The Booming Royalty-Free Music Market
The global royalty-free music industry is experiencing impressive growth.
In 2024, the market was valued at approximately $1.43 billion, and it’s projected to reach $1.52 billion in 2025, growing to $2.03 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of almost 6%.
When looking at the broader stock music space, it’s even larger—with a valuation of $3.15 billion in 2024, expanding to $6.25 billion by 2033.
Why Creators & Brands Can’t Live Without It
Creators—from YouTubers to advertisers—are fueling demand. Royalty-free music offers a cost-effective, legally-clear way to enhance content without navigating complex licensing.
Platforms like Epidemic Sound and NoCopyrightSounds power creators with diverse, easy-to-license tracks.
Epidemic Sound’s recent $450M raise underscores its role as “soundtrack of the internet.
A New Revenue Pathway for Musicians
For many artists, royalty-free music isn’t charity—it’s income through exposure and digital licensing.
Splice, a platform for sample packs and loops, shares revenue with creators—and top contributors are earning hundreds of thousands annually.
Composer Kevin MacLeod is another standout—his royalty-free library (e.g., “Monkeys Spinning Monkeys,” used over 31 billion times on TikTok) has become ubiquitous in digital content creation.
Similarly, Sri Lankan composer Tilantha Hansanath supports creators with copyright-free music across diverse genres, monetizing through streams, downloads, and brand use.
What’s Fueling This Trend?
Several dynamics are driving explosive growth:
Factor Insight
Digital Growth – Subscribers to streaming services reached nearly 600 million in 2025; digital dominates consumer music engagement.
Pandemic Push – During COVID-19, platform subscriptions surged by over 30%, pushing demand for accessible royalty-free music.
Tech Innovation – AI, analytics, and cloud infrastructure are enabling personalized libraries, blockchain tracking, and seamless licensing.
Creator Ecosystem – YouTubers and similar creators increasingly rely on royalty-free tracks, turning music into both background and signature branding.
Final Thoughts
Royalty-free music has transformed from niche to necessity—serving as both a business staple for content creators and a new frontier for artists seeking creative freedom and monetization. Whether through sample packs, libraries, or indie releases, it’s a rising goldmine that’s reshaping the music industry landscape.