Best Websites for Free Sound Effects

Best Websites For Free Sound Effects

Are you on the hunt for free sound effects? Beware - blindly trusting the first page of Google search results can land you in hot water.

While there are plenty of great free sound effect websites out there, it's important to be cautious of sites that simply exist to generate ad revenue. Some may even feature sites without their knowledge that host stolen content from other sound libraries and sound banks, leading to legal troubles down the line.

Imagine finding the perfect whoosh or footstep sound on a faceless free website, only to receive an email later on from a professional sound library asking for proof of purchase or threatening legal action for copyright infringement. Don't let this happen to you!

We've experienced first-hand the theft and misuse of our sound recordings on other platforms. That's why we're here to help guide you towards the best free sound effect websites out there, without the worry of stolen content.

So before you download any free sound effects, be sure to do your research and only trust reputable sources. Your projects (and your legal standing) will thank you!

How to trust a sound effects website

While there are many great websites out there for sound libraries and sound effects, the best ones are those that have a thorough and diligent process for vetting their content. Look for sites that take the time to double-check the sounds they receive, ensuring that they are original and high-quality.

It's also important to find websites that have a clear way to contact them, such as an email or contact form, so you can get in touch with any questions or concerns. A strong social media presence is also a good indicator of a reputable site, as it shows that they are actively engaged with their audience and willing to answer questions or provide support.

Finally, it's always a good sign when a website includes links or contacts to the independent sound designers, musicians, or field recordists whose work is featured in their library. This helps ensure that the creators are getting the recognition and compensation they deserve for their hard work.
Overall, take the time to research and find the best websites for your needs, and you'll be sure to find the perfect sounds for your next project!

Free Sound Libraries that we know and recommend

Of course! If you're in search of free sound libraries that are authentic and guaranteed to be from a trustworthy source, look no further than our very own Free Sound Effects and Sound Library category page.

With over 140 unique sound libraries that have been recorded solely by us, you can rest assured that you're getting high-quality, original sounds that tell a story. No need to worry about curation or stolen content - we've got you covered! So go ahead, explore our sound libraries and let your imagination run wild with the endless possibilities of sound..

Zapsplat

We highly recommend Zapsplat for your sound effect needs. We can personally vouch for the quality of their sound recordings because we know the founder, Allen McKinney, and have seen firsthand the hard work and dedication he puts into his website. When we started Free To Use Sounds in 2017, Allen was the first person we connected with, and he was always available to offer advice and support. By creating an account on Zapsplat, you can trust that the sound recordings are legitimate and of the highest quality.

99 Sounds

And then there's 99 Sounds, founded by the one and only Tomislav, the mastermind behind Bed Room Producer Blog. While you may not find a ton of sounds on his site due to his busy schedule, the ones that are uploaded are bulletproof and completely legit. Plus, you can trust the people behind the sound recordings. And hey, we even have some of our sounds on there too! Happy hunting!

Conclusion

We understand that there are many other sound libraries that offer free sound effects, but we can only recommend and vouch for the people we personally know, trust, and care about sounds. We hope you enjoy our ad-free read and that you find the sounds you're looking for. If you have any sound requests, please feel free to email us or our friends at Zapsplat or 99Sounds, and we will do our best to make it happen. We love the personal touch of a page with a face and a story behind it.