# Where to Get Music for Your Videos Legally

Free and paid music libraries compared: what they cost, what the license covers, and where copyright claims can still happen.

URL: https://shortformkit.com/royalty-free-music-for-videos/
Updated: 2026-10-14

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## In short

- **A song you like is not a song you may use.** Downloading a track from YouTube or Spotify gives you no right to put it in your video. Expect a copyright claim, muted audio or the ad money going to the label.

- **Free options exist**: the YouTube Audio Library, Pixabay Music and Uppbeat's free plan. Read the license of each track before you publish.

- **For regular uploads a subscription is easier**: Epidemic Sound and Uppbeat let you add your channel, so claims on their music get released.

- **Client work and ads need a commercial plan.** The cheapest plans usually cover only your own channels.

## Why you can't just use a song

Songs and music videos are protected by copyright, usually owned by a label and a publisher. On YouTube, Content ID recognises the track and the owner can block the video, mute it or take the ad revenue. TikTok and Instagram let personal accounts use songs from their in-app library inside the app, but that license stays in the app. Business accounts on TikTok are limited to the Commercial Music Library. As soon as you export a video with a song and upload it elsewhere, or use it for a brand, you need a license of your own.

That is also why Shortform Kit does not download music: songs, music videos and copyrighted sounds are blocked on our downloaders.

## The options compared

| Library | Price | What the license covers | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Audio Library | free | License differs per track; some need a credit in the description. Check the track's terms before using it outside YouTube. | YouTube videos on a budget |
| Pixabay Music | free | Pixabay Content License: free use without credit, but not as a standalone file. Some tracks are registered in Content ID, so a claim can still come; keep the license. | Small projects, tests |
| Uppbeat | free: 3 downloads a month; paid from $6.99 a month | Free and Essentials: your own channels (free needs a credit). Pro ($14.99) adds client projects and commercial digital use. | YouTubers starting out |
| [Epidemic Sound](https://www.epidemicsound.com/) | Creator €11.99 a month billed yearly (€143.88), 30 days free | Creator: social media, podcasts, websites, sponsored posts on your channels, monetization on 1 channel per platform. Pro (€16.99): digital ads, client work, 3 channels. | Creators who post every week |
| [Artlist](https://artlist.io/) | Music & SFX from €9.99 a month | Personal and commercial use of music and sound effects; bigger plans add footage, templates and AI tools. | Editors who also need sound effects |
| TikTok Commercial Music Library | free inside TikTok | Cleared for business use on TikTok, in the app. | Brand accounts on TikTok |

Prices as shown on the official pricing pages on 22 October 2026 (in Europe in euros, Uppbeat in US dollars), without VAT. They change often and can differ by country.

## Which one should you pick?

- **One video, no budget:** YouTube Audio Library or Pixabay. Save the license page with the file.

- **A channel you post to every week:** a subscription. [Epidemic Sound](https://www.epidemicsound.com/) and Uppbeat are the most creator-focused, [Artlist](https://artlist.io/) is strong if you also want sound effects. We use Artlist's sound effects in our own edits.

- **Client videos or ads:** a plan that names client work and ads (Epidemic Sound Pro, Uppbeat Pro, Artlist's commercial license). The cheapest creator plans don't cover them.

## How to avoid copyright claims

- Keep the license or download receipt for every track, next to the project file.

- Add your channel in the library's dashboard (often called safelist or clearing) before you publish.

- If a claim comes anyway, dispute it in YouTube Studio with the license. Claims on licensed library music are usually released.

- Keep music clearly below the voice and check the finished mix with our [LUFS meter](https://shortformkit.com/lufs-meter/) and add the song with [add music to video](https://shortformkit.com/add-music-to-video/).

## FAQ

**Can I use a song if I credit the artist?**
No. A credit is not a license. You need permission from the rights holders or a license from a library that covers your use.

**Is the YouTube Audio Library free to use on TikTok or Instagram?**
Often yes, but the license differs per track and some need a credit. Open the track's details and follow its terms.

**What is the cheapest legal music for a YouTube channel?**
Free libraries like the YouTube Audio Library, Pixabay Music and Uppbeat's free plan. For weekly uploads, paid plans start around €7 to €12 a month when billed yearly.

**Can I download music with Shortform Kit?**
No. Songs, music videos and copyrighted sounds are blocked. Use a music library that licenses the track for your video.


Source: Shortform Kit (https://shortformkit.com/royalty-free-music-for-videos/). Free, no login.