In the world of content creation, music plays a huge role. Whether you’re making YouTube videos, podcasts, Instagram Reels, or even ads, the right music can make your content stand out. But using popular songs without permission can get your video taken down or even lead to legal trouble. That’s where Epidemic Sound comes in.
Epidemic Sound is a music licensing platform that offers high-quality royalty-free music and sound effects. It helps creators use music without worrying about copyright issues. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what Epidemic Sound is, how it works, and why so many creators trust it.
Table of Contents
What is Epidemic Sound?
Epidemic Sound is a company based in Sweden that provides a large library of music and sound effects. It was founded in 2009 and has become one of the most trusted sources for royalty-free music.
With over 35,000 tracks and more than 90,000 sound effects, Epidemic Sound gives content creators the tools they need to make their projects sound great. The platform is used by YouTubers, social media influencers, filmmakers, advertisers, and even big companies.
What Does “Royalty-Free” Mean?
“Royalty-free” means you can use the music without paying every time someone listens to it. With Epidemic Sound, you pay a monthly or yearly fee, and then you can use as much music as you want from their library.
How Does Epidemic Sound Work?
Epidemic Sound works on a subscription basis. You sign up, pay a monthly or yearly fee, and then you get access to their full music and sound effect library.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Epidemic Sound
- Sign Up: Create an account on their website.
- Choose a Plan: Pick the right subscription plan based on how you use music.
- Browse Music: Search or explore songs by mood, genre, or instruments.
- Download Music: Once you find a song you like, you can download it.
- Use in Content: Add the music to your video, podcast, or other project.
- Publish Without Worry: Since the music is covered by your subscription, you won’t get copyright claims.
Who Should Use Epidemic Sound?
Epidemic Sound is perfect for anyone who creates content and wants to add music without legal problems.
YouTubers and Video Creators
YouTube is strict when it comes to music. If you use copyrighted music, your video might get muted or removed. Epidemic Sound helps avoid that. They even offer direct integration with YouTube, so you can connect your channel and automatically clear your videos.
Social Media Influencers
Whether you’re posting on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, background music makes your posts more engaging. Epidemic Sound gives you music that fits different moods like happy, calm, dramatic, or energetic.
Podcasters
Podcasts are more interesting when they have theme music or sound effects. Epidemic Sound has music perfect for intros, outros, and background audio.
Businesses and Advertisers
If you’re making ads or company videos, using high-quality music makes a big difference. Epidemic Sound gives businesses access to a wide range of professional tracks that can be used in marketing.
Epidemic Sound Subscription Plans
Epidemic Sound offers different plans depending on your needs. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Personal Plan
- Best for YouTubers, influencers, and hobby creators.
- Covers content on your personal social media channels.
- Price: Around $15/month (if paid yearly).
Commercial Plan
- Designed for freelancers, agencies, or small businesses.
- Covers client work, websites, and paid ads.
- Price: Starts around $50/month.
Enterprise Plan
- For big companies with large-scale needs.
- Includes custom pricing, support, and licenses.
Each plan gives you full access to the music library and includes new tracks added every week.
Key Features of Epidemic Sound
Huge Music Library
With tens of thousands of tracks in many different styles, you can always find the right sound for your project.
Easy Search Tools
You can search by genre, mood, tempo, or instruments. Want a calm acoustic guitar tune? Just filter by those keywords.
Sound Effects
Besides music, Epidemic Sound has over 90,000 sound effects. From footsteps to explosions, you’ll find everything.
No Copyright Strikes
All music on Epidemic Sound is safe to use as long as you have an active subscription. This means no copyright strikes or demonetized videos.
Stems Feature
Some songs come with “stems,” which means you can download separate parts like drums, vocals, or instruments and mix them yourself.
Epidemic Sound vs. Other Music Platforms
There are other music platforms out there, like Artlist, AudioJungle, and Soundstripe. Let’s see how Epidemic Sound compares.
| Feature | Epidemic Sound | Artlist | AudioJungle | Soundstripe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subscription Model | Yes | Yes | No (pay per song) | Yes |
| Sound Effects Included | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Stems Option | Yes (some tracks) | No | No | No |
| YouTube Integration | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Free Trial | Yes (limited use) | No | No | Yes |
Epidemic Sound stands out for its easy-to-use design, wide variety, and useful extras like stems and sound effects.
Pros and Cons of Epidemic Sound
Pros
- Huge music and sound effect library
- Easy licensing and no copyright strikes
- Works well with YouTube and social media
- Simple user interface
- New music added regularly
Cons
- You lose rights to use the music if you cancel your subscription
- Not the cheapest option for personal use
- Not all tracks have stems
How to Get Started with Epidemic Sound
If you’re ready to try Epidemic Sound, here’s how you can get started:
- Go to their official website.
- Sign up for a free trial (usually 7 days).
- Pick the plan that fits your needs.
- Explore music, download, and start creating!
Tips for Choosing the Right Music
When using Epidemic Sound, here are a few tips to help you pick the best track:
Match the Mood
If your video is sad, happy, or dramatic, choose music that fits that emotion.
Keep It Simple
Don’t choose music that’s too busy or distracting unless it’s meant to stand out.
Try Different Versions
Some songs come with different versions—shorter or without vocals—so try them out.
Use Sound Effects for Detail
Small sound effects can add a professional feel to your video. Things like camera clicks or ambient noise make a difference.
Final Thoughts
Epidemic Sound is a powerful tool for anyone who creates videos, podcasts, or other digital content. With a large library, easy licensing, and quality tracks, it takes the stress out of finding legal music.
