Artlist vs Freesound:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Freesound had more branded searches than Artlist among music and sound libraries worldwide. Freesound had about 201,000 branded searches, while Artlist had 14,800. Freesound made up 50% of all music and sound library searches we track, and Artlist accounted for 3.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about music and sound libraries, Artlist appeared in four of the five answers and Freesound in three. Artlist was mentioned before Freesound in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Freesound, about 14 searches for every 1 for Artlist
Who does AI mention more?
Artlist, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Freesound in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Artlist, named ahead of Freesound in every answer
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Top music and sound libraries in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Artlist was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Freesound was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Artlist was listed before Freesound in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Epidemic Sound1st- Artlist2nd
Musicbed3rd
Soundstripe4th- Freesound5th
Motion Array–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Artlist4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Epidemic Sound4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Freesound3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Musicbed2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Soundstripe2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Motion Array0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about music and sound libraries
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which music and sound library should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best music and sound libraries?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best music and sound library for a video project?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“royalty free music library”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sound effects library”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Artlist or Freesound more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Artlist and Freesound by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six music and sound libraries we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Freesound, Artlist. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Freesound | Motion Array | Musicbed | Artlist | Epidemic Sound | Soundstripe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 44.7% | 44.7% | 9% | 0.98% | 0.09% | 0.53% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.7% | 40.6% | 8.2% | 1.1% | 0.12% | 0.26% |
| Dec 2025 | 49.7% | 40.6% | 8.2% | 1.1% | 0.12% | 0.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 43.7% | 43.7% | 10.8% | 1.4% | 0.13% | 0.19% |
| Feb 2026 | 48.3% | 39.6% | 9.7% | 1.9% | 0.14% | 0.31% |
| Mar 2026 | 53.2% | 35.5% | 8.7% | 1.7% | 0.13% | 0.64% |
| Apr 2026 | 56.6% | 31% | 9.3% | 2.8% | 0.11% | 0.14% |
| May 2026 | 51.6% | 34.6% | 10.4% | 3.1% | 0.12% | 0.15% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.6% | 34.6% | 10.4% | 3.1% | 0.1% | 0.12% |
| Jul 2026 | 50% | 33.6% | 12.3% | 3.7% | 0.15% | 0.18% |
| Aug 2026 | 50% | 33.6% | 12.3% | 3.7% | 0.18% | 0.15% |
| Sep 2026 | 50% | 33.6% | 12.3% | 3.7% | 0.18% | 0.15% |
How has the Artlist and Freesound comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Freesound was ahead of Artlist in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Artlist’s share of searches among music and sound libraries worldwide moved from 0.98% to 3.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5.4K to 14.8K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Freesound’s share of searches among music and sound libraries worldwide moved from 44.7% to 50%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 246K to 201K.
How did search popularity change for music and sound libraries worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Artlist’s and Freesound’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among music and sound libraries
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