Epidemic Sound vs Soundstripe: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Epidemic Sound is built for creator-music, while Soundstripe suits high-affiliate-payout. For most users Epidemic Sound is the stronger default, but Soundstripe can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
Both Epidemic Sound and Soundstripe get recommended a lot, but they solve the job differently. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Epidemic Sound | Soundstripe | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Music Subscription | Music Subscription |
| What it's known for | All-in-one royalty-free music and SFX subscription with built-in safety from copyright claims on YouTube/social, plus a large catalog made for creators. | Unlimited royalty-free music and SFX subscription with one of the highest creator affiliate payouts, aimed at video producers and podcasters. |
| Pricing | Personal/Commercial plans billed monthly or annually | Unlimited subscription billed monthly or annually |
| Best audience | YouTubers and social creators wanting a large, copyright-safe music and SFX library. | Video producers and podcasters wanting unlimited music plus a high-paying affiliate program. |
| Best for | creator-music, copyright-safe | high-affiliate-payout, podcasters |
| Entry price | ~$9.99/mo (annual) | $9.99/mo |
| Biggest strength | Large catalog of tracks and SFX made for creators. | Unlimited downloads with no per-song or channel fees. |
| Main caveat | Rights apply only while subscribed (no lifetime license like Artlist). | Pro plan needed for YouTube monetization/commercial use. |
Features compared
Beyond the spec sheet, these are the capabilities that define each tool:
Epidemic Sound key features
- All-in-one royalty-free music and SFX subscription
- 55,000+ tracks and 250,000+ sound effects
- Built-in copyright-claim safety for YouTube and social
- Epidemic owns its entire catalog (watertight rights)
Soundstripe key features
- Unlimited royalty-free music and SFX subscription
- 116K+ tracks and ~100K sound effects
- Copyright-safe licensing with no recurring royalties
- Coverage for up to five YouTube channels on Pro plans
Pricing tiers side by side
Epidemic Sound plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Creator | ~$9.99/mo (annual) | One channel per platform, personal/own brand |
| Pro | ~$16.99-$30/mo | Commercial use, multiple channels, client work |
Soundstripe plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Student | $9.99/mo | Entry tier |
| Pro | $19.99/mo | YouTube monetization and commercial work |
| Pro Plus | $33.99/mo | Adds video clips and B-roll |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Epidemic Sound wins
A creator-built music and SFX catalog with built-in protection from YouTube/social copyright claims.
- Large catalog of tracks and SFX made for creators.
- Strong protection from copyright claims when following plan rules.
That makes it the stronger pick for youTubers and social creators wanting a large, copyright-safe music and SFX library.
Where Soundstripe wins
Unlimited royalty-free music and SFX with one of the highest creator affiliate payouts in the niche.
- Unlimited downloads with no per-song or channel fees.
- Large music and SFX libraries.
That makes it the stronger pick for video producers and podcasters wanting unlimited music plus a high-paying affiliate program.
Verdict: choose by fit
There is no single winner; it depends on where you sit.
- Choose Epidemic Sound if you fit its core audience — youTubers and social creators wanting a large, copyright-safe music and SFX library.
- Choose Soundstripe if you fit its core audience — video producers and podcasters wanting unlimited music plus a high-paying affiliate program.
FAQ
Is Epidemic Sound better than Soundstripe?
Epidemic Sound is the stronger default for most users, but Soundstripe can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Epidemic Sound and Soundstripe?
Epidemic Sound is a creator-built music and SFX catalog with built-in protection from YouTube/social copyright claims. Soundstripe is unlimited royalty-free music and SFX with one of the highest creator affiliate payouts in the niche.
Which is cheaper, Epidemic Sound or Soundstripe?
Entry pricing differs: Epidemic Sound starts at ~$9.99/mo (annual), while Soundstripe starts at $9.99/mo. Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Epidemic Sound and Soundstripe: