Growing an impressive music collection doesn’t have to empty your wallet. Musicians worldwide often share their tracks at no cost! These artists want listeners to enjoy their work legally, so they frequently give away a song or two (and occasionally a full record).
Although some people opt for illegal downloads, there’s no need to. Why go the unlawful route when there are so many completely legal choices? Tens of thousands of free tracks are available, just waiting for you to press play.
Below is a roundup of the best spots to discover free music online. Whether you prefer well-known acts or hidden gems, your next favorite tune is just a click away.
1.iTunes
iTunes is easily the most recognized music marketplace, but many users don’t realize it also hosts a broad assortment of free songs.
In the “Free on iTunes” area, iTunes highlights artists and distributes some of their tracks at no charge. Visit that section to see the full collection of complimentary songs, along with TV episodes and more.
If you stop by Starbucks, keep an eye out for their iTunes Pick of the Week cards. (They’re commonly located near the counter or condiment station.) You can snag exclusive freebies like songs, apps and books.
2.Noisetrade
Noisetrade bills itself as “a music platform built on generosity.” It’s generous indeed — with thousands of albums available entirely free.
Just provide your email address and postal code to download any music you want. You can tip the artist if you’d like, but it’s completely optional.
Bonus: They also offer a large selection of free ebooks.
3.Bandcamp
Bandcamp has grown into one of the top venues for artists to share their creations. When an artist enables the “name your price” feature, you can enter zero dollars and download some free tracks!
With thousands of both rising and established musicians, Bandcamp has more than enough music to fill your device. (Tip: Search tags for “free music.”)
4./r/Downloadcodes
Reddit has become a hotspot for more than job leads.
The /r/DownloadCodes subreddit is packed with free download codes for various music. When Redditors buy vinyl that includes a digital download code, they often post those codes on this community for others to claim.
If you spot something you like, act quickly! Many posted codes are valid for only one download, while others permit up to ten.
Tip: Be sure to sign in and leave a thank-you comment if you redeem a code.
5.SoundCloud
SoundCloud hosts a global community of creators who upload music through a simple interface. You can stream releases, interact with artists, and also grab free downloads from thousands of tracks.
If the uploader enables downloads, a Download button appears beneath the player. Search tags for free musicorbrowse this SoundCloud group for free downloads. You might just discover a new favorite artist.
6. Amazon
Music is just one of the freebies you can score from the ecommerce giant. They maintain a sizable collection of free singles and albums from both popular and emerging musicians. Check out thefree album listingsand thefree MP3 singles listings. Both pages receive frequent updates with new tracks.
If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, you can access even more complimentary music (and other useful perks).
7.PureVolume
If your favorite bands peaked a decade ago, you may find them on PureVolume. Though its popularity has waned, it was a major hub in the mid-2000s. Numerous bands, including some well-known names, have posted free downloads.
To streamline searching, PureVolume provides a chart of the site’s top downloads, all available for free! While a handful of those downloads may no longer be accessible, most remain valid.
Your Turn: Where do you go to legally download free music?
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Also check out apple music for more listening options and how to get free stuff to discover other freebies online.
