Pixabay Music
Pixabay Music is a free library of 300,000+ community-uploaded tracks, usable commercially with no credit required. Some creators register their tracks in YouTube Content ID, so claims happen and you have to dispute them with Pixabay's license certificate. Pixabay gives no guidance for Twitch or Kick.
TL;DR
Creators on a zero budget making YouTube or social videos who will check for the shield icon and handle the odd claim. Where you can use it: Twitch unconfirmed, YouTube safe with steps, TikTok safe with steps, Instagram safe with steps, Kick unconfirmed. No credit needed.
Where is Pixabay Music safe to use?
Based on Pixabay Music'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 | Not confirmed The license allows commercial or non-commercial use with no platform limits, but Pixabay never mentions live streaming, Twitch or DMCA help. |
|---|---|
| Twitch VODs, clips & highlights | Not confirmed Not addressed. Some tracks are registered with fingerprinting systems by their creators, so VOD mutes are possible. Pixabay says nothing about Audible Magic. |
| YouTube videos & live streams | Safe with steps Allowed, but tracks with a shield icon are in Content ID and can be claimed. Dispute with 'I have permission or a license' and paste the license certificate. |
| TikTok | Safe with steps Pixabay's FAQ says its music can be used 'on social media platforms', though TikTok isn't named. Automated detection may still mute videos. |
| Instagram Reels & Live | Safe with steps Allowed. Pixabay warns Instagram/Facebook "may mute or block content." Use the same dispute info as YouTube. Platforms can verify with info@pixabay.com. |
| Kick | Not confirmed Not mentioned. The license is broad, but Pixabay offers no streaming guidance. |
Pixabay Music at a glance
- Price
- Free
- Free option available
- Catalog
- 300,000+ tracks
- Credit
- Not required
- Use it without a credit
- Contains
- Some AI music
- Alongside human-made tracks
Genres
- World
- Suspense
- Beats
- Percussion
- Metal
- Salsa
- Upbeat
- Folk
- R&B
- Lo-fi
- Cinematic
- Phonk
- Corporate
Company
Pixabay, 'a Canva Germany GmbH brand' (Berlin, Germany). Founded 2010 and part of Canva since 2019.
Includes
- SFX
- Downloadable license certificate
- Shield icon marks Content ID-registered tracks
Which plan you need
Everything is free. A free account lets you download the license certificate (.txt) that you need to dispute claims.
Can you monetize?
Yes, the license allows commercial use. But a Content ID claim sends your YouTube ad money to the claimant until you win a dispute.
Content ID, claims, and VOD mutes
Yes, for some tracks. Pixabay says "Some contributors upload their tracks to Pixabay for free use but also register them with Content ID." Tracks with a shield icon are registered and may trigger claims. Certificates are available for those tracks. To dispute on YouTube, choose 'I have permission or a license', then add the track title, Pixabay URL, license link and certificate text. Pixabay warns that if the rights holder rejects your appeal again, it could escalate to a copyright strike. Contacting the artist through their Pixabay profile can speed things up.
Not sure how claims, strikes, and mutes differ? Read our DMCA guide.
Watch out for
- Free doesn't mean claim-free: avoid tracks with the shield icon if you don't want YouTube claims.
- If a dispute is rejected again, it can escalate to a strike.
- Pixabay allows AI-generated uploads (they must be labeled 'AI-generated'), so some music may be AI-made. We found no AI filter on the music page.
- Pixabay says nothing about Twitch, Kick or live streams.
- Can't re-upload tracks on their own or in music-only videos.
- Download the license certificate when you grab a track. You'll need it for disputes.
Pixabay Music FAQ
Is Pixabay Music safe to use on Twitch?
Not confirmed. Live streams: The license allows commercial or non-commercial use with no platform limits, but Pixabay never mentions live streaming, Twitch or DMCA help. VODs and clips: Not addressed. Some tracks are registered with fingerprinting systems by their creators, so VOD mutes are possible. Pixabay says nothing about Audible Magic.
Will Pixabay Music music get my YouTube videos claimed?
Yes, with conditions. Allowed, but tracks with a shield icon are in Content ID and can be claimed. Dispute with 'I have permission or a license' and paste the license certificate. Yes, for some tracks. Pixabay says "Some contributors upload their tracks to Pixabay for free use but also register them with Content ID." Tracks with a shield icon are registered and may trigger claims. Certificates are available for those tracks. To dispute on YouTube, choose 'I have permission or a license', then add the track title, Pixabay URL, license link and certificate text. Pixabay warns that if the rights holder rejects your appeal again, it could escalate to a copyright strike. Contacting the artist through their Pixabay profile can speed things up.
Can I use Pixabay Music on TikTok, Instagram, or Kick?
TikTok: Yes, with conditions. Pixabay's FAQ says its music can be used 'on social media platforms', though TikTok isn't named. Automated detection may still mute videos. Instagram: Yes, with conditions. Allowed. Pixabay warns Instagram/Facebook "may mute or block content." Use the same dispute info as YouTube. Platforms can verify with info@pixabay.com. Kick: Not confirmed. Not mentioned. The license is broad, but Pixabay offers no streaming guidance.
Is Pixabay Music free?
Yes, there is a free option. Pricing: Free. Everything is free. A free account lets you download the license certificate (.txt) that you need to dispute claims.
Do I need to credit Pixabay Music?
No, credit isn't required. Not required ("You do not need to credit Pixabay or the contributor"). Keep the track URL and license certificate in case of a claim.
Can I monetize content that uses Pixabay Music?
Yes, the license allows commercial use. But a Content ID claim sends your YouTube ad money to the claimant until you win a dispute.