The Internet hosts billions of files and multimedia content such as music, videos, documents etc. Artists and Musicians create content and distribute their work online in an attempt to “spread the word” to the world, and they can even offer their artistic work for free.
Although the majority of websites online distribute copyrighted content illegally, there are a handful of online places where you can download songs and listen to music for free and legally.
In this post we are presenting the most popular free and legal music download websites. The list includes also two smartphone apps which help you find free music as well. Let’s see the list below:
1) Musopen
Musopen is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to music education resources. They offer a variety of content for free, including royalty-free music recordings and sheet music. The website also offers educational materials and mobile apps designed for students and teachers. However, you will not find the latest pop hits.
With a free membership, users can download up to five files per day. The files are standard definition (SD) audio and available without copyright restrictions. Musopen also offers two paid memberships. A standard member can download unlimited high-quality audio files, access HD radio, and receive music before it is released to free members.
2) DatPiff
DatPiff is a platform that allows artists to share their mixtapes with the public. It mostly caters to the hip-hop and rap genres and currently has over 15 million active users. Anyone can visit the site and start streaming free music. Mixtapes that are funded by the label or artist are also available for free to any user for download.
With a registered account, users can download a set number of premium mixtapes. DatPiff also offers a paid membership, which includes unlimited downloads of all content. Users can access the music directly through the website or by downloading a mobile app for their iOS or Android device.
3) SoundCloud
SoundCloud is a music distribution platform. Artists can upload their own music while fans can access this music for free through the SoundCloud website or mobile app.
Users can stream music, create playlists, comment on tracks, and share their favorite music on Twitter or Facebook. The available music covers a variety of popular genres, including alternative, pop, and hip-hop.
For music fans, there is a free membership and a paid membership. With the paid SoundCloud Go account, members can listen to music offline and without ads. They also provide full access to the 150 million tracks available on the site.
4) Audiomack
Audiomack offers free music sharing for artists and fans. There are no premium accounts. All users have unlimited access to music streaming. Artists and labels may also upload unlimited music to their free account and create embeddable audio players on their websites. Uploaders can also access detailed analytics and monetize their music.
Music streaming is available through the website or mobile apps for Android or iOS devices. While all artists can upload music, most of the albums and songs on Audiomack belong to the hip-hop or rap genre. Audiomack shares many of the same features provided by SoundCloud, without tiered membership plans.
5) Amazon Music
Amazon Music provides a variety of options for streaming and downloading music, including the latest hits from top artists. Most of this content requires a membership to Amazon Music Unlimited, Amazon Prime, or individual purchase. However, Amazon Music does include a category containing only free songs and albums.
The free selection of songs on Amazon Music includes a mixture of royalty-free music and some modern releases. Many of the modern songs are holiday-themed collections, such as free Christmas compilations featuring popular artists. The songs can either be streamed on the Amazon website or Amazon Music mobile app. Downloads are also available for most of the free songs.
6) SoundClick
SoundClick is a website for artists and listeners. Artists may upload their songs and albums, which are made available for free streaming on the website. There are no premium memberships. All users get free streaming and uploads. SoundClick also released an app for Android and iOS mobile devices, allowing free streaming from any internet-connected device.
Listeners may create playlists, stream music, interact with artists, and download lossless audio files. While these services are free, the website does encourage fans to purchase songs from their favorite independent artists. Users may even tip the artists when purchasing a song, to offer an additional contribution.
7) Mp3 Music Download Hunter
MP3 Music Download Hunter is an Android app that allows users to search for free MP3 downloads. Users do not need to create an account or pay any membership fees. The app only searches for songs that are available through the Creative Commons license for noncommercial use. The developers claim that the app has access to over one million free MP3 files.
Users can easily search for music by genre, hashtag, or artist name. The music typically comes from independent artists and includes a variety of musical genres. After finding music through the search feature, users can download the MP3 files to their phones for listening without an internet connection.
8) Wynk Music: MP3 & Hindi Songs
Wynk Music allows free streaming of MP3 files from popular artists and international stars. It is an Android mobile app that includes access to over three million songs. The app does include free streaming for some of the latest hits. However, the app is geared toward Hindi songs and Bollywood movie soundtracks.
While the app is free to use, it plays ads between songs. For ad-free listening, users must upgrade to the premium version of the app. The Wynk Music app is also a music library and an MP3 player. It can access downloaded MP3 files stored on the device.
9) Free Music Archive
Free Music Archive offers MP3 downloads without requiring users to register or create an account. Users can browse the categories to discover free MP3 files that are available with various Creative Commons Licenses.
A lot of the MP3 files are background sounds and music for use in video production and are created by independent musicians. These songs are typically licensed for commercial use. However, there is a small collection of music from independent blues, jazz, folk, and rock artists.
The website has a simple interface and a basic MP3 player for listening to songs through the site. Users may also download the tracks to their computer.
10) Last.fm
Last.fm is a music streaming website with free songs and albums. Most of the music is uploaded by independent artists, with a few releases by notable bands and musicians.
Last.fm previously offered live radio streaming featuring songs from popular musicians and the latest hits. Individual radio channels provided playlists curated around interest in a specific artist or genre. However, the website recently shut down these services.
Users may still visit the website to download and stream MP3 files uploaded by artists and labels. While the selection of songs from top artists has shrunk, the website offers thousands of free songs and albums.
11) Reverbnation
Reverbnation is free for fans and offers several membership options for artists. The website was created to offer independent artists a variety of online tools and resources for managing their career. These services include online marketing solutions and music uploads.
The music that is uploaded to Reverbnation is available for free streaming. Listeners do not need to create an account to listen to music through the website. However, they can open a free account to follow their favorite artists and discover their latest gigs. While most of the music is released by independent artists, there are a few albums by prominent artists.
12) Internet Archive Music Section
The music section of the Internet Archive includes a growing database of free MP3 files. These files include a mixture of songs, soundtracks, sound effects, speeches, and historical audio files. Users may even find old radio broadcasts. Other categories include audio books and poetry, podcasts, and church sermons.
Users can stream or download these files for personal use or commercial use, depending on the license. The website does not require a membership or an account to begin playing or downloading MP3 files. However, they do encourage listeners to donate to the nonprofit Internet Archive, which also archives old video, scanned books, and other downloadable media.
13) Jamendo Music
Jamendo Music offers two categories of music and MP3 files. Users can either search for independent artists or stock music. The stock music can be used for videos or background music at events.
When listening to music on the website, listeners can browse playlists or radio stations to discover new artists. Along with free streaming through the website, users can download the MP3 files. After creating a free account, members also have the option to like a song, share it, or add it to a playlist.
Jamendo Music also provides free music uploads for independent artists and labels, while providing a platform to license their tracks.
14) NoiseTrade
NoiseTrade helps independent artists and labels connect with fans while providing a music streaming platform. Users can browse the music for free and listen to one or two tracks from an album. However, if they want to stream or download the full album, they must submit their email address.
The email address is then added to an email list for the artist or label, allowing the listener to receive email newsletters and updates about new music. Users may also leave a tip for the artist.
Besides music, the website also offers a large selection of independently-released digital books, audiobooks, and digital comics. These downloads also require users to submit an email address.
15) YouTube
YouTube is one of the most visited websites on the internet and home to millions of videos, including a wide range of music videos. Users can find official music videos for their favorite songs, along with a large assortment of user-uploaded songs set to picture slideshows or lyrics. While signed into YouTube, users may also tag videos as favorites and subscribe to channels that regularly upload new music.
Users can access YouTube from any web browser or through the YouTube app on their smartphone or tablet. The videos are streamed, allowing users to view videos instantly without downloading any content. In order to be on the legal side of the Law, we suggest not to download or extract the music from the videos but just listen to the song on the actual youtube website.
Amazing article, its really informative! I’m a big fan of Kdrama, and it’s my hobby to listen to their official soundtrack. I tried using various free online downloaders to help me with my past time. I suggest you can also consider Pastedownload, Y2mate, AceThinker MP3Juice Downloader, and Keepvid. I hope this will help so you can have more options to choose from.
Thanks! I have been looking for reliable music sites aside from YouTube and I appreciate that you mentioned a lot of them! Now I have many places that I can visit to get music. I would also like to recommend an online tool called [] that works just like the sites that you mentioned. I hope you can give a review about it too.