🎧 Top 5 Royalty-Free Music Resources for Online Teachers and Content Creators in 2025

Whether you're streaming lessons with OBS, building video tutorials for your students, or just want to add a little polish to your class content — choosing the right background music can make all the difference.

But here’s the tricky part: not all music is free to use. And when you’re sharing videos on YouTube or social media, copyright issues can get messy fast.

So, what’s a music teacher to do?

Let’s clear the confusion and explore five of the best royalty-free music libraries that are safe, simple, and designed for creators just like you. (Bonus: the first three are completely FREE!)

🎼 What Does "Royalty-Free" Actually Mean?

Before we jump into the list, a quick explainer:

• Royalty-free doesn’t always mean free of cost — it means you don’t have to pay each time you use a song.

• You typically pay once (or subscribe) and then have the right to use that track in your content.

• These licenses are essential when publishing on platforms like YouTube, where copyright detection is automated.

Now, onto the good stuff...

🎁 3 FREE Music Libraries (Yes, Actually Free)

1. Pixabay Music

This popular site for stock images also has a surprisingly solid library of royalty-free music. It’s searchable and categorized — ideal if you’re looking for quick, high-quality tracks.

✅ Great for: Quick background music, mood tracks for teaching videos
💸 Cost: FREE (no attribution required)

2. CreatorMix

Created by online content experts, this collection is curated specifically for YouTube and podcast creators. It’s clean, chill, and easy to browse by mood or genre.

✅ Great for: Ambient music, YouTube intros, calming transitions
🔎 Heads-up: No search bar — you’ll need to browse manually
💸 Cost: FREE (just credit the artist if you can)

3. YouTube Studio Audio Library

If you’re publishing on YouTube, this built-in tool is a must-bookmark. There’s a massive catalog of music and sound effects, all searchable by mood, genre, instrument, or even duration.

✅ Great for: YouTube content, polished educational videos
💸 Cost: FREE (watch out for tracks that require attribution)

💳 2 Paid Options Worth the Investment

4. Melody Loops

Looking for higher-quality music with flexible licensing? Melody Loops offers a huge range of styles, with one of the most intuitive filtering systems out there. You can even custom-cut music to match the exact length of your video. 🙌

💰 Pricing Options:

• Subscription (unlimited downloads)

• Track packs (buy 3, 5, 10, or 25 tracks — starting around $29 for 3 songs)

✅ Great for: Pre-recorded lessons, promo videos, student projects
🎯 Bonus: You own the license — no worries about takedowns

5. Epidemic Sound

Used by YouTubers and creators worldwide, Epidemic Sound has one of the most polished libraries on the web. While it’s a bit pricier than other options, the quality and usability make it worth it.

💰 Pricing: $18/month (or $10/month billed annually)

✅ Great for: Professional-looking courses, long-term content creation
💡 Pro Tip: If you already have Canva Pro, check your access — many Epidemic Sound tracks are included for free. Learn more here.

🧠 Final Thought: Music is More Than Filler

When used thoughtfully, background music can elevate your content, boost student engagement, and create an immersive teaching environment — especially when used with tools like OBS or your Broadcast Control Center.

🎵 Start with free, explore what fits your vibe, and don’t be afraid to invest when the time is right.