Starts atFree trial · paid from $9.99/mo billed yearly
- No free plan
Head-to-head
Epidemic Sound vs Soundstripe: which music library is better for YouTube?
At a glance
Starts atFrom $9.99/mo
- No free option listed
Both now start at the same price: Soundstripe from $9.99/month, and Epidemic Sound Creator at $9.99/month billed yearly (US price; Epidemic Sound sets prices by country). Since price is a tie, the choice comes down to license rules. Soundstripe Personal clears one YouTube channel and is non-commercial; Pro clears up to 5 channels and client work. Epidemic Sound Creator gives unlimited downloads and covers sponsored and boosted posts, but not digital ads; Pro adds digital ads and client work.
Quick verdict
- Choose Epidemic Sound if you post across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram and want 250,000+ sound effects.
- Choose Soundstripe if you want stems on every track (Pro), stock video (Pro Plus) or a one-time single-song license.
- Doing client or ad work? You need Soundstripe Pro or Epidemic Sound Pro, not the entry plans.
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | Epidemic Sound | Soundstripe |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Creator: $9.99/month billed yearly (monthly billing price not shown on the pricing page we checked) | Personal: from $9.99/month |
| Next plan | Pro: $16.99/month billed yearly | Pro and Pro Plus: prices not shown on Soundstripe's pricing page (checked 16 Oct 2026) |
| Free plan | No. 30-day free trial | No free plan or trial mentioned on the pricing page |
| Catalog | 55,000+ tracks, 250,000+ sound effects | 58,000+ tracks, 115,000+ sound effects |
| Channels covered | Creator: 1 channel per platform. Pro: 3 per platform | Personal: 1 YouTube channel. Pro: up to 5 |
| Ads and client work | Digital ads and client work need Pro or higher | Client work and ads need Pro or higher |
| Extras | Plugins for editing tools | Stems on Pro, about 100,000 stock clips on Pro Plus, one-time licenses from $49 |
| Best for | Multi-platform creators who want lots of sound effects | YouTubers who want stems or one-off licenses |
Which one for Shorts, TikTok and Reels?
Both say their plans clear music for monetized social video. Epidemic Sound's FAQ says all plans include unlimited downloads, usage and copyright protection. Soundstripe's Personal plan clears one YouTube channel, so if you also run a second channel you need Pro. For a TikTok-first creator with one YouTube channel, either entry plan works. If you edit sponsored Reels, Soundstripe needs Pro, while Epidemic Creator covers sponsored posts. Paid digital ads need Pro on both.
How to choose
- Count your YouTube channels. More than one means Soundstripe Pro.
- Will you run the music in a paid ad? Then you need Pro on either service.
- Need only one track for one video? Soundstripe sells a $49 Personal license for a single song.
- Want sound effects in bulk? Epidemic lists 250,000+, more than double Soundstripe's 115,000+.
Common questions
Is Soundstripe cheaper than Epidemic Sound?
Not really, at entry level they cost the same. Soundstripe starts at $9.99/month. Epidemic Creator is also $9.99/month, but billed yearly ($119.88 a year). Epidemic's monthly billing price wasn't shown on the pricing page we checked, and Soundstripe does not list a yearly price.
Can I use Epidemic Sound Creator for sponsored videos?
Yes. Epidemic says the Creator license covers sponsored and boosted content. Digital ads need Pro or higher.
How many channels does Soundstripe cover?
Personal covers 1 YouTube channel. Pro and Business cover up to 5.
Related: Epidemic Sound review, Soundstripe review, Artlist vs Epidemic Sound, Artlist vs Soundstripe, royalty-free music.
Sources: epidemicsound.com/pricing, soundstripe.com/library/pricing. Epidemic 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.