Soundstripe vs. Artlist: Real Music Made by Real Artists

If you’re comparing music licensing platforms, you’ve likely come across Artlist. But before you make a decision, take a closer look at a company built by musicians, for creators.

Here’s how Soundstripe compares to Artlist—and why more content creators, filmmakers, agencies, and brands are choosing a platform deeply rooted in the music industry, not algorithms.

Built by musicians, backed by the industry

Soundstripe was born in Nashville, Tennessee—America’s Music City—by three professional musicians who saw a gap between content creators and authentic, high-quality music. From day one, Soundstripe has stood for creative integrity, not shortcuts. That means no AI-generated music pretending to be art. Just real music, made by real artists. AI is a tool to support the creator—not a replacement for the artist.

With full-time composers crafting exclusive tracks in-house and partnerships with Grammy-winning and Billboard-charting artists, Soundstripe delivers a music experience that resonates with both emotional authenticity and professional polish.

What sets Soundstripe apart

• In-house, human-made music: Full-time staff composers create new music weekly
• Award-winning talent: Exclusive content from Grammy and Billboard-recognized musicians
• Tracks that adapt: Stems, alts, and cutdowns for every original song, giving you total creative control: Access stems, sound effects, and video, alongside music—all in one platform
• Human-centered AI tools: Smart search and editing tools that enhance creativity, not replace it

Soundstripe Market: More music, same standards

At Soundstripe, music starts with musicians. Our exclusive library is crafted by professional, in-house composers who understand what makes a soundtrack truly resonate. And with Soundstripe Market, we expand your access even further—offering premium tracks from top labels and publishers, pre-cleared with straightforward, transparent licensing and pricing.

Unlike platforms flooded with AI-generated content, Soundstripe is rooted in artistry. Being founded by musicians gives us a deep connection to the industry—and the partnerships to match. That means you get access to authentic, artist-first music created by real people, not algorithms.

Whether you need an original score from our in-house team or something more recognizable from Market, everything lives in one seamless hub. No jumping between platforms. No legal guesswork. Just world-class music, made by real musicians, ready to elevate your work.

Trusted by creators and global brands

Soundstripe music plays everywhere—from social videos to Super Bowl ads. Our work has been featured by Netflix, HBO, Microsoft, and Chipotle. And yes, that beautiful string cover of Nick Jonas’ “Jealous” in Bridgerton? That was a custom track by Soundstripe artist Matt Wigton.

With 58,000+ music tracks, stems for every original song, 95,000+ sound effects, and 100,000+ stock video clips, Soundstripe gives you more than a library—it gives you a production powerhouse.

Licensing made for modern creators

Soundstripe subscriptions make finding and licensing music for all types of projects a breeze. 

Subscriptions include:

• Unlimited downloads from the Soundstripe SFX and music library on all plans
• Coverage for personal, client, and commercial use, depending on subscription tier 
• Auto-clearance for YouTube claims (Pro & Enterprise plans)

And if a subscription doesn’t fit the bill, single-use licenses are available for personal use, broadcast, and everything in between.

You’ll have additional peace of mind knowing that Soundstripe offers indemnification with all single-use licenses and enterprise subscription plans, meaning your business or client, no matter the size, will be backed by Soundstripe if any outside claims are made against the use of a song. 

Tools built into your workflow

What sets Soundstripe apart is how easily creators can find and use the perfect track. With Supe, the industry’s first AI-powered search assistant, you’ll uncover relevant songs faster, guided by mood, style, and even visuals. Supe interacts with the user conversationally, asking questions and providing feedback, until that perfect song is found.

Need a custom sound? AI Song Editing (AISE) lets users tailor any track’s structure, intensity, or duration directly in the app. At every turn, Soundstripe is designed to make music licensing intuitive, creative, and completely in sync with the way modern content gets made.

All built to save time, not compromise creativity.

Artlist: Music is a feature, not the focus

Artlist offers a broad selection of royalty-free music, video, and sound effects with straightforward licensing, but there are a few differences to consider:

• Music is part of the package but not their priority: In recent years, Artlist has doubled down on video offerings, such as AI-powered image & voiceover generation and LUTs.
• No pay-per-track licensing: Artlist offers various subscriptions to meet creators’ needs, but you don’t have the option to license single songs.
• No commercial indemnification for small teams: Legal coverage is limited compared to Soundstripe’s enterprise protection.

Why choose Soundstripe?

Soundstripe is a music licensing platform built for creators and brands who care about quality, intention, and artistry.

You get:

• Premium, artist-made music you won’t find anywhere else
• Smart, simple licensing that protects your work
• Powerful tools to fit into your editing flow
• A partner that evolves with your creative career

Whether you’re building your YouTube presence or producing for broadcast, Soundstripe is the platform where real music meets real creative freedom.

More to explore

• Browse the Soundstripe Library
• Explore Soundstripe Market
• Learn more about our plans & pricing

*All information is up-to-date at the time of publication