What is Freesound?
Freesound is a collaborative database of audio snippets, samples, field recordings and sound effects, all uploaded by its users under Creative Commons licences. It was started in 2005 at the Music Technology Group of Universitat Pompeu Fabra, a public university in Barcelona, and that group still runs it.
You can search by keyword, browse tags and packs, follow the charts, or use a map to find recordings by place. Each sound has its own licence: CC0 means free of conditions, attribution means you must credit the author, and attribution noncommercial also rules out commercial use. Generative AI audio is allowed only if it carries a GenAI tag, so it is labelled as such.
Main Features
- A large library of user-uploaded sounds and samples
- Search by keyword and sounds-like browsing
- Tags, packs, collections and charts
- A map of recordings by location
- A clear licence on every sound
- A random sound button
- Forums for sound artists
- A developer section for working with the database
How to Get Started with Freesound
- Open freesound.org and search for the sound you need.
- Listen to the previews in the results.
- Open a sound and check its licence.
- Log in or create a free account, then download the file.
- Credit the author in your project if the licence asks for it.
Freesound Pricing
Freesound is free and has no paid plan. It is supported by the Phonos Foundation, the university and donations from its community. Some sounds cannot be used commercially, and many require credit to the author.
Who Should Use It?
- Music producers looking for samples
- Indie game developers who need sound effects
- Video editors and podcasters adding atmosphere
- Students working on film or media projects
- Sound designers who want to share their recordings
- Researchers who need openly licensed audio
Freesound Alternatives
- Pixabay offers free stock media, including music and sound effects.
- ProductionCrate has sound effects and video assets for creators.
- BeepBox lets you compose short tunes in your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Freesound free?
Yes. Everything on the site is free, with no paid plan. You do need a free account to download, and each sound has licence terms to follow.
Can I use Freesound sounds commercially?
It depends on the sound. CC0 and attribution licences allow it, with attribution requiring credit. Attribution noncommercial does not allow commercial use.
Do I need an account?
You can search and listen without one, but downloading requires being logged in.
How do I credit a sound from Freesound?
Name the author and the sound, as the licence asks. The FAQ on the site has guidance on how to attribute.
Are there AI sounds on Freesound?
Uploads made with generative AI are allowed, but they must carry the GenAI tag and name the model in the description.