Here’s a List of Some of the Best Royalty-Free Stock Footage and Audio Sites

Jamie Perez • March 28, 2024

For professional content creators who rely on paid sites for their video and audio needs, here's a list of subscription-based video and audio libraries that content creators can consider for access to a wide range of high-quality video footage and audio assets:

For Royalty-Free Stock Footage:

 

  1. Pexels: Pexels offers a vast collection of high-quality, free stock videos that you can use for any purpose, including commercial projects.
  2. Videvo: Videvo provides a wide range of free and premium stock footage and motion graphics. They have a user-friendly search filter and offer HD and 4K videos.
  3. Pixabay: Pixabay not only offers free stock images but also has a growing library of free videos and animations for your creative needs.
  4. Videezy: Videezy features a community-driven collection of free and premium HD stock footage. They offer a variety of video categories to choose from.
  5. Coverr: Coverr specializes in providing free, visually appealing videos for website backgrounds. Their selection is updated regularly.
  6. Storyblocks (formerly Videoblocks): While it's primarily a subscription-based service, Storyblocks offers a free section with a limited selection of high-quality videos.


For Royalty-Free Stock Audio:

  1. YouTube Audio Library: YouTube provides a wide range of free music and sound effects that you can use in your videos without worrying about copyright issues.
  2. Free Music Archive: FMA offers a vast collection of music tracks that are free to use, with options for various licenses.
  3. Incompetech: Incompetech is known for its extensive library of royalty-free music composed by Kevin MacLeod. You can use his music in your projects by giving proper credit.
  4. AudioJungle: While it offers paid music tracks, AudioJungle also has a free section that includes high-quality audio tracks and sound effects.
  5. Free Music for Videos: This website provides a selection of free music tracks specifically curated for video creators, with easy-to-understand licensing terms.
  6. SoundCloud: Many independent artists and creators share their music on SoundCloud under Creative Commons licenses. Be sure to check the license details for each track.

Remember to review the licensing terms and restrictions for each resource to ensure compliance with your specific project needs. Always attribute or credit the creators when required, and consider supporting these creators whenever possible, especially if you find their work valuable for your content. ***


Subscription-Based Video Libraries:

  1. Artgrid: Artgrid offers a subscription service that provides access to a diverse collection of high-quality cinematic footage. They offer various subscription tiers based on video quality and licensing options.
  2. Storyblocks: Storyblocks offers an extensive library of stock footage, motion backgrounds, and After Effects templates. They offer affordable subscription plans for unlimited downloads.
  3. Shutterstock Footage: Shutterstock provides a vast collection of stock footage with various subscription options, allowing you to access video clips in different resolutions.
  4. Getty Images Video: Getty Images offers a subscription service that includes premium video content alongside their renowned image library.
  5. Adobe Stock: Adobe Stock, in addition to images, offers a wide range of video assets. It seamlessly integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
  6. Envato Elements: Envato Elements is a subscription-based platform that includes stock video footage, After Effects templates, and a plethora of creative assets for designers and video editors.

Subscription-Based Audio Libraries:

  1. Epidemic Sound: Epidemic Sound offers a subscription service that grants access to a vast library of royalty-free music and sound effects designed for content creators.
  2. PremiumBeat: PremiumBeat, a Shutterstock company, provides a subscription service with access to a diverse selection of high-quality music tracks for videos.
  3. Artlist: Artlist offers a subscription-based music licensing service for content creators, with a simple and straightforward licensing structure.
  4. Soundstripe: Soundstripe provides a subscription service that offers unlimited access to their music library for video projects. They also offer sound effects and stock video.
  5. Pond5: Pond5 offers a subscription plan that includes access to a vast library of music tracks, sound effects, and video footage, making it a one-stop shop for multimedia content.
  6. Musicbed: Musicbed offers a subscription option for unlimited access to their music catalog, which includes a wide range of genres and moods.

When choosing a subscription-based library, consider your specific needs, budget, and the types of projects you'll be working on. Each platform may have its own unique features, licensing terms, and pricing structures, so it's essential to review them carefully to find the best fit for your content creation workflow. ***

A person is sitting at a table using a laptop computer.
By Jamie Perez April 1, 2025
Storytelling is so important for any organization to engage in, but for nonprofits in particular, sharing stories is what will open up hearts, minds and wallets so they can continue providing their much needed services. Fundraising takes time. So while nonprofits are on that timeline, there's a certain order in which stories can be shared that will help optimize fundraising dollars: WHILE YOU'RE FUNDRAISING : Tell the incomplete story. This is featuring someone who is currently seeking services from your organization and still needs help. When you tell the story of someone who has already completed their journey or isn't in as great or immediate of a need, donors might think, "Well this person's been taken care of so they don't need my help." If you tell the story of someone currently in need and highlight some of the challenges they face, this creates more of a sense of urgency. AFTER YOU'VE REACHED YOUR FUNDRAISING GOAL : Now, you can tell that complete story. Do a follow up with the person whose incomplete story you told and provide an update. Send it out in a newsletter. Keep your donors informed on how their donation dollars helped change this person's life, the problems they helped solve, the impact they made, and how consistent donations will help more people in the future. You can also just tell different stories entirely in this phase and talk about how fundraising efforts like the one you just held, help hundreds of people like the ones you're highlighting in the stories you've shared. BONUS: GETTING MORE DONORS OR GETTING YOUR CURRENT DONORS MORE INVOLVED: Why should people donate to your organization out of the thousands of others who also need financial support? When you can share your DONOR'S stories, other people may hear their stories and be able to relate to their "why". There are three different styles of videos you can refer to to get ideas on how you incorporate donor storytelling: 1) This video was sent out to donors for a nonprofit based in Madison, WI called Little John's Kitchens. This nonprofit works with food insecurity, providing meals at a pay-what-you-can option and utilizes other low cost models for people to have access to chef-quality meals who may not know where their next meal is coming from. The video was created AFTER receiving donations during a campaign to show donors what their donations helped the organization achieve: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV8tQCKTL-E 2) This video featured loyal donors of the same organization about WHY they continue to give to Little John's Kitchens. When you make your donors part of the journey, instead of just asking them for funds when you need help, you build loyalty and they feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DVfbtzBIwM 3) And finally, this video thanks the donors specifically. Don't just converse with your donors when you need money from them. Tell them how much and why you appreciate them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NPd_MM-MOk
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