Free Music Downloads: Best sites to legally download awesome music tracks‍

TL;DR & Summary

Free music download sites provide access to a large selection of music for listeners without having to pay for it. However, it's important to consider the legalities of downloading music and to be cautious about downloading from unsafe or unverified websites.

We have done the work for you and sorted the sites to download music based on various factors.

Best overall: SoundCloud

• SoundCloud is a popular platform for discovering new and emerging artists, and also offers a vast library of songs.

Best for content creation: YouTube Audio Library

• YouTube Audio Library is a great option for content creation, as well as royalty-free music for creators.

Best for variety of music: Bandcamp

• Bandcamp offers a wide variety of genres and styles of music, including indie, rock, jazz, electronic, and more.

Best for finding music from around the web: Internet Archive's Audio Library

• The Internet Archive's Audio Library is a massive collection of music and audio from around the web, including live performances and radio shows.

Best for high quality music: Bandcamp

• Bandcamp offers high-quality downloads of music in a variety of formats, including lossless options like FLAC.

Best for a music streaming experience: SoundCloud

• SoundCloud's interface is user-friendly and allows for easy music discovery, playlist creation, and social sharing.

Why should you be using free music download sites?

1. Cost: One of the biggest benefits of using free music download sites is that they are free. You don't have to pay anything to download music from these sites.

2. Selection: Free music download sites offer a wide selection of music. You can find songs from a variety of genres and artists.

3. Convenience: Downloading music from free sites is often more convenient than going to a store or paying for a subscription service. You can download the music you want from the comfort of your own home.

4. Offline listening: Many free music download sites allow you to download music so that you can listen to it offline. This is great if you're going on a road trip or if you don't have access to the internet.

Note: Keep in mind that some free music download sites may be illegal and could result in legal consequences. Be sure to research the site you're using and make sure that you're not infringing on any copyright laws.

Legalities of Downloading Free Music

Copyright laws govern the use and distribution of music and other creative works. Downloading copyrighted music without permission is illegal and could result in legal action.

However, there are legal ways to download free music, such as public domain music and Creative Commons-licensed music, which allows for non-commercial use with attribution.

It is important to ensure that you are downloading music legally and not infringing on any copyrights. Some free music download sites may not adhere to these laws, so it is important to research and use reputable sites to ensure compliance with copyright laws.

Top Free Music Download Sites: Legal & Virus free!

#1 YouTube Audio Library

The YouTube Audio Library is a collection of royalty-free music and sound effects that can be used in videos uploaded to YouTube or other platforms. It offers a wide range of genres and categories, including cinematic, electronic, hip hop, and more.

Pros:

• Free to use: All tracks in the YouTube Audio Library are free to use without any copyright issues.

• Variety of music: The library includes a vast collection of music, including instrumental and background tracks for different moods and genres.

• Easy to navigate: The library is user-friendly, with different categories and filters to help users find the right track for their video.

• High-quality tracks: The tracks available in the library are high-quality and professionally produced.

• Customizable: Users can edit the tracks in the library to fit their video's length and style.

Cons:

• Limited selection: Although the library has a vast collection of music, it might not have every type of music that users are looking for.

• Attribution required: While the tracks in the YouTube Audio Library are free to use, users must credit the creator in their video description if they use any track from the library.

• No commercial use: The library's tracks cannot be used for commercial purposes, and users must contact the creator for permission if they wish to use any track commercially.

• Limited customization: While users can edit the tracks, the level of customization is limited to the length and style of the track.

#2 SoundCloud

SoundCloud is a music streaming and distribution platform that allows users to upload, promote, and share their original music tracks. It is a popular platform for independent musicians and DJs to showcase their music and gain a following. SoundCloud is one of the best free music downloading/streaming sites with a vast collection.

Pros:

• A large selection of independent and underground music

• Easy to use interface

• Social media integration to share tracks and playlists

• Available on multiple platforms, including mobile devices

• Allows users to comment and interact with artists

Cons:

• Limited selection of mainstream music

• Ads can be intrusive and disruptive to the listening experience

• Not all tracks are available for download

• Limited features for free users compared to paid subscribers

• Copyright issues and takedown notices for some tracks.

#3 Bandcamp

Bandcamp is a music distribution platform that allows artists to upload their music and sell it directly to fans. It also offers a range of free music downloads from various artists.

Pros:

• Provides a platform for independent artists to sell their music directly to fans.

• Has a large and diverse collection of free music downloads.

• Offers high-quality audio formats for downloads.

• Allows listeners to preview full albums and tracks before purchasing or downloading.

• Offers a customizable fan page for artists, where they can share their music, connect with fans, and sell merchandise.

Cons:

• Not all artists on Bandcamp offer free downloads, and some may charge for their music.

• Some users may find the user interface and navigation of the website a bit confusing or overwhelming.

• Unlike some other free music download sites, Bandcamp doesn't have a search feature specifically for free music downloads, so it can take some time to find what you're looking for.

• Some artists may upload low-quality or unprofessional recordings, so quality can vary.

#4 Jamendo

Jamendo is a music platform that offers free and legal music downloads for personal use. It has a large library of over 500,000 tracks, covering a range of genres from pop and rock to classical and jazz.

Pros:

• Large selection of music across different genres

• All music is free and legal to download for personal use

• Simple and easy-to-use interface for finding and downloading music

• No ads or interruptions during music playback

Cons:

• Limited options for streaming music online, with a focus on downloads

• Some tracks may have licensing restrictions that limit their use

• The quality of some tracks may vary, with some being lower quality recordings

• Limited community features compared to other music platforms.

#5 Free Music Archive

The Free Music Archive is a website that provides access to a wide range of free and legal music downloads. It was created by the radio station WFMU in 2009, with the goal of promoting access to high-quality music for people around the world.

Pros:

• The website has a massive collection of free music spanning various genres, including indie, hip-hop, classical, and more.

• Users can browse and search for music easily using the website's intuitive interface, which includes various filters for genre, artist, album, and more.

• The website provides high-quality MP3 downloads for all its music, ensuring that users can enjoy the music in the best possible sound quality.

• Free Music Archive allows users to use the music for non-commercial purposes, making it an excellent resource for podcasters, video producers, and other creatives.

Cons:

• While the website is relatively easy to use, it may take some time to find exactly what you're looking for due to the large amount of music available.

• The website is entirely community-funded, which means that it relies on donations to keep the service running. As a result, there is always the possibility that the website could shut down if funding runs out.

• Some of the music on Free Music Archive is licensed under Creative Commons, which means that it may not be suitable for commercial use or may require attribution. Users should be sure to read the licensing terms carefully before using any music for commercial purposes.

#6 Internet Archive's Audio Library

The Internet Archive's Audio Library is a digital library that provides free public access to music recordings, audiobooks, podcasts, radio programs, and more. The library is a part of the larger Internet Archive, which is a non-profit organization that aims to preserve digital content for future generations.

Pros:

• Vast collection of audio files, including music, audiobooks, and radio programs

• Free and easy access to the collection

• Files can be downloaded in a variety of formats, including MP3, WAV, and FLAC

• Allows users to upload their own audio files to the archive for preservation

• Great resource for historical and rare audio recordings

Cons:

• Some audio files may be low-quality or incomplete

• The archive's search function can be difficult to use and may not always yield accurate results

• While the collection is vast, it may not have every single song or album that a user is looking for

• The archive relies on donations for support, so it may not always be able to sustain its operations

Factors to consider when choosing a free music download site

#1 Quality of music

This is an important factor to consider when choosing a free music download site. Some sites may offer low-quality music files, which can be frustrating to listen to. Look for sites that offer high-quality music files with bitrates of at least 128 kbps or higher.

#2 User interface

The user interface of the website should be easy to use and navigate. The site should have a clear and simple layout that makes it easy to find and download the music you want.

#3 Safety and security

Make sure the website you choose is safe and secure. Avoid sites that ask for personal information or require you to download additional software in order to download music.

#4 Download speed

The speed of the website is important, especially if you're downloading large files. Look for sites that have fast download speeds to minimize your wait time.

#5 Availability of different genres

The site should offer a wide range of music genres to choose from, so you can find the music that you enjoy listening to. Make sure the site has a good selection of genres, including popular and less well-known ones.

Additional tips for downloading free music

1. Check the site's terms and conditions: Make sure you understand the site's policies on copyright infringement and usage rights before downloading any music.

2. Use a reputable antivirus program: Downloading music from free sites can expose your computer to viruses and malware. It's important to have a good antivirus program installed to protect your computer.

3. Use a VPN: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help you download music anonymously and protect your online privacy.

4. Backup your downloads: Always make a backup of your downloaded music in case you accidentally delete them or your computer crashes.

5. Support the artists: Consider supporting the artists you like by purchasing their music or merchandise. Many artists offer free downloads on their websites or through their social media channels.

Frequently asked questions

How can I download MP3 songs for free?

There are several ways to download MP3 songs for free, including using free music download sites, music streaming services with download options, and peer-to-peer file-sharing programs. However, it's important to ensure that you are downloading music legally and ethically, and not infringing on copyright laws.

Which is the best free music downloader?

There are several free music downloader applications available, and the best one for you may depend on your specific needs and preferences. Some popular options include 4K Video Downloader, Freemake Video Downloader, and MP3jam. It's important to do your own research and read reviews before choosing a music downloader.

Are there any free music download websites?

Yes, there are several free music download websites available, including SoundCloud, Jamendo, Free Music Archive, NoiseTrade, Internet Archive's Audio Library, and more. However, it's important to ensure that you are downloading music legally and ethically, and not infringing on copyright laws.