Where To Buy Royalty Free Podcast Music
Imagine pressing play on a podcast and being instantly captivated—not just by the host’s voice or the compelling content, but by the music that sets the entire mood.
That’s the transformative power of the right music.
Music isn’t merely a background filler; it’s a vital element that can enhance storytelling, evoke emotions, and create a memorable experience for your listeners.
But here’s the twist: you can’t simply insert your favorite Grateful Dead track or that catchy tune from your personal playlist into your podcast.
Using copyrighted music without proper licensing can lead to your episodes being pulled from platforms faster than you can say “cease and desist.”
So, what’s a content creator to do?
The answer lies in royalty-free music—tracks that you can legally use without paying ongoing royalties to the rights holders.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about royalty-free podcast music.
We’ll explore what it is, how to use it effectively, and where to find high-quality tracks that won’t strain your budget.
But before we dive in, a quick heads-up: some of the links we’ll share include affiliate offers. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Now, let’s give it a go.
What Is Royalty Free Music?
The easiest and most cost-effective way to get music for your podcast is from royalty-free music libraries.
But what exactly is royalty-free music? Royalty-free music allows you to pay a one-time fee for a music license, granting you the right to use the music in your podcast as often and for as long as you like, without paying additional royalties to the rights holders each time you use it.
These libraries do require payment, but they’re affordable. You might need to pay a monthly subscription fee to access their entire catalog, or you might choose to purchase tracks individually.
If you’re looking for royalty-free music that is also free to use—that is, you don’t have to pay anything upfront or pay royalties later—check out this list by Buzzsprout.
In addition to this list, there are many royalty-free music libraries and websites where you can find music to use in your podcast at no cost to you.
However, at The Podcast Haven, we’re not fans of those completely free libraries. We’ve found that these libraries often offer a lower caliber of songs that lack production value and are poorly recorded.
The best royalty-free music libraries provide a plethora of well-recorded and produced music in all the genres you could ever want.
You’ll have to spend a little money for these, but they won’t break the bank.
How To Use Music In Your Podcast
Theme Music, Stingers and Music Beds
No matter what podcast format you choose for your podcast, you’ll most likely use some intro and outro music, aka “theme music”.
This music track will be placed at either end of your podcast and repeated with each episode, making it one of the easiest drop in edits of your production.
You only have to cut it once and will reuse it in every episode.
Tip – When choosing intro and outro music, look for something free of lyrics.
In addition to your “theme” music, you can use “stingers” throughout your podcast to add a bit of underlying to your production.
These are great for transitioning into different segments.
Stingers are short musical phrases that indicate that a transition or climax is coming. A sting can be used in any genre and royalty-free music libraries come with tons of stingers to choose from.
Typically they’ll also come with various renditions, or edits of the track you’re interested in.
You’ll find 15-second cuts, 30-second cuts, and 1-minute cuts.
These make your music editing a breeze!
How Much Does Royalty Free Podcast Music Cost?
Costs for podcast music range from about $20 for a single song to around $20 – 50 per month for a subscription to a royalty-free music library.
If you’re regularly creating content and want to build a cohesive brand and vibe, a music library subscription is often the best choice.
With a subscription, you get access to thousands of songs and sound effects for one monthly fee, making it both affordable and versatile.
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Exploring Music Genres in Royalty-Free Music Libraries
When it comes to enhancing your podcast with music, royalty-free libraries offer an incredible variety of genres to choose from.
These libraries typically feature an extensive collection that spans virtually every type of music under the sun.
Whether you’re looking for energetic rap beats, heartfelt country tunes, atmospheric indie electronic tracks, playful children’s music, timeless classical pieces, or any other genre, you’ll find a plethora of options to match your podcast’s theme and mood.
Most comprehensive royalty-free libraries categorize music not just by genre but also by mood, tempo, and instrumentation.
This makes it easier for content creators to find the perfect track that aligns with the specific vibe they’re aiming for—be it upbeat and lively or calm and introspective.
By utilizing both broad and specialized royalty-free music libraries, you can discover tracks that not only enhance your storytelling but also reinforce your podcast’s brand identity.
The key is to explore and listen to different genres and styles until you find the music that resonates with your content and appeals to your target audience.
Our Favorite Royalty Free Podcast Music Libraries
Adobe Stock
Adobe Stock is one of the kingpins of the media world. It is a one-stop shop for all your music needs.
You can search through thousands of songs and find the perfect royalty-free track in minutes, with advanced filtering options that will let you customize what vibe or mood it’s going to transmit.
Their highly curated collections are unique and Adobe prides itself on only offering music of the highest quality.
Find the perfect track faster using the “Find Similiar Track” button.
Select up to 20 seconds of any part of a song you like in their library, click, and it will play a bunch more songs that sound just like what you’re looking for.
Or upload a song that you have on hand and Adobes’ algorithm will find musical matches.
There’s a 30-day free trial and then subscriptions begin at $29 a month. Get 1 free month of Adobe Spark
Pond5
Pond5 If you’re looking for the perfect podcast music, you’ve come to the right place.
Pick from their extensive catalog of royalty-free tracks.
They offer unlimited use and worldwide distribution through all digital outlets, including YouTube licensing compatibility so you can get just what’s needed without paying extra fees.
With its search features, finding what you are looking for has never been easier. Select your desired genre, mood, or instrument to narrow down results.
Pond5 also specializes in stock video footage, photos, SFX, illustrations and more.
Music tracks start at $5 and Pond5 has flexible payment options that allow you to pay per track, by credit packs, or via membership.
Get 20% off your first order from Pond5
Storyblocks
Storyblocks offers you not only royalty-free music, but video clips, templates, and images, and sound effects.
For as low as $15.00 per month you can have access to unlimited downloads of music and sound effects.
If that’s more music than you care to browse through, Storyblocks also offers a $10.00 option that allows its users to download three pieces of music a month. Yours to keep and use forever.
Epidemic Sound
Epidemic Sound offers a vast library with over 35,000 tracks across genres, from Hip-Hop to Classical.
Their single-user license simplifies the often-confusing world of music rights, allowing use across multiple platforms without extra fees.
Starting at $15/month, it’s budget-friendly without skimping on quality.
The tracks are professionally produced, elevating your podcast’s production value and helping you connect emotionally with your audience.
AudioJungle
Part of the Envato Market, AudioJungle provides a massive selection of royalty-free music and audio tracks.
With thousands of tracks across genres like ambient, corporate, pop, and cinematic, it’s easy to find music that suits your project’s style.
Competitive pricing and a community-driven platform make it a popular choice among content creators looking for both quality and affordability.
PremiumBeat
Owned by Shutterstock, PremiumBeat provides a selection of exclusive, high-quality tracks created by professional composers and musicians.
The site features a user-friendly interface with advanced search filters, helping you find the perfect music quickly.
Their standard and premium licenses cover a variety of uses, ensuring legal peace of mind for your projects.
Get Legal With Royalty Free Podcast Music
While using copyrighted tracks is off-limits, royalty-free music offers a legal and affordable solution.
By tapping into high-quality royalty-free music libraries, you gain access to a vast array of genres and styles that perfectly match your podcast’s vibe.
Whether it’s theme music, stingers, or background tracks, the right music enhances your storytelling and reinforces your brand identity.
With options ranging from individual track purchases to budget-friendly subscriptions, you can find the perfect sound without breaking the bank.
Jump into the world of royalty-free music and transform your creativity.