Where to find stock music for videos

For those familiar with working on audiovisual content or regularly editing videos, the availability of libraries with royalty-free content is valuable and essential, especially regarding:

Music and sound effects

Video footage, clips, and shots

Understanding copyright and licenses is crucial in this context. Copyright grants creators exclusive rights to their productions, which can cover various types of works such as literature, music, research articles, and, of course, video creations.

Rights holders have the authority to authorize or prohibit specific uses of their works and can even receive compensation for their use. However, there are licenses, such as Creative Commons (CC) licenses, that allow people to use others' work without having to ask for permission every time. In this article, we will mainly focus on content that can be freely used, such as works released under the CC0 license, which allows copyright holders to distribute their works without restrictions. Additionally, there are works that have entered the public domain, meaning they are no longer protected by copyright (typically 70 years after the creator’s death).

To help you find suitable resources to improve your video editing, we have selected a list of the best websites where you can download free music, sound effects, and video clips. These resources can significantly enhance the quality and impact of your video projects.

Here are some recommended platforms for downloading royalty-free music:

Jamendo for videos

Jamendo offers two sections on their website: Jamendo Music, where you can listen to music for free, and Jamendo Licensing, where you can obtain licenses for commercial use in videos. While you can download music for free from the listening section, a license from Jamendo Licensing is required for commercial use.

It provides user-friendly features like radio stations, playlists, and a community for discovering music. You can explore genres or use the search bar to find specific tracks. Before downloading, make sure to verify that the license is "Creative Commons."

Keep in mind that Jamendo also provides a licensing platform for commercial music use.

It is important to respect the license terms and ensure you have the appropriate rights to use the music in your videos.

2. YouTube Studio Library

If you have a YouTube channel, you can access YouTube Studio, which offers an audio library with a wide selection of free music and sound effects.

Within YouTube Studio, you can browse and download these royalty-free audio files to incorporate into your video edits. The advantage of using music and sound effects from YouTube’s audio library is that it reduces the risk of third-party claims that might lead to demonetization of your video when uploaded to YouTube.

Using music and sound effects provided in YouTube’s audio library allows you to enhance your videos with high-quality audio without worrying about potential copyright issues that could affect your video’s monetization on the platform.

3. Incompetech

Incompetech is a platform offering a large collection of royalty-free music created by Kevin MacLeod. The unique aspect of Incompetech is that it does not require users to register and provides a simple, user-friendly experience.

You can easily filter music options by genre, tempo, mood, or duration, making it convenient to find the perfect music for your project.

The music available on Incompetech is generally of good quality, ensuring your video or audio production maintains a professional sound.

Thanks to its simple interface and diverse music selection, Incompetech is a reliable resource for finding and incorporating royalty-free music into your creative work.

Platforms for stock videos

Here are some of the best platforms where you can download high-resolution, royalty-free videos without watermarks. It’s recommended to diversify your sources by exploring different platforms periodically:

1. Pixabay

Pixabay is a vibrant community of creatives sharing a vast collection of royalty-free images and videos. All content on Pixabay is available under the Pixabay license, which guarantees you the freedom to use the resources without needing permissions or attribution, even for commercial purposes. You can freely copy, modify, distribute, and use the videos from this online video bank. Pixabay offers a broad selection of high-quality videos and images to meet various needs.

Remember to explore other platforms as well to expand your resource range and find the videos best suited to your projects.

2. Videvo

Videvo is a platform that offers a wide range of resources, including videos, images, and sound effects, which you can use for free in both personal and commercial projects.

The platform offers a broad selection of video clips, and it’s important to note that videos under the Creative Commons 3.0 license require attribution to the original author.

The search bar on Videvo is a valuable tool, allowing you to easily find specific videos or content. Additionally, the platform provides curated collections organized by themes, which can help you discover relevant content for your projects.

Whether you need videos, images, or sound effects, Videvo is a useful resource that offers a variety of free assets to enhance your creative productions.

3. Videezy

Videezy is a great alternative platform offering a wide range of high-quality videos, including 4K resolution options. It provides a user-friendly experience that allows you to browse and download videos easily that meet your specific needs.

With Videezy, you have access to a diverse collection of videos covering various subjects and themes. Whether you need nature footage, urban scenes, abstract images, or any other type of video content, Videezy offers a wide selection to choose from.

The platform is committed to providing exceptional quality videos, ensuring you can enhance your projects with visually striking, professional-level footage. You can rely on Videezy to find and download high-quality videos for your creative projects.