Soundstripe vs Epidemic Sound - 5 KEY Difference To Know!

Royalty-free music sites like Soundstripe and Epidemic Sound offer a vast collection of music to choose from, but how do they compare? In this article, we'll break down the similarities and differences between Soundstripe, and Epidemic Sound to help you determine which one is the best fit for you.

February 27, 2024
Soundstripe vs Epidemic Sound - 5 KEY Difference To Know!
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Soundstripe vs Epidemic Sound - Which Is Best In 2023?

epidemic sound vs soundstripe

Soundstripe and Epidemic Sound are renowned platforms that empower creators with high-quality music for their projects without the intricacies of traditional licensing. Both cater to the needs of filmmakers, YouTubers, and content creators, but they bring distinct offerings to the table, making it crucial to discern their differences to select the ideal fit for your audio requirements.

The primary distinction lies in the fact that Soundstripe operates on a subscription-based model, granting unlimited access to its music library, while Epidemic Sound offers both subscription services and individual track purchases, catering to varied user preferences.

In this article, we'll cover the following to help you make a well-informed decision before choosing between the two:

  • Overview of both pltaforms
  • Library size
  • Pricing
  • Licensing

Soundstripe Overview

Soundstripe is one of the newer music licensing platform that offers unlimited access to a library of royalty-free music for a flat monthly fee. The platform is known for its easy-to-use interface and its medium-sized library of 320kbps music tracks, which are mostly exclusive to Soundstripe as some similar artists can be found on Artlist & Epidemic Sound (which is no surprise since Soundstripe is new). Unlike Epidemic Sound & Artlist, Soundstripe also offers a variety of features, such as customizable soundtracks, which allow users to quickly and easily create the perfect music tracks for their projects.

Founded in 2015 by three adept musicians, the platform has swiftly become a go-to for content creators, ranging from individual filmmakers to eminent clients like Microsoft, Tesla, and Amazon. With a subscription-based model, members relish the luxury of unlimited access to 'radio quality music' without fretting over licensing hassles, as all permissions are seamlessly handled by Soundstripe.

What sets Soundstripe apart is not just its royalty-free music but also its commitment to the artists. While creators enjoy royalty-free tunes, the artists behind these tracks are fairly compensated by the broadcasting platforms. The platform boasts a user-friendly interface, reminiscent of its newer status in the market, and a library that, although medium-sized, is rich in 320kbps music tracks. Some of these tracks might echo the vibes of artists from Epidemic Sound or Artlist, but Soundstripe's exclusivity shines through its unique offerings.

While Soundstripe hasn't ventured into developing its editing software, it seamlessly integrates with popular editing tools. Recent collaborations with Adobe Premiere Pro, Frame.io, and Twitch enable users to effortlessly import media directly into their projects. The 'intelligent track swapping' feature in Adobe Premiere Pro is particularly noteworthy, allowing users to replace preview tracks with high-resolution ones while retaining all edits. In essence, Soundstripe is more than just a music licensing platform; it's a holistic solution for modern-day content creators.

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Epidemic Sound Overview

Epidemic sound review

Epidemic Sound, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, stands as a beacon in the realm of stock music. Established with a vision to revolutionize the music industry, this platform has rapidly ascended to become the first choice for content creators, ranging from budding YouTubers to global brands like Google, Facebook, and NBC. Adopting a subscription-based approach, members are granted the privilege of unlimited access to a vast array of 'broadcast quality music', all while being assured that the intricate web of licensing is adeptly managed by Epidemic Sound.

What truly distinguishes Epidemic Sound is its dual commitment: to the creators and to the musicians. While subscribers bask in the freedom of royalty-free melodies, the talented artists behind these compositions receive fair compensation, ensuring a sustainable ecosystem. The platform's interface, polished and intuitive, houses a vast library of music tracks that resonate with diverse moods and genres. While there might be overlaps with artists from Soundstripe or Artlist, Epidemic Sound's essence is encapsulated in its unique and diverse offerings.

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What is the difference between Soundstripe and Epidemic Sound?

We were asking that same question before we did the research ourselves. Here's a table to compare wither platforms side by side. It's pretty obvious that Epidemic Sound is significantly bigger in so many aspects.

Metrics Epidemic Sound Soundstripe
Pricing $15/month $11.25/month
Licensing Unlimited License Single Use License
Music Quality High Medium
Personal Star Rating 4.5 3.8
Number of Users 1 Million+ 500,000+
Genres Available Multiple Multiple
Free Trial Yes Yes
Customer Support Email, Chat Email, Chat
Refund Policy 30 Days 14 Days

Library Size

Soundstripe and Epidemic Sound are two prominent music licensing companies that cater to creators looking for quality tracks for their projects. Both platforms have carved out a niche for themselves in the music licensing industry, but they differ in several key areas.

Soundstripe

Soundstripe's audio library, at the time of the last update, boasts over 9,000 royalty-free tracks spanning more than 20 genres, from cinematic to folk to electronic and pop-punk. They add new music every week and maintain a highly curated library to ensure every song remains of radio quality. Each track in Soundstripe's library comes with alternative versions, and most songs include stem files. These alternates are loops or differently mixed versions of the main song, designed to provide more options for creators. Soundstripe also offers a library of over 60,000 sound effects and over 100,000 stock video clips. Their platform allows users to search for songs using 12 different filters, including instrument type, genre, mood, key, and beats per minute (BPM).

Epidemic Sound

On the other hand, Epidemic Sound has a more extensive library, with over 35,000 songs in their catalog. Their platform allows users to search for songs using three main filters: genres, moods, and artists. The genres view alone has 26 main categories with around 100 subgenres spread across these categories. Epidemic Sound also offers a sound effects library, which, at the time of writing, contains around 90,000 SFX. Like Soundstripe, Epidemic provides alternate versions of every song downloaded, including song stems. They also offer albums, which are their versions of playlists, focusing on specific artists or broader themes.

Pricing

epidemic sound pricing

The pricing structure is equally complex, with Soundstripe and Epidemic Sound both providing a monthly or yearly subscription. Soundstripe is the most economical choice, starting at $12.50 per month or $135 per year and Epidemic Sound falls in the middle, with a starting price of $15 per month or $144 per year. Epidemic Sound also has a 7-day free trial for those who want to try the platform prior to committing to a paid plan.

Many creators are often perplexed by the myriad of choices available when it comes to music licensing platforms, and it's absolutely justified. With platforms like Soundstripe and Epidemic Sound, you're presented with a plethora of subscription options. Delving into the specifics, Soundstripe emerges as a more budget-friendly contender, priced at a modest $12.50 monthly or an annual fee of $135. On the other hand, Epidemic Sound positions itself slightly higher, demanding $15 every month or an annual commitment of $144.

If you're unfamiliar with these platforms, you might be curious about their offerings and distinctions. Numerous music licensing platforms are vying for attention, but Soundstripe and Epidemic Sound have carved a niche for themselves. Soundstripe's appeal lies in its affordability, while Epidemic Sound offers a broader range of tracks. The real artistry, however, lies in selecting the platform that aligns with your creative vision and budgetary constraints. It's genuinely remarkable how these platforms have revolutionized the music licensing landscape.

Price Drop Alert

Licensing

royalty free music definition

Many creators are concerned about the intricacies of music licensing platforms, and rightly so. With the plethora of options available, it's crucial to choose a platform that offers not only quality music but also a hassle-free licensing process. Soundstripe and Epidemic Sound are two such platforms that have garnered attention in the creative community, and we're here to delve into their licensing nuances.

Soundstripe

Soundstripe emphasizes the ease of their licensing process. They aim to eliminate the complexities often associated with music licensing, allowing creators to focus solely on their art. With Soundstripe, the idea is clear: provide top-notch music while ensuring that the licensing process remains straightforward and transparent, safeguarding creators from potential legal pitfalls.

Epidemic Sound

On the other side of the spectrum, Epidemic Sound designed their licensing process to be user-centric, providing alternate versions of every song for added flexibility. Additionally, the inclusion of song stems means creators have even more options to tailor the music to their specific needs. Epidemic Sound's commitment is evident: deliver high-quality music while streamlining the licensing process, ensuring that creators have both the tools and the peace of mind they need.

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Is Soundstripe or Epidemic Sound better?

A lot of you are interested in Artlist as well, and we've made a separate article for that. If you want a quick answer, here you go: When it comes to choosing between Soundstripe, Artlist, and Epidemic Sound, it ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Soundstripe is a great choice for those looking for an affordable and easy-to-use platform with a library of exclusive music tracks. Artlist is ideal for those looking for a high-quality library of hand-picked music tracks and a range of additional features, such as sound effects. Epidemic Sound is a versatile platform that offers a range of subscription options and a library of exclusive music tracks, as well as sound effects and other audio content. Ultimately, no matter which platform you choose, you'll have access to a wide range of high-quality music tracks to enhance your creative projects.