Starts atFree trial · paid from $9.99/mo billed yearly
- No free plan
Head-to-head
Epidemic Sound vs Lickd: library music or licensed chart hits?
At a glance
Starts atPaid
- No free option listed
These two do different jobs. Epidemic Sound gives you unlimited use of its own library of 55,000+ tracks for a flat subscription. Lickd licenses mainstream, chart music for YouTube, priced by how many tracks you need and how many views your videos get. Pick Lickd only when you need a specific famous song.
Quick verdict
- Choose Epidemic Sound if you need background music for many videos at a fixed cost.
- Choose Lickd if a video needs a real hit song you would recognize, and you want it licensed.
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | Epidemic Sound | Lickd |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat subscription. Creator: $9.99/month billed yearly (US price; Epidemic Sound sets prices by country) (monthly billing price not shown on the pricing page we checked) | Subscription with 1, 2 or 4 Premium tracks a month. Price set by your average video views |
| One-off license | Not offered on the pricing page | Mainstream tracks from $8 each, rising with views |
| Free plan | No. 30-day free trial | No. 30-day money-back guarantee if you do not use a track credit |
| Music | 55,000+ owned tracks, 250,000+ sound effects | Mainstream tracks plus unlimited royalty-free tracks |
| Usage | Unlimited downloads and usage | Track credits limit how many mainstream songs you use |
| Big channels | Follower and view limits not stated on Epidemic Sound's pricing page (checked 22 Oct 2026) | 2M+ views: "Talk to us" |
| Best for | Volume creators | A few videos that need a known song |
For Shorts, TikTok and Reels creators
On TikTok and Reels, the in-app sound library already covers trending songs for organic posts. Lickd matters most on YouTube, where using a hit without a license can bring a claim. Epidemic Sound covers the daily music bed. Some creators use both: Epidemic Sound for every video, Lickd for the one video that needs a famous track.
How to choose
- Ask if the song must be a known hit. If yes, Lickd.
- If you just need mood music, Epidemic Sound costs less per video.
- On Lickd, check your average views in its calculator, since price scales with them.
- Use the trial or money-back period to test before you commit.
Common questions
Is Lickd worth it for YouTube?
If you need one famous song, yes. For general background music, a flat library like Epidemic Sound is cheaper.
How much does Lickd cost per song?
Lickd says one-off mainstream licenses start from $8 per track and scale with your viewer count.
Can I use Epidemic Sound music in ads?
Digital ads need Pro or a higher plan. Creator covers sponsored and boosted posts, per its pricing page.
Related: Artlist vs Epidemic Sound, Epidemic Sound alternatives, royalty-free music tools.
Sources: epidemicsound.com/pricing, lickd.co/pricing. Epidemic Sound prices are from its pricing page, checked 22 Oct 2026. Checked on 16 October 2026. Based on published plans and terms, not a hands-on test.