Which is better for music & sound effects in 2026? Here's our side-by-side comparison.
Best music library for creators. No claims, great quality, fair Personal pricing.
How Epidemic Sound and YouTube Audio Library pricing stacks up — green highlights the better value.
| Free Tier | — | Full access to all music and sound effects. No limits. |
| Starter Price | $9/mo | — |
| Pro Price | $49/mo | — |
| Per-User Pricing | No (flat rate) | No (flat rate) |
| Annual Discount | — | — |
What each tool brings to the table.
| Feature | Epidemic Sound | YouTube Audio Library |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited music downloads | ||
| Sound effects library | ||
| YouTube copyright clearance |
Strengths and weaknesses of each tool, side by side.
Which tool should you choose?
Try either tool and see which one fits your workflow.
We may earn a commission when you click these links. This doesn't affect our recommendations.
| Stems and instrumental versions |
| New music added weekly |
| Offline access |
| Free music library |
| Sound effects |
| No copyright claims |
| Download or use in editor |
| Search by mood, genre |
| No attribution required |