Introduction
With the ever-growing demand for high-quality, royalty-free music and sounds online, there is an abundance of stock music software available these days. However, not all platforms are created equal. To stand out in this crowded field, providers must offer extensive libraries, flexible licensing, great search tools and excellent customer service. In this blog, we comprehensively review 15 of the best and most popular stock music platforms currently on the market.
Methods of Evaluation
To determine the top 15 stock music providers, we evaluated each company based on the following criteria: catalog size and quality, licensing options offered, ease of navigating the platform, and popularity signals like backlinks, traffic, and keyword trend data. Having a vast collection of tracks across genres is important, but the platform must also make it easy for users to find what they need. Customer reviews and industry reputation were also factored into the rankings.
1. Themeforest
ThemeForest is one of the largest marketplaces for premium WordPress themes and website templates. Founded in 2008, ThemeForest currently hosts over 70,000 creative assets and has served over 6 million customers worldwide. In addition to WordPress themes, ThemeForest also offers HTML templates, Bootstrap templates, and other creative website building components.
Pros: Some key advantages of using assets from ThemeForest include:
– Huge selection of high quality, professional themes and templates across many genres and industries.
– Royalty-free commercial use upon one-time purchase, no ongoing licensing fees.
– Many items are built with frameworks like Bootstrap, Elementor or WordPress Gutenberg for quick deployment.
– Robust support community of developers and users for help with items.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that as a marketplace, quality can vary significantly across items. It takes research to identify trusts designers and evaluate themes thoroughly before use in a live project.
Pricing: Pricing on ThemeForest is on a per-item basis, ranging from $15 for basic themes/plugins up to $200-300 for more feature-rich premium themes and templates. Developers set their own pricing based on features included, support offered and popularity/sales history of their works.
Some key stats about ThemeForest include:
– Hosts over 70,000 creative assets including themes, templates, plugins and other items.
– Served over 6 million customers globally since 2008.
– Features work from over 25,000 designers and creative professionals.
– Averages over 1 million product downloads per month.
– Top selling items have over 500,000+ downloads each.
2. Shutterstock
Shutterstock is one of the largest collections of stock music in the world. Founded in 2003, Shutterstock has grown to offer over 38 million high-quality music tracks that can be licensed for both commercial and personal use. With tracks from major labels as well as independent artists, Shutterstock has built a reputation as a top resource for finding the perfect track.
Pros: Some key advantages of using Shutterstock for stock music include:
– Most recognized brand with strong search and browsing tools to find the right track
– Massive catalog size with tracks suitable for all genres and project types
– Flexible licensing options for both one-time and subscription use
Cons: The main disadvantage is that compared to some niche stock music platforms, Shutterstock has a more generic selection that may not cater to extremely specialized music needs.
Pricing: Shutterstock offers both one-time and subscription licensing plans. One-time licenses start at $39+ while subscription plans begin at $49 per month for unlimited downloads and start at $99 per month for additional usage rights.
Some key stats about Shutterstock’s music collection include:
– Over 38 million royalty-free music tracks available
– Tracks from major labels like Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group
– Independent artists also contribute tracks directly to the Shutterstock library
– New tracks added daily
3. 123RF
123RF is an online stock media platform that offers millions of royalty-free stock photos, vectors, illustrations, footage and audio files. Founded in 2005, 123RF has grown to become one of the largest libraries of professionally shot stock content in the world.
Pros: Some key advantages of using 123RF include:
– Large collection of high quality stock video, audio and images to choose from across many categories and genres
– New digitally shot and licensed content added to the library on a daily basis
– Affordable pricing with options for individual asset purchases or bulk plans and volumes discounts
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that since 123RF provides non-exclusive licenses, your images may end up in other projects as well.
Pricing: 123RF offers flexible pricing plans including:
– Pay-as-you-go individual credit purchases starting from $1 per asset
– Annual and volume bulk purchase plans with discounts on list prices
Some key facts about 123RF include:
– Over 100 million royalty-free digital assets in multiple file formats
– New content added daily across categories like photography, vectors, footage etc.
– User base of over 5 million professionals worldwide
4. Jamendo
Jamendo is a Belgium-based music streaming and download platform that offers thousands of tracks from independent artists under Creative Commons licenses. Founded in 2004, Jamendo allows both non-commercial and commercial use of its music catalogue through various subscription plans.
Pros: Key advantages of using Jamendo include:
– Thousands of CC licensed tracks from indie artists available for both non-commercial and commercial use
– Covers many genres and moods, allowing for finding just the right track for any project or content
– Free non-commercial use option perfect for YouTube videos, podcasts, and other non-profit content
Cons: The main disadvantage is the limited track selection compared to some other stock music platforms. As an independent artist platform, it won’t have as extensive a catalogue as subscription services from major labels.
Pricing: Jamendo offers the following paid plans for commercial use beyond non-commercial Creative Commons licensing:
– Single Track License – $1-3 per track
– Monthly Subscription – Starts at $9/month for up to 30 tracks
– Annual Subscription – Starts at $79/year for up to 300 tracks
Some key stats about Jamendo:
– Catalogue of over 600,000 tracks from 40,000+ independent artists
– Covers a wide variety of genres and moods for targeted searches
– 15+ years in the music licensing industry
– Available on desktop and mobile through websites and apps
5. Payhip
Payhip is a digital marketplace that allows creators to sell their digital content such as stock music, audio files, images, video and online courses. Founded in 2011 and based in New York, Payhip has grown to support over 100,000 active sellers worldwide.
Pros: Some key advantages of using Payhip:
– Easy to set up a digital storefront with no technical skills required
– Flexible direct purchase options that allow customers to buy files individually or in bundles
– Creators retain a substantial portion of sales as royalties
– Browse and discover content from independent creators
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that Payhip charges a payment processing fee of 5-10% per transaction compared to other marketplaces.
Pricing: Payhip offers a free basic plan as well as premium paid plans starting at $9.99 per month that remove processing fees and provide more advanced analytics and features.
Some key stats about Payhip:
– Over 100,000 active sellers globally
– Supports the sale of audio, video, images and online courses
– Creators retain up to 80% royalties from sales
– Processed over $150 million in digital sales to date
6. AudioJungle
AudioJungle is one of the largest stock music marketplaces online with over 1.9 million royalty-free music tracks and audio files available. Founded in 2008, AudioJungle allows musicians and sound engineers to sell their original music which provides buyers with a huge catalog of tracks to choose from for a variety of media projects.
Pros: Some key advantages of using AudioJungle include:
– One of the largest selections of royalty-free music available with a huge catalog to choose from
– Great browsing and search tools to help find the perfect track for any project or genre
– Affordable pricing starting from just $1 per track
– Option to license tracks royalty-free or pay artist commission depending on needs
Cons: The main disadvantage is that while the catalog is large, finding the perfect track can still require sifting through multiple options. The search and browse tools help but narrowing down options requires spending time exploring different artists and genres.
Pricing: AudioJungle offers tracks starting from as little as $1 for a Standard License. For commercial use of a track a Standard License must be purchased. For non-commercial use (such as in a student film or presentation) a royalty-free Extended Preview license can be downloaded for free before committing to purchase.
Some key stats about AudioJungle:
– Over 1.9 million royalty-free music tracks and sound effects available
– New tracks added daily so the catalog is constantly growing
– Over 500,000 contributing artists and sound engineers
– Both royalty-free and commission licensing options available
7. Pond5
Pond5 is one of the oldest and largest independent stock content marketplaces. Founded in 2000, the company has grown to have one of the most extensive online libraries of stock footage, photos, audio and other digital assets available for commercial licensing. With millions of high quality stock videos, audio tracks, images and other items in its catalogue, Pond5 has become a go-to source for creative and editorial professionals worldwide.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of using Pond5 include:
– Huge selection of stock music with tracks from both independent and major producers like Universal Music Publishing Group.
– Robust search and filtering tools make it easy to find the perfect audio or video assets for any project.
-HD/4K video formats and high quality audio ensure assets are suitable for most commercial uses.
-Competitive pricing model and ability to purchase single-track licenses.
Cons: The main potential disadvantage is that Pond5’s library, while massive, is not as extensive as some competitors like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock in certain niche categories. Finding very specialized assets may require additional searching.
Pricing: Pond5 offers both annual and monthly subscription plans as well as single-track downloads. Subscription plans start at $99 per month and provide unlimited downloads of SD video clips. HD/4K videos each have additional royalty-free download fees added to subscriptions. Single audio tracks can be purchased from around $30 each.
Some key stats about Pond5 include:
– Over 125 million royalty-free videos, images, audio tracks and other digital assets available for licensing.
– Over 50,000 new assets added to the site each month.
– 10 million monthly visitors to the Pond5 website.
8. Bigstock
Bigstock is a leading provider of stock photos, images, vectors and stock footage videos. Founded in 2000, Bigstock currently hosts over 60 million royalty-free assets across multiple categories including photos, vectors, illustrations and videos. With assets covering a wide range of topics from lifestyle and travel to business and technology, Bigstock aims to offer photographers, designers and content creators a broad selection of quality stock assets.
Pros: Some key advantages of using Bigstock include:
– Large library of royalty-free assets across photos, videos, illustrations and vectors
– Affordable pricing plans and subscription options suited for all budgets
– Simple licensing and download procedures without any hidden costs or ongoing restrictions
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the asset selection may not be as extensive as some competitors who have been in the industry longer. However, Bigstock is constantly adding new assets to expand their catalog.
Pricing: Bigstock offers flexible pricing plans including:
– Single image/footage downloads starting from $1
– Subscription plans from $29.99/month for individuals and $149/month for teams
Some key stats about Bigstock include:
– Over 60 million royalty-free stock assets available
– Assets cover 200+ categories and niches
– Customers in over 150 countries
– Simple licensing options with both credit and royalty-free models
9. PremiumBeat
PremiumBeat is a leading provider of royalty-free music and sound effects for use in videos, films, apps and other media. Founded in 2007, PremiumBeat has grown to one of the most popular destinations for finding high-quality stock music and sound effects that can be used both commercially and non-commercially. With a library of over 150,000 tracks and growing, PremiumBeat aims to provide creators with an extensive selection of exclusive music to suit any project.
Pros: Some of the main advantages of using PremiumBeat include:
– Exceptional production quality music professionally composed for all types of projects
– Large catalog that constantly receives new releases so there is always fresh content
– Affordable subscription plans for unlimited royalty-free downloads
– Very user friendly website that makes browsing and searching easy
– Excellent customer support to help with any questions or issues
Cons: One potential downside is that the monthly subscription fees may be more expensive than one-time license fees from some competitors. However, PremiumBeat offers significant value through constant updates and unlimited downloads for the subscription period.
Pricing: PremiumBeat offers flexible monthly and annual subscription plans starting at $29 per month for individuals. Enterprise and educator plans are also available. All subscriptions include unlimited royalty-free downloads and commercial usage rights for the term of the subscription.
Some key stats about PremiumBeat include:
– Over 150,000 royalty-free tracks available including music and sound effects
– New tracks added daily across many genres
– Used by over 2 million customers globally
– Support for both commercial and non-commercial usage
– Trusted brand with an ‘A+’ rating from the BBB
10. Epidemic Sound
Epidemic Sound is a leading platform for royalty free music. Founded in Sweden in 2009, Epidemic Sound has over 40,000 tracks from top independent artists worldwide. Their mission is to provide creators with high-quality, affordable music to help them focus on their craft. With plans starting from $12.95/month, Epidemic Sound gives creators access to an immense library of professional music for all media types and distribution channels.
Pros: Some key advantages of Epidemic Sound include:
– Excellent curated music from top independent producers worldwide
– All tracks are fully cleared for all media types & distribution channels
– Unlimited streaming & downloads with subscription plans
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the monthly subscription model requires an ongoing payment each month to maintain access to the library. For some creators, a one-time purchase of royalty free music may be preferred.
Pricing: Epidemic Sound offers several subscription tiers for creators. The basic Unlimited plan starts at $12.95/month and provides unlimited access to their full music library. For $16.95/month, the Unlimited Plus plan also includes over 90,000 sound effects. Epidemic Sound also offers plans tailored for businesses, agencies and YouTube Multi-Channel Networks.
Some key stats about Epidemic Sound include:
– Over 40,000 tracks in their library from independent artists worldwide
– Plans start from $12.95/month for their Unlimited plan
– All tracks are fully cleared for all media types and distribution channels including YouTube, TikTok, etc.
– Over 90,000 professionally produced sound effects available
11. Videvo
Videvo is a leading stock media provider with over 300,000 royalty-free videos, images, and music tracks available for download. Founded in 2006, Videvo has become one of the largest online sources of stock footage and audio with an extensive library covering a wide range of genres, categories and collections.
Pros: Some key advantages of using Videvo include:
– Extensive library of stock footage, images and royalty free music for any project
– Affordable pricing models for single clips, multi-track songs and full song licenses
– User-friendly interface that makes it easy to find the perfect assets to fit any budget or project needs
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that the library, while extensive, may not have the exact footage or audio needed for very specialized projects. Customers would need to search alternatives if a perfect match cannot be found.
Pricing: Videvo offers flexible pricing plans including single clip licenses starting from $15, multi-track song licenses from $29 and full song licenses from $59. Volume discounts are also available for commercial projects needing multiple assets.
Some key stats about Videvo include:
– Over 300,000 royalty-free stock video clips available in 4K and HD resolutions
– Over 180,000 royalty-free stock music and sound effect files
– Footage categorized into over 90 categories for easy searching
– New footage and music added daily
12. Mixkit
Mixkit is a website that provides free stock video footage, images, sound effects and music that can be used both commercially and non-commercially. Founded in 2016, Mixkit has quickly grown to become one of the top sources for royalty-free media online with a library of over 100,000 assets across various categories like footage, photos, and audio.
Pros: Some key advantages of using Mixkit include:
– Royalty-free usage means no ongoing licence fees which makes it very cost effective
– Huge library of assets to choose from ensures finding the right footage/music is easy
– New content added regularly keeps the library fresh and up-to-date
– Both personal and commercial use allowed providing flexibility
– Affordable pricing tiers for extended commercial or bundle downloads
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the watermarking of free assets which limits their usability for final commercial products and videos. However, this is understandable given Mixkit’s freemium business model.
Pricing: Mixkit offers a freemium model where basic usage of assets is completely free with attribution. For extended commercial use and downloads without watermarks, they offer affordable monthly and annual pricing plans starting from $8/month.
Some key stats about Mixkit include:
– Over 100,000 royalty-free assets in their library across video, audio, photos etc.
– New assets added weekly across different genres and moods
– Assets can be used both for personal and commercial projects
– Freemium model with free basic assets and affordable pricing tiers for extended commercial use
13. Motion Array
Motion Array is a stock media marketplace founded in 2011 that provides royalty-free templates, footage, photos, music and more for creative professionals. With over 30,000 assets across video, audio, photos and templates, Motion Array aims to be a one-stop shop for all media needs.
Pros: Some key advantages of using Motion Array include:
– Large catalog of high quality royalty-free footage, photos, templates and music.
– Affordable pricing plans for individuals and teams.
– Royalty-free legal use of downloaded assets for commercial purposes.
– Easy to search/download/download assets right into Adobe creative apps.
– Free assets and discounts available through referral programs.
Cons: The main disadvantage is the limited number of 4K footage assets compared to sources specializing only in stock footage.
Pricing: Motion Array offers the following subscription plans:
– Individual Plan: $15/month – For solo creators and includes 1 user.
– Teams Plan: $25/month – Includes 3 users and is suitable for small teams or agencies.
– Agency/Commercial Plan: Custom pricing – For larger teams, agencies and commercial use.
Some key stats about Motion Array include:
– Over 30,000 royalty-free media assets including templates, footage, photos and music.
– Over 15,000 indie music tracks across many genres, eras and moods.
– Used by over 5 million creative professionals globally for their projects.
– Offers affordable subscription plans starting from $15/month.
– Integrates with major editing/design tools like Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop etc.
14. AudioNetwork
AudioNetwork is a leading production music library with over 200,000 tracks from major independent record labels. Founded in 1996, AudioNetwork has offices in London, Los Angeles, and New York. Their music has been used in thousands of TV shows, films, ads, and other productions.
Pros: Some key advantages of AudioNetwork include:
– Excellent production quality from major independent labels worldwide
– All tracks are extensively cleared for global broadcast & web use
– No-cost evaluation option prior to subscribing
Cons: The main potential disadvantage is the subscription model requires an ongoing fee, however the free trial helps evaluate if it fits your needs and budget.
Pricing: AudioNetwork offers annual subscriptions starting at $499/year for individuals. They also have team and enterprise plans ideal for production companies and studios.
Some key stats about AudioNetwork:
– Over 200,000 tracks in their library
– Music from major independent labels worldwide
– All tracks are cleared for global broadcast and web use
– Offices in London, Los Angeles, and New York
15. AudioMicro
AudioMicro is a leading provider of royalty-free stock music and sound effects. Founded in 2005 and based in Los Angeles, AudioMicro has over 300,000 high-quality tracks from top artists and sound studios available for commercial license. Their catalog includes music for various genres and moods as well as sound effects to enhance any multimedia project.
Pros: Some key advantages of using AudioMicro include:
– Large selection of tracks across many genres and moods
– Quality tracks from renowned artists and studios
– Regular updates with new content added weekly
– Flexible commercial licensing options for various budgets and projects
– Sound effects library for enhancing video, games and other multimedia
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that as a subscription-based service, ongoing costs are incurred each month/year unlike a one-time purchase of tracks. However, the flexibility of pay-as-you-go plans help address this.
Pricing: AudioMicro offers flexible pricing plans to suit different budgets and needs. This includes pay-as-you-go credits where tracks can be purchased individually, and subscription plans starting from $29.99/month for an individual plan up to enterprise plans for large companies and studios.
Some key stats about AudioMicro include:
– Large library of over 300,000 tracks and growing
– Tracks from GRAMMY winning artists and Hollywood’s top sound studios
– Weekly additions of new tracks to the library
– Flexible pricing plans including pay-as-you-go and monthly/annual subscriptions
Conclusion
Whether you’re a YouTube creator, video producer, podcaster or anyone else in need of high-quality, royalty-free music – this guide covers the cream of the crop in stock music software. While every platform has its pros and cons, the top 15options reviewed here consistently deliver on catalog, customer service and value. Use this as a starting point to explore each company and find the best fit for your budget and media needs in 2023.