If you typed "where to" and need a place to go right now, the best answer is Free Music Archive, it is free, legal, requires no account, and no card. You can download tracks and use them in videos, as long as you follow the license shown on each song's page. That is your fastest, safest stop.
What "Free" Actually Means Here
Most people assume "free to listen" means "free to use in my video." It does not. A song on YouTube, Spotify, or a random blog is under full copyright, playing it in your video is illegal unless the rights holder says otherwise. Creative Commons and royalty-free are not the same thing. Royalty-free means you pay once (or nothing) for a license, but the terms vary wildly, some still require attribution, some forbid commercial use, and some are only for certain projects. Creative Commons is a specific set of licenses where the artist declares upfront what you may do. The Creative Commons organization runs a page called "Legal Music for Videos" that explains this clearly: you can use CC music in videos, but not music under a No Derivatives (ND) license, and you must give attribution unless the work is public domain or CC0. That page also names ccMixter as a source of CC music, that site is free, no account needed to download, and each track shows its license.
The Destination That Works: Free Music Archive
Free Music Archive (FMA) is an interactive library of legal audio downloads. Its songs are licensed under Creative Commons, Public Domain, or a customized license shown on each song page. You do not need an account to access or download, the site does not ask for one, and there is no payment card requirement anywhere in its terms. It works internationally in the sense that its terms list no country restrictions, but the rights to each track still depend on the license or public-domain status shown on that track's page. The music is free because rights holders choose to release it under those licenses. For your video, the track-level license matters: CC BY allows sharing, copying, adapting, and commercial use with attribution; CC0 or public domain allows copying, modifying, distributing, and performing without asking permission; but ND-licensed music cannot be legally synced into a video at all. FMA's own FAQ for videos states this directly, you may access or download content for free, subject to each file's license terms. So the rule is simple: pick a track, read its license box, and if it says CC BY or CC0, you are clear. If it says ND, skip it.
Who Each Site Suits
If you want a huge, searchable catalog with a clear license on every track, FMA is your best bet. It suits anyone making a video, YouTube, social media, a school project, a client pitch, because you can filter by license type. For a more community-driven option, ccMixter is a music remix and sample site where artists upload under CC licenses. It is free, no account needed to download, and the license is shown on each track. It suits musicians, podcasters, or video editors who want something a bit more experimental or remixable. If you need classical or orchestral music, Musopen is a library of public-domain recordings and sheet music, free to download, no account required for many tracks, and the public-domain status means you can use them without attribution. It suits documentarians or anyone needing a serious score. For a broader archive of all kinds of media, Archive.org hosts millions of public-domain and CC-licensed audio files, including old radio shows, concerts, and sound effects. It is free, no account needed to download, and works worldwide. It suits anyone who wants variety and does not mind digging through a less polished interface. If you are looking for music to sell or use commercially, Bandcamp is a legitimate store where artists sell their music, but be careful: most tracks there are under full copyright, so you need explicit permission to use them in a video. Bandcamp is not a free music source; it is a place to buy music. Do not use it for free video music unless the artist explicitly states a CC license on their page. For a quick reference on what licenses mean, the Creative Commons wiki page on Free Music Archive explains the license types in plain language.
What to Check Before You Commit
Before you download anything, check three things on the track page. First, the license type, look for CC BY, CC0, or Public Domain. If you see "ND" (No Derivatives) anywhere, you cannot use it in a video. Second, the attribution requirement, most CC licenses require you to credit the artist in your video description or credits. The license will tell you exactly what to write. Third, the commercial-use clause, some CC licenses allow non-commercial use only, which means you cannot use the music in a video that makes money, even from ads. If a track says "NC" (Non-Commercial), skip it unless your video is strictly personal and unmonetized. The Hootsuite blog post on Creative Commons music resources lists several other sites, but many of them require accounts or have limited free tiers. Stick with FMA, ccMixter, and Musopen for the least friction. Also, be aware that some sites like Jamendo offer free downloads but may require a free account to access the full catalog, that is not a card, but it is an extra step. If you want zero sign-up, FMA and ccMixter are your best bets. For a broader list of free media resources, Wikimedia Commons' music resources page is a good reference, but it is a list, not a download site. If you need to convert or trim a track before using it, a tool like convert audio to MP3 handles that without signup.
What About the "Free" Trap?
Some sites advertise "free music" but are actually subscription services in disguise, they let you listen free, but downloading or using the music commercially requires a paid plan. That is not what you want. The sites above are genuinely free to download and use under their licenses. However, be careful with any site that says "free for personal use", that is not a license, that is a restriction. If a site does not show a clear CC or public-domain license on the track page, assume you cannot use it. The K-State library guide on music resources and the Central Washington University libguide both list vetted sources, but they are academic references, not download sites. For your purposes, you do not need them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to create an account to download from Free Music Archive?
No. FMA does not require an account to access or download music. You can browse, search, and download tracks directly from the site without signing up or providing any payment information.
Can I use music from Free Music Archive in a monetized YouTube video?
It depends on the track's license. If the license is CC BY or CC0, yes, you can use it commercially with attribution (or without, for CC0). If the license says NC (Non-Commercial), you cannot use it in a monetized video. Always check the license on the track page before downloading.
What is the difference between Creative Commons and public domain?
Public domain means the work is not protected by copyright, you can use it for any purpose without asking permission or giving credit. Creative Commons is a set of licenses that the artist chooses to apply, which may allow use under certain conditions (like attribution, non-commercial, or no derivatives). CC0 is a Creative Commons license that dedicates the work to the public domain, so it functions like public domain.
Is ccMixter safe to use without an account?
Yes, ccMixter allows you to download tracks without an account. Each track displays its license, and you can use the music according to that license. No payment or sign-up is required for downloads.
Can I use music from Archive.org in my video?
Archive.org hosts a mix of public-domain and CC-licensed audio. Check the item's metadata for a license tag. If it says "Public Domain" or shows a CC license, you can use it. If there is no license tag, assume it is under copyright and do not use it.
More on music downloads
This is one of the guides in Where to Download Music Free and Legally. The others:
