for individuals and businesses.
• Best For: All-in-one creators, freelance video editors, and small businesses who need a constant supply of B-roll footage and graphics in addition to their music. It’s ideal for channels producing documentaries, corporate videos, or listicles that rely heavily on stock media.
• Licensing: A simple, royalty-free license covers use across all platforms, including YouTube. The license is perpetual, meaning media downloaded during your subscription can be used in projects forever.

While Storyblocks is not a specialized music library, its audio collection is extensive and functional. The main draw is the incredible value of getting unlimited downloads across different media categories, streamlining the creative process and budget for creators who do it all.

Visit Storyblocks

12. Uppbeat

Uppbeat offers a "freemium" model specifically designed for the modern creator, making it a compelling place where to find music for YouTube videos. Its library is fresh and modern, featuring artists who produce music well-suited for lifestyle vlogs, tech reviews, and other contemporary content styles.

What makes it stand out is its unique approach to free usage. Instead of a blanket Creative Commons license, Uppbeat operates on a credit-based system. On the free plan, you receive monthly credits to download tracks. Using a track requires you to paste a unique Uppbeat credit into your video description, which automatically releases any potential Content ID claim. This system ensures artists are compensated while giving creators a legitimate free path.

Key Features & Use Case

• Cost: Free plan available with attribution required via a special credit link. Paid plans (Premium and Business) start at around $6.99/month, removing the need for attribution and adding channel safelisting.
• Best For: Creators who want high-quality, contemporary music without an initial budget. It's ideal for YouTubers who understand the Content ID system and are comfortable with the "copy-paste credit" workflow to clear claims. The paid tier is a great step up for those who want a more seamless, claim-free experience.
• Licensing: The free tier license is tied to the unique credit link provided upon download. Paid plans offer a more standard royalty-free license that includes safelisting your YouTube channel, preventing claims from ever appearing on new uploads.

While the free plan's claim-and-release system can feel like an extra step compared to libraries like YouTube's own, it provides access to a much more curated and modern catalog. Its user interface is clean and focused on helping you quickly find the right vibe for your next video.

Visit Uppbeat

12 YouTube Music Sources — Quick Comparison

How to Choose the Right Music Source for Your Channel

Navigating the vast landscape of music licensing can feel as complex as composing a symphony itself. After exploring a dozen of the top platforms, from free archives to premium cinematic libraries, the path to finding the perfect soundtrack for your YouTube videos should be much clearer. The core takeaway is this: there is no single "best" place to find music. Instead, the right choice is a strategic one, deeply intertwined with your specific creative needs, production workflow, and long-term channel goals.

Your decision-making process is a balancing act between budget, quality, variety, and licensing simplicity. The journey of where to find music for YouTube videos often mirrors the growth of a channel itself.

Your Creator Journey: A Decision Framework

Think of your music sourcing strategy as a tiered system that evolves with you.

Phase 1: The Experimenter (Beginner/Hobbyist)
If you're just starting out, have zero budget, and are focused on learning the craft of video creation, your primary goal is to avoid copyright strikes while experimenting freely. The YouTube Audio Library is your essential first stop. It’s integrated, completely free, and a safe space to learn how to pair audio with visuals without any financial risk.

Phase 2: The Monetized Creator (Growing Channel)
Once you’re monetizing or building a serious brand, the limitations of free libraries can stifle your creative identity. This is the ideal stage to invest in a subscription. Services like Epidemic Sound and Artlist offer massive catalogs and worry-free licenses that cover all your content for a flat monthly or annual fee. This model provides immense value and creative freedom, allowing you to produce high-volume content without per-track licensing costs.

Phase 3: The Professional (Agency/Filmmaker/Brand)
For high-stakes client projects, feature films, or major brand campaigns, your needs become more specific. You might require a track with a particular emotional arc or need to license a song for broadcast television. This is where premium marketplaces like Musicbed and PremiumBeat shine. While more expensive, they offer unparalleled quality and granular licensing options tailored to specific, high-value use cases.

Finding Your Perfect Fit: Key Questions to Ask

Before committing to a service, evaluate it against your personal workflow. Ask yourself:

• How much content do I produce? A subscription is cost-effective for creators uploading multiple videos per week. If you only produce one high-end video per month, a per-track license from a marketplace like AudioJungle might be more economical.
• How important is unique sound? If you want to avoid the "stock music" sound that can sometimes plague larger, more popular libraries, a curated service is your best bet. A platform like LesFM intentionally keeps its library smaller and more focused on high-quality, mood-centric tracks, making it easier to discover hidden gems that haven't been used by thousands of other creators.
• What is my workflow like? Do you need plugins that integrate with your editing software? Or do you prefer a simple, fast web interface to quickly find, download, and drop music into your timeline? User experience is a critical factor that directly impacts your productivity. Managing your assets and posting schedule is just as vital as finding the right music. Efficient content creators often rely on YouTube scheduling tools to maintain a consistent output, which pairs perfectly with a reliable music subscription that streamlines your audio workflow.

Ultimately, your choice of music library is a foundational element of your brand's identity. The audio you choose doesn't just fill silence; it builds worlds, evokes emotion, and creates a signature style that makes viewers feel something. By aligning your music source with your budget, content volume, and creative ambition, you empower yourself to focus on what truly matters: telling compelling stories that resonate with your audience.

Ready to elevate your videos with music that truly connects? Explore the curated, mood-focused library at LesFM. We simplify the search for high-quality, royalty-free tracks, so you can find the perfect sound in minutes and get back to creating. Discover your next soundtrack at LesFM today.

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