Royalty-free music for podcasts
Boost your podcast’s sonic identity with royalty-free music. Create an account today and explore over 50,000 curated tracks and over 200,000 sound effects, available for use within your license across all major platforms.
Selected music for podcasts
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Create free accountWhat is royalty-free music for podcasts?
Royalty-free music for podcasts is audio that you can legally use in your show by paying a single fee or subscription, which eliminates the need to pay ongoing royalties.
The royalty-free model provides high-quality background audio and intro themes. It also ensures your show remains legally compliant across all major distribution platforms. When you choose royalty-free music, you secure the right to use a track in any content published during your subscription as many times as you want. For example, a podcaster might use the same upbeat jazz track for every episode intro for three years.
You would not owe additional performance fees during that time. The royalty-free model creates a consistent sonic identity for your show while keeping your production budget predictable.
Why do content creators need copyright licensing?
Content creators need a copyright license for your podcast to legally use intellectual property, such as music or sound effects, in your digital productions. Securing these rights is essential to prevent your content from being removed and to avoid monetization loss.
Proper licensing ensures your podcast meets the compliance standards of platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, which use automated systems to detect and flag unlicensed audio. If you are learning how to start a podcast, understanding these legal requirements is a critical first step.
How does a subscription work for podcast music?
A subscription for podcast music gives you unlimited access to a full catalog of royalty-free tracks for a recurring fee, so you don’t have to license every track individually. This approach is cost-effective for creators who produce multiple episodes, offering full legal protection for your cleared content while providing the creative freedom to experiment with different sounds.
With a subscription, you can explore the best music for podcasts and download unlimited options to find the perfect fit, removing the administrative hassle of managing individual licenses.
What is the difference between royalty-free music and public domain music?
Royalty-free music is a professionally produced and curated asset that grants you specific legal usage rights through a paid license. Public domain music, on the other hand, consists of works with expired copyrights that are free for anyone to use without a license. While public domain tracks cost nothing, they often lack the production quality of modern music and can come with complex attribution requirements.
Read more below.
Feature | Royalty-free music | Public domain music |
|---|---|---|
Cost | Single fee or subscription | Free |
Audio quality | Professional and modern | Varies, often older recordings |
Legal safety | Clear usage rights included | May have complex legal limitations |
Selection | Large, curated catalogs | Limited to works with expired copyrights |
Is royalty-free music right for you?
Best for:
- Podcasters who plan to monetize their content on platforms like YouTube or Spotify.
- Creators who want a professional, consistent sound without worrying about legal takedowns.
- Shows that require a high volume of tracks, such as daily news or narrative storytelling podcasts.
And if you're a small or medium-sized business needing to clear content for your organization, our Business plan provides the perfect solution to scale your content.
Avoid if:
- You are producing a private project that will never be uploaded to the internet.
- You have a zero-dollar budget and are comfortable with the limited selection and quality of public domain recordings.
How to find the right music for your podcast?
Finding the right music for your podcast involves matching the mood of your content with the right audio, which you can do using advanced search filters to sort tracks by genre, theme, and energy. For example, you can instantly find tracks tailored for a crime podcast or something more upbeat for a comedy show.
To build a professional audio experience, consider these core elements:
- Intro & outro music: Find a catchy, memorable track that signals the start and end of your show.
- Background music: Use subtle, non-distracting audio that sits underneath your narration.
- Transition stingers: Use short musical cues to move listeners between different segments
- Podcast sound effects: Add texture and depth to your storytelling with high-quality podcast sound effects.
- Segment themes: Assign unique tracks to recurring segments to give your show a dynamic feel.
Effective podcast editing involves layering these elements to guide the listener’s journey, build tension, and emphasize key moments in your narrative.
How to start a podcast
Podcasting has divided audiences as its popularity rocketed. If you want to know how to start a podcast, here’s the info.
Copyright, the rules, and where to find the best tracks
Learn about copyright, how to use tracks, and where to find the best music for your podcast.
Level up with sonic branding
Make sure the content you and your brand creates is in line with your vision and mission with sonic branding.
Frequently asked questions
How do you avoid copyright on a podcast?
To avoid copyright issues, you must ensure you have the legal right to use every piece of audio in your episode. This is typically achieved by using royalty-free music from a reputable provider. Avoid using “fair use” as a primary strategy, as it is often legally complex and does not prevent automated takedowns.
How to legally play music on your podcast?
You can legally play music by subscribing to a service that provides synchronization licenses for your content. This license covers the right to “sync” the music with your audio recording and distribute it online. Always check that your license covers the specific platforms where you host your show, such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
Can I use popular music if I give credit to the artist?
Giving credit does not replace the need for a legal license to use copyrighted music. Even if you mention the artist’s name in your show notes, you can still face copyright claims and legal action. Royalty-free music services provide the necessary legal protection that attribution alone cannot offer.
What kind of license do I need for a podcast?
You need a sync license to legally use music in a podcast, which covers the right to synchronize the audio with your visual or audio production and distribute it online. A subscription with Epidemic Sound covers this for you. For more details, you can read about our music licensing.
Can I use the music if I cancel my subscription?
Content published during an active subscription remains cleared forever. However, you cannot use the music in new content after your subscription has been canceled.
Which Epidemic Sound plan is right for my podcast?
Choosing the right plan depends on how you create. For most podcasters, our plans cover all your needs:
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Creator plan: Perfect if you're creating content for your own personal channels and don't run any client work or business-related productions.
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Pro plan: Best for professionals creating commercial content. This covers you for client work and monetizing your content on major platforms.
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Business plan: Ideal if you need to scale up. This plan is for small to midsize businesses and agencies that need more than one user account, and clearance for digital ads. If you're running a podcast network or a production company, discover the Business plan.
Need a custom solution for broadcast, TV, or large-scale use? Contact our team to learn about our Enterprise offering.