Artlist's free trial has no time limit and doesn't need payment details: you sign up with Start Free Now and get a set number of AI generations plus unlimited watermarked previews of music and footage. The catch is the license. Artlist says anything downloaded on a free trial account is for preview only and isn't licensed for use in any public or published project.
So Artlist's trial is a way to explore the catalogue and test its AI tools, not a way to soundtrack a video you're about to post. Artlist is also clear that it doesn't run a trial that converts into a paid plan after a set period, which makes it one of the lowest-risk trials around.
What the free trial includes
| Feature | Free trial allowance |
|---|---|
| Music and footage catalogue | Explore, plus unlimited watermarked preview downloads |
| AI images | 2 generations |
| AI video | 1 generation |
| AI music tracks | 2 generations |
| Artboards | Build and organise them |
| Artlist Studio | 2000 credits |
| Sound effects, templates and plugins | Not available to preview |
Artlist names the models on its help page, too: AI images use Nano Banana 2 Lite, and the AI video uses Kling 1.6 or Seedance 2.0 Mini.
No clock and no automatic charge
Artlist's help centre says it does not offer a time-limited free trial subscription. Instead, you get a limited number of free generations to explore the service, and the free access isn't tied to a time period, only to how many generations you have left. It also says it doesn't operate a free trial model that automatically converts into a paid subscription after a defined period. You'll never be charged unless you choose a paid plan.
The license rule that matters
This is the part to read twice if you make content for a business. Artlist says assets downloaded using a free trial account are for preview purposes only and are not licensed for any public or published project. Watermarked music or footage is fine for showing a client a rough cut or testing a mood. It isn't fine in a finished Reel, ad or YouTube video.
How to start the Artlist free trial
- Go to Artlist's homepage and select Start Free Now at the top right.
- Create an account. Artlist says no payment details are needed.
- Explore the catalogue and download watermarked previews to test in your edit.
- Use your AI generations on the tasks you'd pay for, such as a music bed or an image.
- If you need licensed assets, choose a paid plan.
What you get on a paid plan
Artlist's pricing page groups its plans into stock plans, AI plans and Max, which it describes as including everything Artlist offers, from stock assets to AI tools. AI plans run on monthly credits that renew every month and can be used across the AI tools in your plan. Max Business is aimed at businesses with 50+ employees and agencies of any size that need a commercial license. Check the live pricing page for prices in your currency.
A useful detail for subscribers
Artlist says paid subscribers can still download watermarked previews of asset types outside their plan. For example, music subscribers can preview footage, and footage subscribers can preview music. So a small paid plan still lets you test the rest of the library before upgrading.
Compared with other libraries
Some music libraries let you publish content during a trial and keep it cleared. Artlist's free trial doesn't license anything you download, so if you need cleared music today, compare a few services first. My roundup of Artlist alternatives covers the main options, and my guide to free AI background music for videos is worth a look if you only need the odd track.
How Artlist's AI plans use credits
| Plan type | What Artlist says it includes |
|---|---|
| AI Starter | From 7,500 credits a month, AI voiceover only |
| AI plans from 16,500 credits | AI voiceover, video, image and music, plus Artlist Studio |
| AI Creator, AI Professional, AI Pro Plus | All AI tools plus Artlist Studio, with 80,000 to 4,000,000 credits a month |
| Max | Stock assets and AI tools, with 7,500 to 120,000 credits a month |
Artlist says credits renew every month and can be used across the AI tools in your plan, and that AI Professional and AI Pro Plus include unlimited generations on select leading models. For business buyers, it also notes that Artlist is SOC 2 Type II certified.
Free trial versus a paid plan at a glance
| Free trial | Paid plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Time limit | None | Monthly or annual subscription |
| Payment details | Not required | Required |
| Downloads | Watermarked previews only | Licensed assets in your plan |
| Use in published work | Not licensed | Artlist's paid plans list a license that covers commercial use |
My advice
Sign up for the free trial whenever you like, because there's no card and no clock. Use it to test whether the catalogue suits your brand and whether the AI tools save you time, and use watermarked previews only in drafts. The day you need music or footage in something you'll publish, move to a paid plan, because the free downloads aren't licensed for it.
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Frequently asked questions
How long is the Artlist free trial?
It has no time limit. Artlist says free access isn't subject to a specific time period but is limited by the number of available generations.
Does the Artlist free trial need a credit card?
No. Artlist says the free trial doesn't require payment details.
Can I use Artlist trial downloads in my videos?
Not in published work. Artlist says assets downloaded on a free trial account are for preview purposes only and aren't licensed for any public or published project.
Will Artlist charge me when the trial ends?
No. Artlist says it doesn't run a free trial that automatically converts into a paid subscription, and you're never charged unless you choose a paid plan.
What AI features are in the Artlist free trial?
Artlist lists 2 AI images, 1 AI video, 2 AI music tracks and 2000 credits for Artlist Studio.
How do I start the Artlist free trial?
Select Start Free Now at the top right of Artlist's homepage and create an account. Artlist says the free trial doesn't require payment details and can be accessed at any time.
Can I preview sound effects on the Artlist free trial?
No. Artlist says it isn't possible to preview SFX, templates or plugins with a free trial account, though you can download unlimited watermarked previews of music and footage.
