Best Places to Download Music for Free

Looking for music you can download without breaking the law or your budget? These platforms offer free, legal downloads from independent artists, public archives, and royalty-free libraries. Whether you’re creating content or building a personal playlist, you’ll find safe and flexible options below.

Top Sites to Download Free Music

You won’t need an account to start downloading, and most tracks include clear usage rights upfront. It’s a simple, no-hassle way to access free music.

1. Free Music Archive (FMA)

Free Music Archive is a long-standing platform built by WFMU, a freeform radio station. It offers thousands of curated tracks from independent artists, many of which are available for personal or commercial use under Creative Commons licenses.

Highlights:

1. Browse by genre, curator, or popularity
2. Advanced license filtering (e.g., allows commercial use)
3. MP3 downloads available instantly
4. Excellent for educators, content creators, and podcasters

FMA remains a go-to resource for anyone seeking trustworthy, high-quality, and copyright-safe music.

2. Jamendo Music

Jamendo is focused entirely on independent music and supports both casual listeners and professionals looking for background audio.

Key Features:

1. Free personal use downloads (no account required)
2. Commercial licenses available via Jamendo Licensing
3. Music organized by genre, mood, or popularity
4. Includes full albums as well as single tracks

With tens of thousands of songs, Jamendo is a valuable platform for users who want a mix of discovery and flexibility.

3. Bandcamp

Bandcamp allows artists to control how their music is distributed, and many offer it for free through the “name your price” model.

What You’ll Find:

1. Choose “$0” to download tracks for free
2. High-quality formats: MP3, FLAC, AAC, WAV
3. Built-in artist support via optional donations
4. Extensive catalog across indie, electronic, jazz, and more

This site is ideal for fans who want to support musicians directly while accessing high-resolution audio legally.

4. Internet Archive (Audio Archive)

The Internet Archive hosts a massive public collection of audio, including live shows, vintage recordings, and radio archives.

Why It Stands Out:

1. Includes the Live Music Archive (thousands of concerts)
2. Public domain and Creative Commons licensing
3. Multiple file types: MP3, OGG, FLAC, lossless audio
4. Great for finding rare or historical music

Researchers, film editors, and creators looking for non-mainstream or vintage sounds will find this resource incredibly valuable.

5. SoundCloud

While SoundCloud is mainly used for streaming, many independent artists enable free downloads of their tracks.

How to Access Free Tracks:

1. Look for the “Download” button beneath individual tracks
2. Some songs require following the artist or visiting a third-party page
3. Licensing varies, so always check the track description

SoundCloud is especially good for discovering fresh talent, remixes, and niche genres you won’t find on traditional music platforms.

6. Audiomack

Audiomack blends free streaming and downloads with a focus on trending music in urban and electronic genres.

Platform Benefits:

1. Free downloads for many tracks
2. Offline playback available through the mobile app
3. No account or subscription needed to access downloads
4. Popular among DJs, dancers, and social media creators

Audiomack is designed for mobile users who want quick access to the latest hip-hop, R&B, and EDM releases without paying.

7. SoundClick

SoundClick is one of the internet’s oldest platforms for artist-uploaded music and remains a favorite for producers and creators.

Key Features:

1. Direct MP3 downloads from artist profiles
2. Includes full songs, beats, loops, and instrumentals
3. Free and paid licensing options for commercial use
4. Strong community of independent musicians

Whether you're making a video, building a playlist, or looking for a beat to remix, SoundClick offers creative flexibility in an easy-to-navigate format.

Royalty-Free and Public Domain Music for Creators

If you're a content creator, finding music that’s safe for commercial use is critical. Whether you're uploading to YouTube, editing a podcast, or building a mobile app, using copyrighted music without permission can result in takedowns or strikes. The platforms below offer royalty-free or public domain music, which means you can use the tracks legally, often without attribution or payment.

1. YouTube Audio Library

Built directly into the YouTube Studio interface, the YouTube Audio Library is designed for creators who need background music or sound effects for videos.

What It Offers:

1. Thousands of free music tracks and sound effects
2. Most tracks are cleared for monetized videos
3. Simple filters: genre, mood, instrument, duration
4. Licensing terms are listed with every track

You don’t need to be a YouTube partner to use this library, and downloads are available in MP3 format. Always check the “attribution required” label before using a track commercially.

2. Pixabay Music

Pixabay is best known for stock photos and videos, but it also includes a large, high-quality collection of royalty-free music.

Platform Features:

1. All music is free for commercial use
2. No attribution required
3. Includes cinematic, ambient, and corporate tracks
4. Download MP3 files instantly with no login

Pixabay Music is ideal for creators working on ads, client work, social media campaigns, or any project that needs clean, instrumental background music.

3. Musopen

Musopen specializes in classical music that has entered the public domain. It also provides educational resources like sheet music and composer information.

Why Use Musopen:

1. Public domain recordings available in MP3 and FLAC
2. Browse by composer, instrument, or era
3. No licensing fees or restrictions
4. Ideal for documentaries, academic projects, and educational apps

If your project requires timeless classical pieces without legal concerns, Musopen is one of the most reliable platforms available.

4. FreePD.com

FreePD stands for “Free Public Domain,” and every track on the site is free to use for any purpose, personal or commercial, without attribution.

Key Advantages:

1. 100% public domain music
2. No sign-up or licensing required
3. Categorized by mood and genre
4. Fast, direct MP3 downloads

This site is a solid choice for creators who want total peace of mind and need a simple source of legal, reusable music for any type of content.

How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Needs

With so many free music platforms available, it's important to pick the one that aligns with your project. Whether you're editing a video, building a playlist, or launching a podcast, choosing the right source depends on how you plan to use the music.

Here’s a breakdown to help guide your decision:

For YouTube and Social Media Videos

1. Use: Background music that won’t trigger copyright claims
2. Platforms to use:
3. YouTube Audio Library
4. Pixabay Music
5. FreePD.com

For Offline Listening and Music Discovery

1. Use: Downloading tracks for personal enjoyment
2. Platforms to use:
3. Audiomack
4. SoundClick
5. Bandcamp (select free downloads)

For Podcasts, Courses, and Client Projects

1. Use: Commercial-safe music for publishing or selling
2. Platforms to use:
3. Jamendo (with licensing)
4. Pixabay Music
5. Musopen (classical, public domain)

For Educational and Historical Content

1. Use: Public domain or classical music for documentaries or school projects
2. Platforms to use:
3. Internet Archive
4. Musopen
5. Free Music Archive

For Remixing or Production

1. Use: Beats, loops, and instrumentals with flexible usage
2. Platforms to use:
3. SoundClick
4. SoundCloud (when licensed or permitted)

Before downloading music from any platform, check its licensing terms to avoid restrictions or misuse. What works well for personal listening might not be valid for commercial or public-facing projects.

Legal and Licensing Tips to Avoid Copyright Issues

Even when music is offered for free, it’s not always free to use in any context. Understanding licensing types will help you stay compliant, especially if you're publishing content on platforms that scan for copyright violations.

Creative Commons (CC)

1. Allows reuse with conditions
2. Some require attribution or restrict commercial use
3. Always check which CC license version applies to a track

Public Domain

1. No copyright restrictions
2. Free for personal, commercial, or public use
3. Ideal for classical or archival content

Royalty-Free

1. No ongoing payments
2. May require a one-time license or download from an approved source
3. Often safe for commercial use, but always verify

What to Avoid

1. Downloading from unverified or piracy-related sites
2. Ripping music from YouTube or Spotify
3. Using music without checking the license terms

When in doubt, choose music labeled as public domain or provided by platforms known for legal distribution. If a track seems unclear, skip it or contact the creator for permission.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best website to download music for free legally?

The Free Music Archive, Jamendo, and Bandcamp are among the most trusted platforms. They offer free downloads from independent artists and provide clear licensing details.

Can I use free music from these sites in YouTube videos?

Yes, but only if the track’s license allows it. Platforms like YouTube Audio Library, Pixabay Music, and FreePD.com are designed specifically for safe, royalty-free use in video content.

Do I need to create an account to download music?

Not always. Many platforms allow downloads without registration. For example, Pixabay and FreePD.com offer instant MP3 access. Some platforms, like Jamendo or Bandcamp, may require an email address or offer more features to registered users.

Is SoundCloud safe for downloading music?

Some artists on SoundCloud allow free downloads, and those are safe to use. However, not all tracks are downloadable or cleared for reuse. Always check the track’s description or license.

Can I use these tracks in commercial projects like ads or podcasts?

You can, but only if the license explicitly allows commercial use. Pixabay Music, Jamendo (with a license), and FreePD are good options for commercial-safe audio.