Best music libraries for viral videos………So, let me just start with this: I once uploaded a video to TikTok with the wrong background track. Not like, wrong as in “bad taste.” Wrong as in, TikTok muted it within seconds and my friends roasted me in the group chat for “posting silent films now.” Thanks, copyright police.
That’s when I realized—if you wanna make viral videos and not get slapped with copyright claims, you gotta know where to get royalty-free but still actually cool music. Not elevator tunes. Not the weird generic stock tracks that sound like they belong in a dentist’s office waiting room. I mean the kind of music that feels trendy enough people think it’s from TikTok, not “off-brand TikTok.”
And that’s how I went down the rabbit hole of the best music libraries for viral videos. Spoiler: some of them are lifesavers, some are…kinda sketchy, and one literally almost had me pay $75 for a track that sounded like a knockoff Kidz Bop remix.
Why Music Can Make or Break a Viral Video
Quick story—last summer, my cousin tried to post this really funny clip of our uncle falling asleep during a BBQ (like full snore mode, beer can sliding out of his hand). She slapped on some random upbeat track she found online. Cute idea. Except the music choice was…off. It was giving “2008 YouTube intro music.”
The video flopped.
Then, she re-uploaded the exact same clip, but this time with a trendy little lo-fi beat from a royalty-free library. It blew up. We’re talking 50k likes in a weekend. Uncle Pete is now a TikTok legend.
Point is: music matters. Sometimes more than the actual video. You pick the right track, and suddenly your cat licking peanut butter is content gold.
My Ride-or-Die Music Libraries
Alright, enough storytelling. Here’s the messy, honest breakdown of where I actually grab tracks that don’t make me cringe.
1. Epidemic Sound
If TikTok was high school, Epidemic is that kid who somehow knows all the cool bands before anyone else. They’ve got this endless library that’s shockingly good—like, actual songs you’d add to a playlist, not just use for background noise.
- You pay a subscription, but honestly, it’s cheaper than the two coffees I somehow buy daily (don’t judge me).
- Their “viral-ready” playlists are scary good. I used one track on a Reel about my chaotic kitchen and suddenly people thought I was aesthetic. (Lol. My stove had marinara splatters.)
2. Artlist
Artlist feels like the hipster cousin—curated, vibey, cinematic. If Epidemic is trendy pop, Artlist is moody indie. Perfect if you’re doing something that isn’t just “watch my dog wear sunglasses” (although honestly, even that would slap with the right moody track).
The interface is slick too. You can search by mood, tempo, even “video theme.” Which is how I discovered they literally have a category for “Food Videos.” Like yes, thank you, I do need background beats for when I film myself messing up pancake flips.
3. Soundstripe
This one’s underrated, in my opinion. It’s a little less flashy, but solid. I call it my “backup library.” Like when Epidemic feels too polished and Artlist feels too moody, Soundstripe gives me that middle ground.
- Their subscription is cheaper, which is nice when your rent is eating half your paycheck (shoutout to Queens landlords).
- They also have sound effects, which I didn’t think I’d care about until I needed the sound of a dramatic whoosh for a coffee-pour slow-mo. Don’t ask.
4. YouTube Audio Library (yes, really)
Okay, so hear me out. Everyone clowns on the free YouTube Audio Library, but honestly? It’s gotten me out of jams more times than I can count. It’s like the box of mismatched Tupperware lids—you don’t expect much, but sometimes it just works.
I once found this funky little beat there that carried an entire video of me ranting about my Wi-Fi cutting out during a Zoom call. People thought I paid for it. Nope. Free99, baby.
5. Upbeat
Newer player, but honestly kinda fun. They focus on trendy tracks—stuff that feels closer to what’s already blowing up online. They even gamify it by giving you “credits” each month. It’s like Spotify Premium met Duolingo.
Pro tip: sign up for their free tier first, then see if you actually vibe with it before paying. (I made the mistake of buying the full plan after one night of too much wine and now I’m basically committed for a year. Oops.)
The Queens Reality Check
Here’s the thing about living in Queens: there’s always background noise. Always. Sirens, honking, somebody blasting bachata at 11pm. So when I’m editing a video at home, I need a track that cuts through the chaos.
I’ve actually tested music libraries with my “Queens kitchen test.” Basically, if I can still feel the vibe of the track while my upstairs neighbor is dragging furniture (why are they always dragging furniture?), then it passes.
Epidemic and Artlist? Passed. YouTube library? Barely, but hey, still counts.
Things I Learned the Hard Way (so you don’t have to)
- Don’t just grab random “royalty-free” music from Google. Half the time it’s not actually free, and the other half it sounds like a malfunctioning keyboard.
- Save your favorite tracks ASAP. Libraries rotate stuff out, and nothing hurts like losing that perfect lo-fi beat.
- Match tempo to video energy. I once put a slow ballad under a clip of my kid skateboarding. It looked like a memorial video. Not ideal.
- Always check licensing details. Some tracks are only cleared for YouTube, not TikTok. Learned this the hard way when Instagram flagged my video mid-views.
Quick List of Go-Tos
If you’re the type that just wants the TL;DR, here:
- Best all-around: Epidemic Sound
- Best moody/cinematic: Artlist
- Best budget pick: Soundstripe
- Best for free scrappy edits: YouTube Audio Library
- Best trendy vibes: Upbeat
So, Are Music Libraries Worth It?
Look, I get it. Shelling out $15–20 a month for “background noise” sounds dumb. But here’s the thing—you’re not just paying for noise. You’re paying for mood, for vibe, for that extra 10 seconds of someone watching your video instead of scrolling past.
And if that means Uncle Pete’s BBQ nap video gets 50k likes instead of 50? Yeah, I’d say it’s worth it.
Wrap-Up about Best music libraries for viral videos
Anyway—that’s my messy, kinda-too-honest rundown of the best music libraries for viral videos. If you’re trying to grow on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, whatever—just trust me, pick good music. It’s like good seasoning in cooking. Doesn’t matter if your video is basically plain pasta—add the right track and suddenly you’re a chef.
And hey, if all else fails, just film your cat doing literally anything. Slap some royalty-free lo-fi on it. Boom—content gold.
Now excuse me, I gotta go re-edit a video I posted last night because I used the wrong song again. Classic.
