Who doesn't love music, right? We all want to listen to our favorite tunes anytime, anywhere, and for free! But, of course, we want to do it legally and without breaking any copyright laws. Many websites offer free music downloads, but we want to make sure to download only from sources in the public domain or with the artist's permission.
If you're looking for a wider selection of music, you can subscribe to music streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music and enjoy unlimited access to millions of songs. However, paying for downloads is a bummer. Although these music streaming services allow you to listen to music legally and in excellent quality.
You might check:
- How to download songs from SoundCloud
- How to download music from YouTube Music
- How to download songs from Spotify
This article will introduce you to the top websites for free mp3 downloading. Plus, we'll share some sources that let you use their music in your videos without infringing copyright laws. So, let's get started and discover new songs together!
Best Free Music Download Site
Here we'll share some of the best free music download sites out there. And if you prefer apps over websites, you should check the best free music apps that offer legal songs.
So, get ready to learn how to download music for free because the following sites and apps offer some of the best free music download options out there!
Free Music Archive
Despite having been around for a while, this site is still wildly popular today. It's one of the best websites on the internet for free music downloads. The Free Music Archive was started by an independent freeform radio station in New Jersey, and most of the songs available are from unknown musicians.
It's a fantastic way to discover and download new music! And the best part? You don't have to worry about legality. You can download and listen to every track on the site without spending a penny.
Just make sure to check the license for each recording, and if you want to use the songs in a commercial context, use the proper attribution format.
Head to the Free Music Archive and explore the wide range of free, legal music downloads available!
Pros:
- It has an advanced search box
- Different categories to choose from
- You can stream before downloading music
- You don't have to create a user account
Cons: - Only one download option is available
SoundCloud
Are you a musician looking to connect with your fans and share your tracks? Look no further than SoundCloud! This platform provides a great way to interact with your listeners and offer your music directly to your fans.
While SoundCloud does offer paid subscription plans, don't worry if you're starting out – you can still access the site's music library for free with a basic account. Plus, many artists choose to make their tracks available for download, so you can easily download your favorite tunes in various formats.
If you're ready to start downloading, find the track you want to download in the player, then click on the three dots next to "More." If the track is available for download, you'll see an option to download the file right there in the menu. It's that easy!
Pros:
- There's a lot of music content to choose from
- You can download music from both well-known and emerging artists
- You can stream each song before downloading
- Free download music are easy to find
Cons: - Logging in is quite difficult to navigate
- Finding free options can be difficult
Jamendo Music
Have you heard of Jamendo Music? It's a great website that offers free music downloads made possible through Creative Commons licensing. That means that the talented musicians and artists behind the music have chosen to make it available to everyone for free!
If you're looking for new music to enjoy, Jamendo has you covered. You can easily browse the site to find the most popular songs and top-trending tracks. Also, with the help of the "Latest music" filter, you can quickly view recently added tracks and search for familiar artists to see if their music is available for download.
Another fantastic way to discover new music is by tuning into one of Jamendo's radio stations. You never know what hidden gems you might find! And if you come across a song or artist you love, it's easy to download a single track or even a whole album.
Pros:
- There are numerous songs to choose from
- There are different options to search for downloads.
- You can stream music
- It Includes a radio component for the internet.
- Jamendo also has a smartphone app
- You can easily and quickly create an account
Cons: - Only the MP3 format is available; other formats are not available.
- The quality of downloads isn't HD, which is not good enough
- You have to create a user account first, which is free.
YouTube Audio Library
This is an amazing free music download site where you can find tons of music that you've probably heard before in vlogs and other YouTube videos. The best part is that it's perfect for those looking for royalty-free music for their own YouTube videos!
If you have a YouTube account, all you need to do is access the library through YouTube Studio, and you can start downloading as many songs as you like. And the great thing is that the music tracks can be used in any content you create, not just videos, as long as you follow the terms and regulations of the library.
Did we mention that the YouTube Audio Library also has sound effects available in addition to the free music recordings? Hence, you can enhance the audio in your content and make it stand out.
Pros:
- Under the free music tab, you can find different songs that are copyright free
- You can use the sound effect on YouTube audio library to enhance your video
Cons: - You must give appropriate credit before using a track in your video description
- You can not use a third-party app or website to Download an audio track
Amazon
Did you know that Amazon offers free music downloads? It's true! Despite being known for its paid streaming services, Amazon has a wide variety of free songs available for download. To find them, simply click on the "Free" button in the search bar.
While it used to be possible to sort the free music by genre, unfortunately, that option is no longer available. But don't worry. Finding the songs you're looking for is still easy. Just browse through the search results and do a little research.
When you find a free song or album that you like, simply click on it to start the download process. You'll be directed to a page with purchase options, but don't worry. The price will be displayed as $0.00. Once you've added the free music to your cart, you can check out just like you normally would.
Pros:
- There are many options for filtering and modifying the results provided.
- You can hear songs in the preview before downloading them.
Cons: - Downloading could be difficult to go about
- You must log into your Amazon account before use
Internet Archive
Internet Archive is an incredible non-profit digital library that houses millions of books, music pieces, software, websites, and other media. One of the most amazing features of the website is the Audio Archive. Here, you can explore a vast collection of songs, concerts, audio novels, podcasts, 78 rpm records, and more!
With a wide range of filtering parameters, including musical genres, you're sure to find something that speaks to you. The best part? Millions of free music, audio, podcasts, radio programs, and their incredible Live Music Archive can be downloaded directly from the Internet Archive.
However, while not all content is available for download, there are plenty of file formats to choose from, including MP3 and OGG. You can easily filter the results by media type, topics, language, and more when searching for free music downloads.
Also, you can sort the results by artist, most popular items, title, or date published.
Bandcamp
Have you heard of Bandcamp? This amazing music downloader platform has been around since 2008, and it's been a game-changer for independent musicians looking to sell their music directly to fans.
Whether you're into rock, reggae, kids' music, or even audiobooks, Bandcamp has something for everyone. While it's true that the website's navigation doesn't include a specific filter for free music, it's still incredibly easy to find.
To discover the amazing selection of free downloads available on Bandcamp, type "free downloads" into the search bar. From there, you can browse through various tracks that you can either download for free or purchase at your chosen price.
So why not give it a try? You never know what new favorite artist or song you might discover!
Pros:
- It allows you to download entire albums and individual tracks.
- Includes many songs that aren't available on other free music download websites.
- Users do not require accounts.
Cons: - Not every piece of music on Bandcamp can be downloaded for free.
SoundClick
This is the perfect resource for accessing free music directly from individual artists' websites. On SoundClick, you'll find a wide range of music genres and charts from both signed and unsigned musicians who have decided to make their music available for free download.
Once you've located a track you want to listen to, you can easily stream it or download it to your device. But that's not all. SoundClick also allows you to build your radio stations, interact with other listeners in the forums, and learn more about the music you love.
Also, it's worth noting that while some musicians offer free downloads, others may require payment or only allow music streaming. Regardless, SoundClick is an amazing platform that puts the power back in the hands of the artists, giving you access to their incredible music without any middlemen.
Pros:
There are a lot of different genres to choose from
Includes numerous promotions and discounts for music downloads
Cons:
The free music is scattered among the paid tracks. Hence, it might be difficult to search for free music
Some songs are only available for streaming
NoiseTrade
Looking for a unique place to download free music? Check out NoiseTrade, a platform that's part of the Paste Magazine website. It connects musicians with fans by allowing them to stream music and, in most cases, download songs for free.
While you can't pick and choose individual tracks to download, you can access a whole collection of songs from your favorite artists. Simply download a single zip file that contains all the songs from that artist's collection.
One thing to keep in mind is that to download music from NoiseTrade, you'll need to provide your email address. This is an essential requirement for artists to contact you and keep you updated on new music releases and exciting news.
Overall, NoiseTrade is a great platform that allows you to access free music and helps foster a deeper connection between artists and their fans.
Pros:
- Streaming music available
- Supports new and upcoming artists
Cons: - You cannot download songs independently
Last.fm
Looking for a way to discover new music based on your listening history? Last.fm is a great website that tracks your music preferences and suggests new songs based on your listening history. While it no longer offers free music streaming, it still has a modest selection of free music available for download.
On the Last.fm Download Free Music page, you can find 227 tracks available for download in MP3 format. While it's not searchable, you can still access a list of free music downloads. Simply click the Download icon next to the track to download your favorite songs.
It's worth noting that while you can download the music for free, it's important to only use it for your own personal enjoyment. Last.fm does not allow free music downloads for commercial purposes.
Pros:
- Each download can be accessed with only one click
- Almost all tracks are previewable
- No need for a user account
Cons: - Only MP3s are available for download
- Only a few hundred options are available
ReverbNation
If you're an up-and-coming band looking to sell your music online, ReverbNation is an excellent platform to get started. Unlike other music websites, ReverbNation is solely focused on promoting new artists, so you won't find any songs from the current chart-toppers on the site.
In fact, many famous bands have launched their careers through ReverbNation. As a fan, you can easily download songs from these upcoming artists for free.
Here's how to do it:
First, create an account on the website. Then, head over to the artist's profile and click on the "Become A Fan" option to gain access to their songs for download. Finally, click on the Download icon next to the tracks you want to download, and you're good to go!
With ReverbNation, you can discover new and exciting music from emerging artists and support them on their journey to success.
Pros:
- Helps artists build their audience
- Fans can directly download songs and support artists
Cons: - You can only download songs from upcoming artists
BeatStars
Looking for free music that is also legal? BeatStars might be a great platform for you, as it provides a good source for casual listeners and music producers worldwide. While the platform is commercial, it still offers a variety of free music downloads that you can easily find under the "Free Beats" category.
You can sort songs by genre and tags, including hip-hop, trap, soul, and more. Once you find the music you like, tap the "Free Download" icon to download the MP3 file to your device.
Note that some tracks come with a price specifying the purchase and usage conditions if you want to use the music for a song recording, video, live performance, or other similar uses.
BeatStars offers a list of free music downloads that you can filter by genre and mood, such as mellow, sleepy, motivating, and more. One thing to remember is that to access the download link for some music, you must first subscribe to the artist's profile or follow them on social media, but this only takes a few clicks and is free.
Pros:
- There is a list of all available free downloads
- Various genres to choose from
Cons: - Before downloading some tracks, you must follow the artist's page
Musopen
With a wide selection of recordings and sheet music available for streaming or download, Musopen is the perfect place to find your new favorite tunes. Whether searching by instrument, performer, composer, or the convenient music discovery tool, Musopen makes it easy to find exactly what you're looking for.
Furthermore, with the option to filter by criteria such as rating, license type, length, and mood, you're sure to discover some incredible new music. Also, with the Musopen mobile app or on your PC, you can access internet radio for even more music listening options.
While you can enjoy listening to music without logging in, creating an account allows you to download up to five songs daily. And with a free account, you'll still have access to lossy audio quality.
Pros:
- Free music files that you can use for anything
- Access to sheet music downloads
- Supports playing the music in preview.
- Has a radio option for the internet.
Cons: - There's a limitation on the number of downloads each day
- HD audio is not available for free
- Excessive online advertising
