If you’re on the hunt for sound effects, you already know the difference they can make to your content. They turn basic edits into something memorable that keeps viewers hooked. But while sound effects are a key ingredient for any great video, you don’t want to waste hours searching websites for the right ones.
You may have already come across sound effects libraries that offer tons of variety, but lack the quality you need for your videos. Or sometimes you’ll find the perfect sound, but you can’t be certain if it’s safe to use in your uploads.
Make your life easier with this handy list of the best free sound effects websites for creators. You’ll be able to find the ideal sound effects in no time at all, which means more time spent getting creative!
- Uppbeat - The best pick for creators & YouTubers
- Freesound - A global sound-sharing platform
- Pixabay - One of the largest libraries around
- Zapsplat - A comprehensive collection of different sounds
- SoundBible - Easy downloads without the need to sign up
- MixKit - Free sounds with no attribution needed
- What to look for in a sound effects library
- How to use sound effects without getting a copyright claim
The 6 best free sound effects websites
1. Uppbeat
Best for creators and YouTubers who want top quality sound effects in an easy-to-use library.
Pros: Designed specifically for content creators, with high-quality, curated sound effects. You’ll find a wide selection of meme sounds, cinematic transitions, pops, wooshes and more – basically everything a creator needs! Plus, they’re all arranged in collections that make searching for the ideal sound effects easy.
Cons: You can sign up and start downloading for free. But if you want to unlock Uppbeat’s full catalog of sound effects, you’re better off upgrading to Uppbeat Premium for $6.99. The upside is that this’ll give you unlimited downloads and lots more perks too.
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Explore Uppbeat's catalog of awesome sound effects 🎉
2. Freesound
Best for discovering unique sounds curated and uploaded by a global community.
Pros: Features a massive collection of user-generated sound effects, including niche and experimental sounds you won’t find elsewhere.
Cons: Sound quality can be very inconsistent, and licensing varies – some sounds require attribution, while others don’t. Searching for the right sounds can be particularly time-consuming given the sheer range available.
3. Pixabay
Best for browsing a massive library to find that spark of inspiration.
Pros: All sounds are 100% royalty-free, meaning you don’t need to credit the person who made them. You’ll find a wide range of sound effects too, which means you can dive in and search for that spark of inspiration.
Cons: The library isn’t as user-friendly as others on this list, making the search for specific sound effects a long and frustrating process.
4. Zapsplat
Best for creators looking for specific sounds with the time to hunt for them.
Pros: A huge library of over 100,000+ free sound effects, including professional-quality recordings in almost every category.
Cons: Free downloads are only available in MP3 format – you need a paid plan for WAV files and higher-quality audio. And with so much choice, it is noticeable how much the quality varies. Which means you might need to hunt around for sound effects good enough to use in your content.
5. SoundBible
Best for getting instant downloads without the need to sign-up first.
Pros: No account required which means you can download sound effects instantly. You’ll find a mix of public domain and Creative Commons sounds you can freely download.
Cons: Limited search and filtering options make it harder to find the perfect sound. And with purely public domain and Creative Commons clips, some sounds are lower quality than what you’d ideally use in your content.
6. Mixkit
Best for creators who want to drop sounds into their edit without the need to credit anyone.
Pros: You’ll find professionally curated sound effects that are completely free to use with no attribution required. That means you don’t need to feature a credit alongside your video – simply download and drop into your edit.
Cons: The library is smaller in comparison to other sites, so it may not have the specific sound effect you’re looking for. Plus the navigation isn’t as easy to use as some of the alternatives, which means searching for what you want can take a while.
What to look for in a sound effects website
You can easily waste hours digging through a sound effects library in the hunt for the right clips. To help you avoid going down unnecessary rabbit holes, here are some of the key factors to consider when exploring free sound effects websites.
What are the licensing and copyright requirements?
Always confirm whether you need to credit the creator or if sounds are completely free to use.
How good is the sound quality?
Choose sites offering WAV or high-quality MP3 files rather than compressed, low-bitrate audio that could ruin your edits.
How much variety of sounds is there?
Many libraries cover your basic needs with literal sound effects taken from the world around us. The difference with Uppbeat is that it’s been curated with creators in mind. You can browse based on your content or channel, meaning you'll find your ideal sounds faster, including ones you may not have thought about.
Is the sound effects library easy to use?
The more time spent looking for the right sounds, the less time you’ll spend creating awesome videos. Search tools, categories, and simple downloads can save you a ton of time.
How to use free sound effects safely in your videos
So you’ve found the perfect website and downloaded sound effects to make your edit pop – you still want to make sure you don’t risk copyright issues when using them. Follow these simple steps to protect your uploads:
- Download sound effects from a library you can trust, like Uppbeat, where all the sound effects are safe to use in your content 👋
- Use royalty-free sound effects to avoid copyright claims
- Check if attribution is required – some sounds must be credited properly
- Read the platform’s licensing rules – YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram have strict policies
- Avoid copyrighted audio clips – even short sound bites can lead to strikes
Following these steps will ensure your content stays monetization-friendly and safe from takedowns.
Make your edits pop by finding the best sound effects
With so many great free sound effects websites available, it’s easier than ever to add professional-quality audio to your videos without spending a dime. Whether you need cinematic whooshes, meme sounds, or natural ambiance from the world around us, these sites have you covered.
So you don’t fall foul of copyright claims or monetization issues, keep an eye out for any licensing requirements for your chosen sound effects. Or simply make your life easy and head to Uppbeat’s free sound effects library, safe in the knowledge your downloads are royalty-free with no copyright dramas.
