Bensound
Bensound is a stock music library of cinematic, acoustic, lo-fi and pop tracks. Free tracks need a unique attribution text for every video; paid plans remove credit and add YouTube channel whitelisting. The Individual subscription costs EUR 119 per year.
TL;DR
YouTubers who want a stock-music style library that is free if they credit each video, with a cheap upgrade path. Where you can use it: Twitch unconfirmed, YouTube safe with steps, TikTok safe with steps, Instagram safe with steps, Kick unconfirmed. You must credit it.
Where is Bensound safe to use?
Based on Bensound's own license terms, checked October 2026. “Copyright-free” on one platform doesn't mean safe everywhere, so we check each one.
- Safe
- Safe with steps
- Not allowed
- Not confirmed
| Twitch live streams | Safe with steps Free license allows 'online video or live video streaming' that is free to access, with an attribution text. Bensound does not explain how to place per-video text for Twitch. |
|---|---|
| Twitch VODs, clips & highlights | Not confirmed Bensound's FAQ warns Twitch and similar platforms use automated recognition and you may still see claims or muting notices due to platform rules. |
| YouTube videos & live streams | Safe with steps Free: paste the unique attribution text in the description. If you get a claim, add the text and dispute it so Bensound's system releases it. Paid plans: add your YouTube channel ID so claims are released automatically. |
| TikTok | Safe with steps Bensound's free music page names TikTok as a place to use the free music, with attribution. No auto-clearing for claims. |
| Instagram Reels & Live | Safe with steps Free music page names Instagram; with attribution. Dispute claims directly on the platform. |
| Kick | Not confirmed Kick is not named; free page lists YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. |
Bensound at a glance
- Price
- Free / from €9.99/mo
- Free option available
- Catalog
- Thousands of tracks
- Credit
- Required
- See how to credit below
- Contains
- No AI music
Genres
- Acoustic
- Cinematic
- Electronic
- Pop
- Jazz
- Folk
- Lo-fi
- Hip-Hop
- Ambient
- Dark
Company
Bensound, founded by composer Benjamin Tissot (site active since 2012). Prices are in euros.
Includes
- Sound effects
- Free Music filter
- YouTube channel whitelisting on paid plans
- Pay-per-track licenses
Which plan you need
Free License with Attribution covers the 'Free Music' section, including monetized YouTube and live video streaming, if the video stays free to watch. Paid: Individual EUR 9.99/mo billed EUR 119/yr (approx. USD 11/mo; 1 channel per platform, YouTube whitelisting and monetization); Professional EUR 19.99/mo (EUR 239/yr, 5 channels per platform); Business EUR 39.99/mo (EUR 479/yr, unlimited channels). Pay-per-track licenses also exist. Our old 'EUR 144/year' figure is outdated.
Can you monetize?
Yes. The FAQ says you can monetize YouTube videos with the Free License with Attribution. Free use also covers live video streaming that is free to access. Free license is not for client work, ads or paywalled videos.
How to credit Bensound
On the free license, download a track and copy the unique attribution text from the pop-up into your video description. Each attribution text works for ONE video only; re-download for each new video and add one per track. Paid plans need no attribution.
Content ID, claims, and VOD mutes
Bensound tracks are registered. Free-license videos get claimed if the attribution text is missing or wrong; adding the exact text and disputing releases the claim. Paid users can whitelist YouTube channels (1 on Individual, 5 on Professional, unlimited on Business) for automatic release. Videos published during a subscription stay cleared if you close your account.
Not sure how claims, strikes, and mutes differ? Read our DMCA guide.
Watch out for
- The attribution text is unique per video and per track; reusing it on other videos breaks the license.
- Only tracks in the 'Free Music' section are free. Everything else needs a paid license.
- Free license is limited to content that is free to watch; not for client work or paid ads.
- Channel whitelisting is paid-only.
- Paid subscriptions are annual billing; prices are in EUR.
- Facebook, Instagram and Twitch can still mute or claim due to platform rules.
Bensound FAQ
Is Bensound safe to use on Twitch?
Yes, with conditions. Live streams: Free license allows 'online video or live video streaming' that is free to access, with an attribution text. Bensound does not explain how to place per-video text for Twitch. VODs and clips: Bensound's FAQ warns Twitch and similar platforms use automated recognition and you may still see claims or muting notices due to platform rules.
Will Bensound music get my YouTube videos claimed?
Yes, with conditions. Free: paste the unique attribution text in the description. If you get a claim, add the text and dispute it so Bensound's system releases it. Paid plans: add your YouTube channel ID so claims are released automatically. Bensound tracks are registered. Free-license videos get claimed if the attribution text is missing or wrong; adding the exact text and disputing releases the claim. Paid users can whitelist YouTube channels (1 on Individual, 5 on Professional, unlimited on Business) for automatic release. Videos published during a subscription stay cleared if you close your account.
Can I use Bensound on TikTok, Instagram, or Kick?
TikTok: Yes, with conditions. Bensound's free music page names TikTok as a place to use the free music, with attribution. No auto-clearing for claims. Instagram: Yes, with conditions. Free music page names Instagram; with attribution. Dispute claims directly on the platform. Kick: Not confirmed. Kick is not named; free page lists YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Is Bensound free?
Yes, there is a free option. Pricing: Free / from €9.99/mo. Free License with Attribution covers the 'Free Music' section, including monetized YouTube and live video streaming, if the video stays free to watch. Paid: Individual EUR 9.99/mo billed EUR 119/yr (approx. USD 11/mo; 1 channel per platform, YouTube whitelisting and monetization); Professional EUR 19.99/mo (EUR 239/yr, 5 channels per platform); Business EUR 39.99/mo (EUR 479/yr, unlimited channels). Pay-per-track licenses also exist. Our old 'EUR 144/year' figure is outdated.
Do I need to credit Bensound?
Yes. On the free license, download a track and copy the unique attribution text from the pop-up into your video description. Each attribution text works for ONE video only; re-download for each new video and add one per track. Paid plans need no attribution.
Can I monetize content that uses Bensound?
Yes. The FAQ says you can monetize YouTube videos with the Free License with Attribution. Free use also covers live video streaming that is free to access. Free license is not for client work, ads or paywalled videos.