7 Sources for the Best Background Music for Videos in 2026

Yaro

20/01/2026 9:53 AM

The right soundtrack does more than just fill the silence; it breathes life into your story, sets the emotional tone, and keeps your audience hooked from the first frame to the last. Finding the best background music for videos can transform a good project into an unforgettable one, but navigating the world of music licensing, copyright claims, and endless libraries can feel overwhelming for any creator. That’s why we've done the heavy lifting for you.

This guide cuts through the clutter to reveal the definitive sources for high-quality audio, whether you're a YouTuber, a filmmaker, or a marketing pro. We will explore the top platforms that offer everything from hand-picked cinematic scores to vast catalogs of royalty-free tunes, helping you find the perfect audio partner for your visual masterpiece. Each entry includes a clear overview, key features, pricing, and our expert take on who it's best for, ensuring you can make a confident choice.

Once you’ve found the perfect track, the next step is bringing your project together. After choosing your background music, selecting the best video editing software is crucial for seamlessly integrating it into your visual content. This curated list is designed to be your go-to resource, helping you quickly identify the ideal music library that fits your creative needs and budget. Let's dive in and discover how to make your videos sound as good as they look.

1. LesFM

For creators seeking high-quality, handcrafted scores without the overwhelming volume of massive stock libraries, LesFM stands out as a premier destination for the best background music for videos. Positioned as a boutique record label and digital licensing platform, it focuses on curating a mood-driven catalog that feels personal and purpose-built. This approach eliminates the endless scrolling common on larger platforms, allowing you to quickly find an authentic soundtrack that elevates your content.

LesFM’s core strength lies in its meticulous curation. With a library of over 2,500 tracks, it prioritizes quality over sheer quantity. The music spans essential genres like cinematic, acoustic, lofi, ambient, and jazz, all organized intuitively by mood, theme, and tempo. This makes it exceptionally efficient for filmmakers, podcasters, and marketers to pinpoint the exact atmosphere their project demands, whether it’s a high-energy corporate promo or a calming study vlog.

Why LesFM Excels for Content Creators

The platform is engineered from the ground up to address the primary pain points of modern creators: licensing complexity and copyright anxiety. LesFM’s licensing model is refreshingly straightforward, offering unlimited downloads and universal publishing rights across all its subscription tiers.

A key benefit is that any video published during an active subscription remains copyright-safe forever, even if the subscription is later canceled. This provides creators with invaluable peace of mind, knowing their past work is permanently protected from copyright claims.

Pro Tip: Use LesFM's "Featured Collections" to jumpstart your search. These curated playlists, like "Music for Vlogs" or "Corporate Motivation," are expertly compiled to match popular video themes, saving you significant time in the discovery phase.

Licensing and Pricing Structure

LesFM offers a clear, tiered pricing model designed to scale with your needs. The structure provides exceptional value, especially for creators who produce content regularly.

One-off track licenses are also available for single projects, offering flexibility for those who don't need a full subscription. All plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the service risk-free.

Strengths and Considerations

Pros:

• Curated, Mood-First Library: Simplifies the discovery process with high-quality, emotionally resonant tracks organized for quick matching.
• Creator-Centric Licensing: Unlimited downloads and clear monetization terms eliminate copyright confusion and future-proof your content.
• Exceptional Value: The low annual subscription prices deliver significant ROI for active creators compared to per-track licensing models.
• Enterprise-Grade Support: The Enterprise tier offers dedicated support, including a customer success manager and bespoke music curation.

Cons:

• Modest Catalog Size: The library of around 2,500 tracks is smaller than giant competitors, which may be a limitation for those needing extremely niche or obscure genres.
• Annual-Focused Pricing: The model is primarily built around annual subscriptions, with no long-term free tier beyond the 30-day money-back window.

Ultimately, LesFM is a powerful and refined choice for creators who value quality, simplicity, and legal peace of mind. Its thoughtful curation and creator-friendly business model make it an indispensable tool for anyone serious about finding the perfect background music for their videos.

Website: https://lesfm.net

2. Artlist

Artlist positions itself as a premium, all-in-one creative asset platform, making it a powerful choice for creators who need more than just background music. It’s built around a highly curated library of music and sound effects, emphasizing quality over sheer quantity. The platform excels in offering straightforward licensing that eliminates the complexities often associated with using music in commercial projects, making it one of the best sources for background music for videos intended for broad audiences.

What sets Artlist apart is its licensing model and optional creative bundles. The subscription grants you unlimited downloads, and any track you download is yours to use in perpetuity for the projects you create while subscribed. This means you don't have to worry about a license expiring after your subscription ends. If you're unfamiliar with the benefits of this licensing model, you can learn more about how royalty-free music simplifies the creative process in our detailed guide.

Key Features and User Experience

The user interface on Artlist is clean, modern, and highly intuitive. You can filter tracks by mood, video theme, genre, instrument, and even vocal type (male, female, or instrumental). This granular search capability helps you pinpoint the perfect track quickly.

• Perpetual Licensing: Once you download a song with an active subscription, the license to use it in your projects is yours forever.
• Unlimited Downloads: All plans offer unlimited downloads, encouraging experimentation without worrying about credit limits.
• Artlist Max: This is an all-in-one subscription that bundles music, SFX, stock footage, video templates, plugins, and even AI tools. It’s ideal for creators who want to source all their assets from a single, high-quality vendor.
• Clear Tiers: Licensing is simplified into tiers like "Social Creator" (for personal social media channels) and "Pro/Business" (which covers client work, commercial use, and broader distribution).

Pros and Cons

Artlist offers a compelling package, especially for professional creators, but it’s important to weigh its strengths and weaknesses.

Pros:

• Simple, Perpetual Licensing: Its "worry-free" licensing is a major draw for professionals and agencies.
• High-Quality, Curated Catalog: The music feels fresh and cinematic, curated from independent artists.
• All-in-One Option: Artlist Max provides a seamless workflow for sourcing footage, templates, and more.

Cons:

• Higher Price Point: Compared to some competitors, Artlist can be more expensive, especially if you only need music.
• Social Plan Limitations: The entry-level plan does not cover client work or commercial advertising.

For filmmakers, agencies, and serious YouTubers who value premium quality and straightforward legal coverage, Artlist is a top-tier investment.

Website: https://artlist.io

3. Epidemic Sound

Epidemic Sound is a powerhouse in the royalty-free music space, known for its massive in-house catalog and a licensing model built for the modern social media creator. With over 50,000 tracks and 200,000 sound effects and variations, it offers a vast and diverse library. The platform's primary goal is to simplify content creation by providing a single subscription that clears your videos for use on major platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, making it a go-to source for finding the best background music for videos destined for online audiences.

What makes Epidemic Sound unique is its direct-clearance model. Because it owns all the rights to its music, it can offer a straightforward license that covers everything in one go. Once you link your social channels to your account, any video you publish during your active subscription is cleared forever, even if you cancel later. This simple approach to rights management is especially valuable for creators who need to understand the specifics of licensing music for YouTube.

Key Features and User Experience

The Epidemic Sound platform is designed for discovery. Its search and filtering tools are robust, allowing you to browse by genre, mood, tempo, and even find tracks with or without vocals. The interface also suggests similar songs and provides "stems," which are separate audio files for different instruments, giving advanced editors more creative control.

• Extensive In-House Catalog: Access to a vast library of 50,000+ music tracks and over 200,000 SFX and variations, all owned by Epidemic Sound.
• Simple Social Clearance: Connect your YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok accounts to automatically clear your content of copyright claims.
• Perpetual Clearance: Videos published with music during an active subscription remain cleared forever on the platforms you’ve linked.
• Broad Usage Rights: Subscriptions cover use on websites, in games, apps, and podcasts, with Pro plans extending coverage to multiple channels and client work.

Pros and Cons

Epidemic Sound's creator-focused model is a huge advantage, but it's important to consider its limitations for certain types of projects.

Pros:

• Effortless Social Platform Clearance: Its core strength is making the copyright claim process on social media virtually nonexistent for subscribers.
• All-in-One Subscription: A single subscription covers a wide range of non-broadcast digital uses, simplifying budgeting.
• High-Quality, Diverse Library: The catalog is consistently updated with fresh, professional-grade music across all genres.

Cons:

• Variable Pricing Visibility: Public pricing is not always shown prominently and can vary based on account type or region.
• Broadcast Limitations: Standard plans do not cover traditional broadcast use (TV, radio), which may require a custom or enterprise-level license.

For social media influencers, YouTubers, and small businesses focused on digital marketing, Epidemic Sound offers an incredibly streamlined and worry-free solution for sourcing high-quality audio.

Website: https://www.epidemicsound.com

4. PremiumBeat (by Shutterstock)

Backed by the creative powerhouse Shutterstock, PremiumBeat offers a tightly curated and exclusive library of music and sound effects designed for professional creators. It strikes a balance between subscription-based access and single-track licensing, providing flexibility for different project scales. For those seeking some of the best background music for videos without wading through an overwhelming catalog, PremiumBeat's focus on quality and straightforward terms makes it a standout choice.

What sets PremiumBeat apart is its hybrid licensing model and its clear upgrade path for creators. You can opt for an unlimited subscription for ongoing social media or web content, or purchase a single license for larger-scale projects like broadcast or OTT advertising. This flexibility is ideal for creators whose needs evolve from personal channels to commercial client work. For those comparing different licensing costs, exploring the pricing plans of various platforms can provide valuable context.

Key Features and User Experience

PremiumBeat’s interface is professional and efficient, with robust search filters that let you sort by genre, mood, instruments, duration, and BPM. The platform also features curated playlists and collections, which are excellent for discovering new music for specific themes or video styles.

• Flexible Licensing: Offers both a subscription model for unlimited downloads and a traditional pay-per-track license for specific, high-stakes projects.
• High-Quality Catalog: The library consists of over 40,000 exclusive tracks and 16,000 SFX, ensuring that the music feels unique and isn’t overused across the internet.
• Clear Upgrade Path: The platform is structured to grow with you, from a "Creator" plan for a single monetized channel to "Standard" and "Enterprise" tiers that cover client work, digital ads, and custom needs.
• Included Shorts & Loops: Each full track purchase or download often includes short clips, loops, and alternate versions, saving significant editing time.

Pros and Cons

PremiumBeat is a strong contender for professionals who require high-quality, exclusive music and flexible licensing, but it's important to consider its specific model.

Pros:

• Exclusive and Curated Library: The music is vetted for quality, helping your content stand out.
• Hybrid Licensing Model: The choice between subscription and single licenses caters to a wide range of creators and project types.
• Straightforward Terms: Licensing is easy to understand, reducing legal confusion for commercial projects.

Cons:

• Creator Plan Limitations: The entry-level subscription is limited to personal use on one channel and does not cover client work.
• Cost for Broadcast: Projects intended for broadcast or OTT streaming often require more expensive single licenses or a custom Enterprise plan.

For freelancers, small businesses, and YouTubers who want an assured level of quality and a clear path from personal to professional use, PremiumBeat is an excellent and reliable resource.

Website: https://www.premiumbeat.com

5. Musicbed

Musicbed has carved out a niche as a premium, highly curated platform featuring music from indie artists and composers, making it a go-to for filmmakers, brands, and agencies seeking a cinematic sound. It’s less about having the largest library and more about offering emotionally resonant, top-tier tracks that feel authentic and high-end. This focus on quality makes Musicbed an exceptional source of the best background music for videos that require a distinct, powerful mood.

What sets Musicbed apart is its dual licensing model and specialized tools for professional creators. Unlike many platforms that are subscription-only, Musicbed offers both subscriptions for ongoing needs and single-song licenses for one-off projects. This flexibility caters to a wide range of users, from freelance filmmakers to large advertising agencies. Furthermore, its proprietary SyncID tool simplifies the process of clearing copyright claims on platforms like YouTube, ensuring creators can monetize their content without hassle.

Key Features and User Experience

The Musicbed interface is designed with a filmmaker's workflow in mind, featuring an aesthetic that is both inspiring and functional. The platform’s search filters are incredibly detailed, allowing you to browse by artist, genre, mood, and specific characteristics like build, crescendo, or BPM. This makes finding the perfect musical moment straightforward.

• Premium Cinematic Catalog: The library consists of hand-picked music from a roster of real, touring artists and composers, ensuring a level of quality that stands out.
• Flexible Licensing: Choose between an all-access subscription or purchasing a single-song license, providing options for different project scopes and budgets.
• SyncID™ for Claim Clearing: This tool automatically clears copyright claims on YouTube, which is a critical feature for monetized channels and brand campaigns.
• Non-Profit and Industry Discounts: Musicbed offers special pricing for non-profits, wedding filmmakers, and other specific industry segments, making premium music more accessible.

Pros and Cons

Musicbed’s focus on cinematic quality is its greatest strength, but it’s important to understand where it fits best.

Pros:

• Top-Tier, Cinematic Catalog: The music quality is prized by professional filmmakers and brands for its emotional depth and authenticity.
• Powerful Claim-Clearing Tools: SyncID™ is a massive advantage for YouTubers and advertisers who need to monetize content without interruption.
• Flexible Single-Song Licensing: The ability to license just one track is ideal for major projects or creators with infrequent needs.

Cons:

• Generally Higher Cost: As a premium service, its pricing is higher than mass-market libraries, which may be a barrier for hobbyists.
• Stricter Subscription Terms: The terms around trials and subscription changes can be less flexible than some competitors, so it's important to read the fine print.

For creators who refuse to compromise on musical quality and need a professional-grade solution, Musicbed is a clear industry leader.

Website: https://www.musicbed.com

6. Soundstripe

Soundstripe focuses on simplifying the content creation workflow, making it a go-to choice for creators and teams who prioritize speed and efficiency. It is a subscription-based service providing royalty-free music and sound effects, enhanced with powerful tools like AI search and seamless software integrations. For those looking to produce high-quality videos for social media, YouTube, or advertising, Soundstripe offers one of the best background music for videos solutions by streamlining the entire discovery and licensing process.

What truly sets Soundstripe apart is its suite of workflow-enhancing tools designed for modern creators. The subscription model is built for flexibility, scaling from individual creators to large enterprise teams, ensuring there is a plan for every need. Its auto-clearance tools for YouTube and social media channels are a significant benefit, proactively handling copyright claims and saving creators valuable time and effort.

Key Features and User Experience

Soundstripe's platform is designed to get you from search to export as quickly as possible. The interface is clean, and its AI-powered search assistant helps you find the right track faster by understanding natural language queries. Integrations with popular video editing software further embed Soundstripe into the creative process.

• Extensive Catalog: Access to over 58,000 music tracks and nearly 100,000 sound effects, with new content added weekly.
• Workflow Integrations: Direct extensions for Adobe Premiere Pro and other software allow you to search, audition, and license music without leaving your editor.
• AI-Powered Tools: Features an AI search assistant and tools to intelligently edit song length to perfectly match your video's duration.
• Auto-Clearance for Social: The platform offers tools to automatically clear copyright claims on YouTube and other social channels, simplifying content monetization.
• Flexible Tiers: Plans are designed to scale, offering solutions for solo creators, business teams with multiple users, and enterprise-level needs.

Pros and Cons

Soundstripe is a powerful tool for creators focused on a fast turnaround, but its specific plan structures and features are worth considering.

Pros:

• Fast Workflow: Integrations, playlists, and AI tools significantly speed up the content creation process.
• Flexible Scaling: Plans can easily grow with you, from a single social media channel to a multi-seat business plan.
• High-Quality, Diverse Catalog: The library is large and consistently updated with fresh music from talented artists.

Cons:

• Pricing Behind Clicks: Exact pricing details for some plans can be behind in-app pages or require contact.
• Tier Limitations: Broadcast and enterprise-level uses are reserved for the higher-tier plans, which come at a premium cost.

For agile creators, marketing teams, and agencies who need a reliable and integrated source of music and SFX, Soundstripe is an excellent choice that prioritizes workflow efficiency.

Website: https://www.soundstripe.com

7. AudioJungle (Envato Market)

AudioJungle, part of the larger Envato Market, operates on a pay-per-track model, offering a massive marketplace for individual music purchases. This approach makes it a go-to platform for creators who need a specific track for a single project without committing to a recurring subscription. It’s an ideal choice for finding background music for videos when your needs are occasional and your budget is project-based, providing a huge library with transparent licensing for one-off use.

What sets AudioJungle apart is its direct, a la carte purchasing system. Instead of unlimited downloads, you buy a license for each track you need, with clear distinctions between a "Regular" and "Extended" license. This is perfect for freelancers or small businesses who need to purchase an asset and assign the cost directly to a specific client or project, avoiding ongoing overhead. The sheer volume of music from thousands of independent artists ensures a vast selection across nearly any genre imaginable.

Key Features and User Experience

The AudioJungle interface functions like a classic digital marketplace. Users can browse trending items, curated collections, and new uploads, or use filters for genre, mood, tempo, and price to narrow down the immense catalog.

• Pay-Per-Track Model: You only pay for what you need. This is highly cost-effective for infrequent users or one-off projects.
• Transparent Licensing: AudioJungle offers clear Regular and Extended licenses. The Regular license typically covers web use (like YouTube), while the Extended license is required for apps, physical products, or broadcast advertising.
• Massive and Diverse Library: With a huge community of contributors, the variety of styles, genres, and price points is enormous, from simple jingles to epic orchestral scores.
• Music Packs and Kits: Many artists bundle tracks into themed packs or provide music kits with loops and stems, offering great value and flexibility for video editors.

Pros and Cons

AudioJungle's marketplace model offers flexibility but also requires careful attention to licensing and quality.

Pros:

• Cost-Effective for Occasional Needs: No ongoing subscription commitment makes it perfect for creators with sporadic music requirements.
• Very Wide Selection: The open marketplace means you can find niche genres and unique tracks not available on more curated platforms.
• Clear Licensing Options: The distinction between license types helps users buy exactly the coverage they need for a project.

Cons:

• Variable Quality: As a large marketplace, the quality can be inconsistent, requiring more time to find high-caliber tracks.
• Complex Licensing for Broader Use: Using a track for broadcast, a paid app, or merchandise requires a more expensive Extended license, which can be a significant cost.

For creators who prefer to buy music on a project-by-project basis and need clear, defined license terms for specific uses, AudioJungle offers an unparalleled selection and a flexible purchasing model.

Website: https://audiojungle.net

Top 7 Background Music Platforms Comparison

Press Play on Your Perfect Soundtrack

Navigating the world of audio licensing and discovering the best background music for videos can feel like an overwhelming task. However, as we've explored, the modern creator has an incredible array of powerful tools at their disposal. From the vast, all-encompassing libraries of Epidemic Sound and Artlist to the cinematic, high-end collections of Musicbed and PremiumBeat, there is a solution perfectly tailored to every project, budget, and creative workflow.

The journey doesn't end with finding a large catalog. The true art lies in making a strategic choice that aligns with your specific content needs. Your soundtrack is not just filler; it's the emotional core of your narrative, the subtle guide that tells your audience how to feel, and the professional polish that signals quality and authority.

Key Takeaways for Your Audio Strategy

Remember that the "best" platform is entirely subjective and depends on your unique goals. Before you commit to a subscription, revisit these core principles we've discussed:

• Licensing is Non-Negotiable: Always prioritize clear, comprehensive licensing. A copyright claim can derail your momentum and jeopardize your channel. Platforms like LesFM and Soundstripe simplify this process, giving you peace of mind to focus on creating.
• Mood and Genre Trump All: A technically perfect video can fall flat with the wrong music. Start your search by defining the emotional response you want to evoke. Are you aiming for inspirational, suspenseful, quirky, or calm? Use the powerful filtering tools on each site to narrow your search by mood first.
• Workflow Integration Matters: Consider how you work. Do you need stems for advanced editing (like those from Musicbed)? Do you prefer a simple, all-in-one subscription (like Artlist)? Or do you value a highly curated, easily searchable collection for quick turnarounds (like LesFM)? Choose a service that reduces friction in your creative process, rather than adding to it.

Pro-Tip: Before finalizing your choice, always listen to the track alongside your rough cut. A song that sounds great on its own might clash with the pacing of your edits or the tone of your voiceover. Test multiple options to find the perfect synergistic fit.

Your Actionable Next Steps

Choosing the right music library is an investment in your brand's quality and your audience's experience. You've now seen how each service caters to a different type of creator, from the solo YouTuber to the full-scale creative agency.

If you are a content creator, small business owner, or freelancer who values a personal touch and an affordable, straightforward license, a curated library like LesFM is an excellent starting point. It removes the decision fatigue of sifting through millions of tracks, offering high-quality, mood-focused music that's easy to browse and implement.

For those with larger-scale, diverse projects, a comprehensive platform like Epidemic Sound or Artlist provides the sheer volume and variety needed to tackle any creative challenge. Ultimately, the best background music for your videos is the one that not only fits your budget and legal needs but also elevates your storytelling, captivates your viewers, and makes your content truly unforgettable. Don't just add sound; create a sonic experience.

Ready to find that perfect track without the hassle? Explore the curated, mood-driven library at LesFM. Our mission is to provide high-quality, royalty-free music with the simplest licensing possible, so you can focus on creating amazing videos. Discover your next great soundtrack today at LesFM.