Epidemic Sound's free trial lets first-time users download unlimited music and sound effects and publish content on their connected channels. Anything you publish while the trial is active stays cleared from copyright claims forever, even after you cancel. But tracks you downloaded during the trial can't be used in content published after it ends, and the trial turns into a paid subscription unless you cancel.
That split is the single most important thing to understand before you start. The trial isn't a way to stockpile music for later. It covers what you publish during the trial, on channels you've connected, and nothing after.
What the trial allows and what it doesn't
| Allowed during the trial | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Unlimited downloads from the music catalogue | Using trial downloads in content published after the trial ends |
| Publishing unlimited content on your registered channels | Publishing new content with the music once the trial is over, without a plan |
| Monetising content on connected channels | Relying on cleared status for channels you didn't connect |
| Sub-licensing for third-party content, for freelancers and small businesses with one editor | Prorated refunds once a paid plan has been charged |
Epidemic Sound says its catalogue has more than 55,000 tracks and 250,000 sound effects, and the trial is available on both the Creator and Pro plans.
When the trial starts
This catches people out. Epidemic Sound's help centre says the trial begins when you add a payment method, start your subscription and connect a channel to your account. So a card is involved, and the clock starts once those steps are done, not when you first create your account.
How to set it up so you're covered
- Create a free Epidemic Sound account.
- Choose the plan you want to try, Creator or Pro, and add a payment method.
- Connect your channels, such as YouTube or Instagram, so content you publish is cleared.
- If you're a freelancer or small business making videos for clients, add each client link under Safelist in your account.
- Download and publish during the trial, and note the end date.
Freelancers and small businesses
The sub-licensing right is the part business owners should know about. Epidemic Sound says that during the trial, freelancers and small businesses with one editor get full sub-licensing rights, so you can use the music in third-party content and clear it by adding the links to your account. That makes the trial useful for testing client work, as long as the client content goes live during the trial.
Cancelling the trial
Epidemic Sound says that if you cancel your trial before it ends, you won't be charged. If you don't, it automatically renews into a paid monthly or annual subscription. Its help centre adds that if you forget, you can still publish content until the end of the trial period, but the subscription renews.
| What you do | What Epidemic Sound says happens |
|---|---|
| Cancel before the trial ends | No charge; content published during the trial stays cleared forever |
| Don't cancel | Renews into a paid monthly or annual subscription |
| Cancel a paid plan later | Access until the plan's end date; no prorated refunds |
Plans after the trial
Epidemic Sound says its Creator and Pro plans are available monthly with no long-term contracts, and yearly plans are discounted compared with monthly. Using its music in ad campaigns needs a Pro or Enterprise plan. Enterprise agreements have a minimum term of 12 months.
Other options
If you only need a few tracks now and then, a subscription may be more than you need. My guide to free background music for YouTube and Instagram covers no-cost sources, and my roundup of Epidemic Sound alternatives compares other subscription libraries.
Before the trial ends: a checklist
- Publish everything you made with trial music, on channels that are connected.
- Check each client video link is in your Safelist if you're a freelancer.
- Delete or set aside downloaded tracks you didn't use, because they aren't cleared for anything published later.
- Decide on Creator or Pro. If you'll run ads with the music, Epidemic Sound says you need Pro or Enterprise.
- Cancel before the end date if you're not continuing.
If you work for a public body, Epidemic Sound's pricing FAQ has a separate question for public entities such as government bodies, municipalities, universities and non-profits, so read that before starting a standard trial.
What cleared means in practice
Epidemic Sound says that as long as your channels are connected to your subscription, you can publish and monetise content without worrying about the legal side. If you cancel a trial or subscription, you can still monetise videos and podcasts published during that period, but you may not produce or publish new content with the music afterwards. Connecting your channels before you publish is what makes the protection work, so do it first.
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My advice
Only start the trial when you have content ready to publish, because the protection covers what goes live during the trial, not what you download. Connect every channel first, safelist any client links, and publish everything you've planned before the end date. If you won't publish anything after that, cancel before the trial ends and your published videos stay cleared for good.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Epidemic Sound trial free?
Yes, if you cancel before it ends. Epidemic Sound says you won't be charged if you cancel your trial before it ends; otherwise it turns into a paid subscription.
Can I keep using music I downloaded in the trial?
Not in new content. Epidemic Sound says tracks downloaded during the trial can only be used during the trial period and aren't cleared once it ends.
Do videos published during the trial stay cleared?
Yes. Epidemic Sound says content published while your trial was active remains cleared from copyright claims forever.
When does the Epidemic Sound trial start?
Epidemic Sound says the trial begins when you add a payment method, start your subscription and connect a channel to your account.
Can I use the trial for client videos?
Epidemic Sound says freelancers and small businesses with one editor get full sub-licensing rights during the trial, clearing third-party content by adding its links to your account.
Does Epidemic Sound offer prorated refunds?
No. Epidemic Sound says it doesn't offer prorated refunds for monthly or yearly plans, so cancel before the trial converts if you don't plan to continue.
