Royalty-free music lets you use a track in every episode without paying per play or per download. You pay once through a subscription or one-time purchase, and the license covers all future use. For podcasters who publish weekly, this model saves thousands of dollars compared to traditional licensing. The challenge is knowing which sources deliver broadcast-quality tracks and which ones recycle the same generic loops.
This guide covers the top free and paid libraries, explains how licensing works in practice, and explores AI-generated music as a newer alternative.
Free royalty-free music libraries
These platforms offer tracks at no cost, though quality and licensing terms vary:
- Free Music Archive (FMA): Thousands of tracks across genres. Each track lists its Creative Commons license type. Look for CC BY licenses that require only attribution in your show notes.
- YouTube Audio Library: Over 1,500 free tracks and sound effects. Despite the name, these tracks are cleared for podcast use. Filter by mood, genre, and duration.
- Pixabay Music: A growing library of free-to-use tracks with no attribution required. Quality ranges from amateur to semi-professional.
- ccMixter: Community-created remixes and original tracks. Excellent for finding unique sounds that other podcasters have not discovered.
- Musopen: Classical music recordings in the public domain. Perfect for educational or storytelling podcasts that want orchestral backgrounds.
Free libraries work well for new podcasters with limited budgets. The trade-off is that popular free tracks appear on many podcasts, so your intro might sound identical to another show in your niche.
Paid royalty-free music platforms
Paid platforms offer higher production quality, exclusive licensing options, and better search tools:
- Epidemic Sound ($13/month personal plan): Over 40,000 tracks and 90,000 sound effects. Tracks are cleared for all platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The search engine lets you filter by mood, energy level, and BPM.
- Artlist ($14.99/month): Universal license that covers podcasts, YouTube, and social media. New tracks added daily. The interface groups songs by mood and video theme.
- Musicbed ($9.99/month for podcasts): Curated library that favors cinematic and indie tracks. Strong selection for storytelling and narrative podcasts.
- PremiumBeat by Shutterstock (per-track pricing from $49): Higher per-track cost, but every track meets broadcast standards. Good for podcasters who need only 2–3 tracks total.
- Soundstripe ($11.25/month billed annually): Unlimited downloads across music, sound effects, and video assets. Includes a stems feature that lets you isolate drums, bass, or melody.
Paid libraries typically cost $120–$180 per year. For a weekly podcast, that breaks down to about $2.30–$3.50 per episode.
How royalty-free licensing actually works
"Royalty-free" does not mean "free." It means you pay no ongoing royalties after the initial purchase. Watch for:
- Scope of use: Some licenses cover only personal projects. If your podcast earns ad revenue or sponsorship money, you need a commercial license.
- Platform restrictions: Verify that the license covers podcast distribution platforms. A license for YouTube may not extend to Spotify.
- Exclusivity: Standard licenses are non-exclusive, meaning other creators can use the same track. Exclusive licenses cost more but guarantee nobody else uses your intro music.
- Attribution requirements: Some free licenses require you to credit the artist in your show notes or episode description. Failure to attribute can void the license.
- Modification rights: Check whether you can edit, loop, or remix the track. Most podcast-friendly licenses allow trimming and fading.
Keep a spreadsheet that logs every track you use, its source, license type, and expiration date. This protects you if a platform ever challenges your usage.
AI-generated music for podcasts
AI music generation is the newest option for podcasters who want unique, license-free tracks. Tools like Suno, Udio, and Soundraw let you describe the mood, tempo, and genre you want, then generate original music in seconds.
Benefits of AI-generated music:
- Fully original tracks that no other podcast uses
- No ongoing subscription fees for most tools
- Unlimited regeneration until you find the right sound
- Consistent style across multiple tracks for your show
Limitations to consider:
- Quality varies. Some outputs sound polished; others sound synthetic.
- Licensing terms differ by platform. Some grant full commercial rights; others retain ownership.
- The legal landscape for AI music is evolving. Check terms of service before using generated tracks commercially.
AI music works best for podcasters who want a unique sound identity without the budget for custom compositions.
How Jellypod helps
Jellypod's music features generate custom intro and outro music tailored to your show's genre and tone. The platform handles licensing automatically so you never worry about copyright issues. Music is mixed with your voice at proper levels and applied consistently across every episode, saving the hours you would spend searching libraries and editing audio.
Final thoughts
Royalty-free music libraries give podcasters access to professional tracks at a fraction of traditional licensing costs. Free libraries work for tight budgets, paid subscriptions offer better quality and selection, and AI tools provide unique options for those who want something original. Whatever source you choose, keep a licensing record and verify that your tracks are cleared for podcast distribution.
