Epidemic Sound vs Uppbeat: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Epidemic Sound is built for creator-music, while Uppbeat suits youtubers. For most users Uppbeat is the stronger default, but Epidemic Sound can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. Uppbeat has the lower entry price.
If you're weighing Epidemic Sound against Uppbeat, the right answer depends on your priorities. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Epidemic Sound | Uppbeat | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Freemium music platform built for YouTubers, offering a genuinely usable free tier with monthly credits plus an affordable Premium with unlimited cleared tracks. |
| Pricing | Personal/Commercial plans billed monthly or annually | Free tier with monthly credits; Premium subscription monthly/annual |
| Best audience | YouTubers and social creators wanting a large, copyright-safe music and SFX library. | YouTubers and new creators wanting free or cheap copyright-safe music. |
| Best for | creator-music, copyright-safe | youtubers, free-tier-music |
| Entry price | ~$9.99/mo (annual) | Free |
| Biggest strength | Large catalog of tracks and SFX made for creators. | Genuinely usable free tier for new creators. |
| Main caveat | Rights apply only while subscribed (no lifetime license like Artlist). | Free tier limited to a few downloads and a fraction of the catalog. |
Features compared
Where they really diverge is in the day-to-day feature set:
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)
Uppbeat key features
- Freemium music platform built for YouTubers
- Usable free tier with monthly credit-based downloads
- YouTube channel safelisting to avoid copyright flags
- Affordable Premium with unlimited cleared tracks
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 |
Uppbeat plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | ~3 downloads/mo, partial catalog, attribution required |
| Premium | $6.99/mo | Unlimited cleared tracks, safelisting |
| Business | $18.99/mo | Top tier, maximum limits/features |
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 Uppbeat wins
A freemium music platform with a genuinely usable free tier and YouTube copyright safelisting.
- Genuinely usable free tier for new creators.
- YouTube safelisting prevents false copyright claims.
That makes it the stronger pick for youTubers and new creators wanting free or cheap copyright-safe music.
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 Uppbeat if you fit its core audience — youTubers and new creators wanting free or cheap copyright-safe music.
FAQ
Is Epidemic Sound better than Uppbeat?
Uppbeat is the stronger default for most users, but Epidemic Sound can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Epidemic Sound and Uppbeat?
Epidemic Sound is a creator-built music and SFX catalog with built-in protection from YouTube/social copyright claims. Uppbeat is a freemium music platform with a genuinely usable free tier and YouTube copyright safelisting.
Which is cheaper, Epidemic Sound or Uppbeat?
Entry pricing differs: Epidemic Sound starts at ~$9.99/mo (annual), while Uppbeat offers a free tier. 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 Uppbeat: