Epidemic Sound vs. Artlist

Choosing the right music licensing platform can make or break your content. Epidemic Sound and Artlist are two popular options, each with its own strengths. This in-depth comparison will help you decide which service best fits your needs.

Disclaimer: The editorial team of cchound.com uses both services daily.

Library Size and Content

Epidemic Sound boasts over 35,000 songs and 60,000 sound effects. Their catalog covers a wide range of genres and moods, catering to various content creation needs.

Artlist offers a slightly smaller but still impressive library of over 30,000 royalty-free songs. They also provide 300,000 total assets, including sound effects and stock footage.

Both platforms partner with professional musicians and producers, ensuring high-quality tracks. Users can download music in MP3 and WAV formats from either service.

Pricing Plans

Epidemic Sound keeps it simple with two main plans:

1. Personal Plan: $10/month (billed annually) or $15/month (billed monthly)
2. Commercial Plan: $39/month (billed annually) or $49/month (billed monthly)

Artlist offers more options:

1. Music & SFX Social: $9.99/month (billed annually) or $14.99/month (billed monthly)
2. Music & SFX Pro: $16.60/month (billed annually)
3. Music & SFX Teams: Starting at $28.20/month for 2 members (billed annually)
4. Footage & Templates: $29.99/month (billed annually)
5. Artlist Max: $39.99/month (billed annually)

Artlist's entry-level plan is slightly cheaper than Epidemic Sound's when billed annually. However, Epidemic Sound's Personal plan allows for monetization and sponsorships on personal channels, while Artlist's Personal plan is more limited.

For commercial use, Artlist's Pro plan is significantly cheaper than Epidemic Sound's Commercial plan. Artlist also offers team plans and options that include stock footage and templates, which Epidemic Sound doesn't provide.

Licensing Terms

Licensing is a crucial factor when choosing a music platform. Let's break down the key differences:

Epidemic Sound:

• Offers specific sync licenses
• Sometimes provides public performance licenses
• Commercial plan covers 3 client accounts
• Allows continued use of tracks in existing projects after cancellation
• Offers single track licenses for one-off uses
• Requires Enterprise plan for broadcast use

Artlist:

• Provides a universal license covering all usage
• Commercial license includes broadcast TV and unlimited client work
• Content created during active subscription remains covered forever
• No single track licensing option
• Specifies coverage for major platforms (YouTube, TikTok, etc.)

Artlist's licensing terms are more generous, especially for commercial users. The perpetual license for created content is a significant advantage. However, Epidemic Sound's single track option might appeal to some users.

User Experience and Interface

Both Epidemic Sound and Artlist offer user-friendly platforms with intuitive interfaces. Here's how they organize their content:

Epidemic Sound uses categories like:

• Featured
• Genres
• Moods
• Themes

Artlist organizes tracks by:

• Mood
• Genre
• Instrument

Both platforms allow users to search and filter tracks easily. They also provide curated playlists to help users find the right music quickly.

Epidemic Sound's "Epidemic Spaces" feature for ambient sounds adds an extra layer of creativity for content creators.

Artlist's inclusion of stock footage and video templates in higher-tier plans might streamline the workflow for video creators who need both music and visuals.

Audio Quality

Both Epidemic Sound and Artlist prioritize audio quality. They work with professional musicians and producers to ensure their libraries contain only high-quality tracks.

Users can download tracks in both MP3 and WAV formats from either platform. This allows for flexibility in file size and audio quality depending on the project's needs.

Neither platform has a clear advantage in terms of audio quality. The choice often comes down to personal preference and the specific tracks available.

Customer Support

Effective customer support can greatly enhance the user experience. Here's how Epidemic Sound and Artlist compare:

Epidemic Sound:

• Comprehensive Help Center with searchable articles and FAQs
• Direct contact with support team via contact form
• Fast response times (one reviewer received a reply in one minute)
• Clear and polite answers

Artlist:

• Help Center with FAQs and troubleshooting guides
• Real-time chat support for instant problem-solving
• Dedicated feedback section
• Some users reported challenges with customer support

While both platforms offer support options, Epidemic Sound stands out for its extremely fast response time and helpful answers. Artlist's real-time chat feature could be beneficial, but user experiences seem mixed.

Additional Features

Both platforms offer features beyond basic music licensing:

Epidemic Sound:

• Epidemic Spaces for ambient sounds
• Music stems for advanced editing

Artlist:

• Stock footage
• Video templates
• Plugins and editing software
• AI Voiceover tool

Artlist clearly offers a wider range of additional features, positioning itself as a more comprehensive creative resource. This could be a deciding factor for content creators who need more than just music.

Platform Compatibility

Both Epidemic Sound and Artlist work well with major content creation platforms. Their music can be used on:

• YouTube
• Twitch
• TikTok
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Podcasts
• And more

Artlist specifies platform coverage more clearly in its licensing terms. However, both services are designed to work across a wide range of content creation scenarios.

Music Discovery and Search

Finding the right track quickly is crucial. Both platforms offer various ways to discover music:

Epidemic Sound:

• Advanced search filters
• Mood-based browsing
• Similar track suggestions
• Curated playlists

Artlist:

• Genre and mood filters
• Instrument-based search
• Curated collections
• "Find Similar" feature

Both platforms make it easy to find music that fits your project. The best choice might depend on which system feels more intuitive to you.

Update Frequency

Regular updates keep content fresh and give creators more options. Both Epidemic Sound and Artlist add new tracks regularly:

Epidemic Sound adds hundreds of tracks weekly.

Artlist doesn't specify their exact update schedule but mentions regular additions to their library.

For creators who frequently need new music, Epidemic Sound's more transparent update schedule might be appealing.

Mobile Apps

In today's mobile-first world, having a good app can be crucial. Here's how Epidemic Sound and Artlist compare:

Epidemic Sound offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android. Users can:

• Browse the full library
• Create playlists
• Download tracks

Artlist also has mobile apps for iOS and Android with similar features.

Both apps allow users to work on the go, but neither offers full functionality compared to their desktop versions. The choice here might come down to personal preference in app design and usability.

Collaboration Features

For teams working on content together, collaboration features can be invaluable:

Epidemic Sound's Commercial plan allows for 3 user accounts.

Artlist offers specific team plans, starting at 2 members and scaling up.

Artlist seems to have a slight edge for larger teams or organizations that need multiple user accounts.

Customization and Editing

The ability to customize tracks can help creators achieve the perfect sound:

Epidemic Sound offers:

• Stems for many tracks, allowing for advanced editing
• Length variations of tracks

Artlist provides:

• Some customization options, but less extensive than Epidemic Sound

For creators who need to fine-tune their music, Epidemic Sound's stem feature could be a significant advantage.

Rights Management

Both platforms aim to simplify rights management for creators:

Epidemic Sound:

• Handles all rights clearance
• Offers a clear claiming process for any content ID issues

Artlist:

• Universal license simplifies rights management
• Provides a "Clearlist" feature to protect videos from copyright claims

Both services strive to make rights management hassle-free, but Artlist's universal license might be simpler for some users to understand and apply.

Educational Resources

Learning to use music effectively can improve content quality. Here's what each platform offers:

Epidemic Sound:

• Blog with tips and tutorials
• YouTube channel with educational content

Artlist:

• Blog covering various content creation topics
• Video tutorials on their YouTube channel

Both platforms provide valuable resources for content creators. The choice might depend on which style of educational content you prefer.

Integration with Editing Software

Seamless integration with editing software can speed up workflows:

Epidemic Sound offers plugins for:

• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Final Cut Pro X

Artlist provides:

• Integration with major editing software
• Their own plugins and editing tools

Artlist seems to offer more extensive integration options, which could be a deciding factor for some creators.

Payment Options

Flexible payment options can make subscribing easier:

Epidemic Sound accepts:

• Credit/debit cards
• PayPal

Artlist accepts:

• Credit/debit cards
• PayPal
• Some region-specific payment methods

Both platforms offer standard payment options. Artlist might have an edge in some regions with its additional payment methods.

Cancellation Policy

Understanding the cancellation policy is crucial before committing to a subscription:

Epidemic Sound:

• Easy cancellation through account settings
• Allows continued use of downloaded tracks in existing projects after cancellation

Artlist:

• Cancellation available through account settings
• Perpetual license means all content used during subscription remains cleared even after cancellation

Artlist's perpetual license gives it a clear advantage in terms of cancellation policy, allowing users more flexibility and peace of mind.

Free Trials

Trying before buying can help ensure you choose the right platform:

Epidemic Sound offers a 30-day free trial for new users.

Artlist provides a 7-day free trial.

Epidemic Sound's longer trial period gives users more time to explore the platform and make an informed decision.

Brand Recognition

While not directly impacting functionality, brand recognition can influence choice:

Epidemic Sound:

• Founded in 2009 in Sweden
• Well-established in the industry
• Used by major brands and content creators

Artlist:

• Founded in 2016 in Israel
• Quickly gaining popularity
• Known for its user-friendly approach

Epidemic Sound has been around longer and might be seen as more established, but Artlist has made significant strides in a shorter time.

Customer Base

Understanding who uses each platform can help you decide if it's right for you:

Epidemic Sound is popular among:

• YouTubers
• Podcasters
• Filmmakers
• Corporate video producers

Artlist is favored by:

• Independent filmmakers
• YouTube creators
• Advertising agencies
• Small to medium businesses

Both platforms cater to a wide range of content creators, but their slight differences in focus might make one more suitable for your specific needs.

Exclusivity of Music

The exclusivity of tracks can affect how unique your content sounds:

Epidemic Sound:

• Exclusive rights to all tracks
• Music won't be found on other platforms

Artlist:

• Mix of exclusive and non-exclusive tracks
• Some music might be available elsewhere

If having completely unique music is crucial, Epidemic Sound's fully exclusive library might be preferable.

Localization

For global users, localization can enhance the user experience:

Epidemic Sound offers its platform in multiple languages.

Artlist also provides multi-language support.

Both platforms cater to international users, but check if your preferred language is supported.

Reporting and Analytics

For businesses and serious content creators, usage reporting can be valuable:

Epidemic Sound provides basic usage statistics.

Artlist offers more detailed analytics on music usage.

If tracking your music use is important, Artlist's more comprehensive analytics might be beneficial.

Community and Social Features

Being part of a community can enhance the creative process:

Epidemic Sound:

• Active social media presence
• User showcases on their blog

Artlist:

• Community features within the platform
• Social media engagement and user spotlights

Artlist seems to offer more community-oriented features, which might appeal to creators looking for inspiration and networking opportunities.

Environmental and Social Responsibility

For socially conscious creators, a company's values can be important:

Epidemic Sound has initiatives supporting diversity in music.

Artlist emphasizes fair pay for artists and environmental consciousness.

Both companies show commitment to social responsibility, but in slightly different ways.

Future Development

Considering a platform's future plans can help you choose a long-term solution:

Epidemic Sound regularly updates its features and expands its library.

Artlist is actively developing new tools and expanding its offerings beyond music.

While both companies are innovating, Artlist seems more focused on becoming a comprehensive creative resource.

Making Your Choice

Choosing between Epidemic Sound and Artlist depends on your specific needs:

Choose Epidemic Sound if:

• You need a larger music library
• Stems and advanced editing are crucial
• You prefer a more established brand
• A longer free trial is important

Choose Artlist if:

• You want a more comprehensive creative suite (music, footage, templates)
• Budget is a primary concern for commercial use
• Perpetual licensing is important
• You need team collaboration features

Both Epidemic Sound and Artlist offer high-quality music licensing solutions. Epidemic Sound might edge out for those focused purely on music, while Artlist could be better for creators needing a wider range of assets.

Consider starting with the free trials of both platforms to see which interface and library best suit your workflow. Remember, the right choice is the one that helps you create better content more efficiently.

Conclusion

Epidemic Sound and Artlist are both excellent choices for content creators needing high-quality, licensed music. They offer similar core services but differ in areas like pricing, additional features, and licensing terms.

Epidemic Sound stands out with its larger music library, stem offerings, and longer-standing reputation in the industry. It might be the better choice for creators who prioritize music quality and editing flexibility.

Artlist shines with its more affordable commercial plans, broader asset offerings (including video), and user-friendly universal license. It could be ideal for creators looking for a one-stop shop for various content creation needs.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific requirements, budget, and creative process. By understanding the strengths of each platform, you can make an informed decision that will enhance your content creation workflow.

Remember, the goal is to find a tool that not only provides great music but also integrates seamlessly into your creative process. Whether you choose Epidemic Sound or Artlist, you'll be equipped with a powerful resource to elevate your content.