Royalty free music for reels solves one specific problem. You edited the video somewhere else, the song is baked into the file, and you need to know it won't be muted, blocked or claimed the day you post. The in-app audio library doesn't help here, because you can't cut to a track that only exists inside the app.
This guide is about sourcing: where to get tracks you can put in an edit, what each source costs, and the five checks to run before you download. If you want the background on why in-app songs and uploaded songs are treated differently, read can you use copyrighted music in reels first.
Why does the music in my reel get muted?
Because a song you added in another editor is part of the video's audio, and the platform matches it like a fingerprint. If the rights holder hasn't cleared that use, the outcome can be a muted video, a regional block, or a claim. Business and creator accounts also see a smaller music catalogue inside the app, which is why brands run into this more often.
The cost is rarely a fine. It's the edit. A beat-cut reel with its music stripped is a pile of clips that change for no reason, and you've lost the hour you spent cutting it. Trending sounds have the same problem plus a few more, covered in trending audio for reels.
Where can you get royalty free music for reels?
Six kinds of source, from free to paid. Terms differ by track and change over time, so treat this table as where to look, and the licence page as the final word.
| Source | Cost | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meta Sound Collection | Free | Facebook and Instagram, including some accounts without the full music library | Eligibility varies by account type and region |
| YouTube Audio Library | Free | YouTube first | Each track's licence decides off-YouTube use; some need a credit |
| Pixabay Music | Free | Personal and small-business posts | Some tracks are marked Content ID registered |
| Uppbeat (free tier) | Free, a few downloads a month | Trying a library before paying | A credit is required on the free tier; check commercial limits |
| Paid libraries: Epidemic Sound, Artlist, Soundstripe, Uppbeat paid | Monthly or yearly subscription | Brands, clients, ads, posting every day | Read what happens to published videos if you cancel |
| Per-track marketplaces (AudioJungle and similar) | One payment per track | One track for a whole campaign | Licence tiers differ for ads and paid use |
Free sources: fine for personal accounts, read every track
Free libraries are the right start if you post for yourself. The catch is that the licence lives on each track, not on the library. Two tracks on the same site can have different rules: one needs a credit in the caption, one is registered with a matching system, one excludes commercial use.
Paid libraries: the default for brands and clients
If the account sells something, or you're editing for a client, a paid library is usually worth it. You get a large catalogue and a licence written for commercial use. Most services also let you clear your channels with the matching systems, so your own posts aren't flagged. Compare what each plan covers for ads, since a boosted post is an ad.
How do you check a licence before you use a track?
Five questions, in this order. If the licence page can't answer one, pick another track.
- Can I use it commercially? If the account promotes a business, product or client, you need commercial use.
- Do I have to credit it? Some licences need the artist or library named in the caption or description. Write the credit before you post.
- Is it registered with Content ID or a similar system? Registered tracks can still be claimed even when you're allowed to use them. Know how to clear the claim.
- Does it cover the platforms I post to? A licence written for one platform may not cover the others you cross-post to.
- What happens if I cancel? Subscription libraries differ on whether videos you published while subscribed stay covered.
How do you pick a track that's good to cut to?
A licence makes a track legal; it doesn't make it cuttable. For a beat-cut reel, look for a clear drum hit, a steady tempo and a build that lands inside the length you post. Fifteen to thirty seconds is a common reel length, so a two-minute intro is useless. Best song length for reels covers the trimming, and how to find the BPM of a song tells you how fast your cuts will be.
One more reason to license properly: a track you own the rights to can carry a whole month of videos. You find it once, cut it once, and reuse it.
Where does Easy Reels fit?
Easy Reels edits your own clips to music. You upload a song, any audio file you have the rights to, and it detects the beats, puts your clips on the cuts and renders a vertical MP4. The song is part of a saved template, so one licensed track can drive every reel in a series. A batch makes 10 videos on Pro or 50 on Ultra.
On Ultra you can also search stock music and stock footage from inside the library, with 100 imports a month, so you don't need a separate tab to find a track. Easy Reels doesn't decide your licence for you: you need the rights to the audio you upload, so run the five checks above on anything you bring in.
Plans start with a 14-day free trial with full access, then Pro is $19 a month and Ultra $39. See pricing. If you only post one reel a month inside Instagram, the in-app library on a personal account is simpler and free. Pick a track from one of the sources above, check its licence, and cut your next reel to it.
Common questions
Is royalty free music the same as free music?
No. Royalty free means you don't pay per play or per use once you have the licence. The licence itself can cost money, and it still has terms, such as credit or commercial limits.
Can I use royalty free music on a business account?
Yes, if the licence allows commercial use. Many free tracks do; some don't. Paid libraries are written for commercial use, which is why most brands use one.
Why did my reel get a claim even though the music is royalty free?
The track may be registered with a matching system that can't see your licence. Dispute it with your licence or receipt, and if you use a paid library, clear your account with them so it doesn't repeat.
Can I use Instagram's music in a video I edited elsewhere?
Not reliably. In-app music is licensed for use inside the app. For an edit made elsewhere, use a track you have a licence for and upload the video with the music already in it.