A newly launched audio technology company is entering a competitive royalty-free market with an ambitious message: more content, fewer restrictions, and lower prices.
Sound Stock, which debuted in late 2025, says it has built what it calls the world’s largest AI-cultivated royalty-free audio library. The platform reports more than 10 million fully original assets at launch, spanning four main categories: sound effects, samples, loops and full music tracks. Unlike many competitors, the company says all content is produced and curated in-house, supported by proprietary artificial intelligence systems.
The launch recently drew attention in a Digital Music News feature titled “Sound Stock Launches the World’s Largest AI-Cultivated Royalty-Free Audio Library,” which described the platform’s approach as blending large-scale AI organization with internal creative oversight.
Pricing begins at $4.99 per month, or $3.99 per month with an annual plan. The subscription includes unlimited downloads, no credit systems and no tiered restrictions. Users can also preview the entire catalog before subscribing — a feature not always available in the subscription audio marketplace.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Josh Linsk explained the philosophy behind the platform in the Digital Music News interview.
“Creators deserve abundance, not gatekeeping,” Linsk said. “That’s why we built the world’s largest fully original sound library — so anyone can access millions of royalty-free, ready-to-use assets instantly, without ever worrying about hitting download limits.”
As video production, podcasting, livestreaming and social media content creation continue to expand, the need for affordable, royalty-free audio has grown. But the market is crowded, with established global players serving creators, agencies and enterprise clients.
Sound Stock vs. Epidemic Sound
One of the most recognizable names in the royalty-free music space is Epidemic Sound, a Stockholm-based company that built its brand on curated production music and direct relationships with composers and artists.
Epidemic Sound typically focuses on high-quality production music tracks and operates under subscription tiers tailored to different usage types, such as personal creators versus commercial clients. The company also emphasizes its network of artists and its role in supporting independent musicians.
Sound Stock’s approach differs structurally. Rather than functioning as a marketplace or artist platform, Sound Stock says it maintains a fully in-house catalog. According to the company, no external contributor pools are used, and assets are exclusive to the platform.
“Most platforms rely on the same contributors, recycling the same content across multiple sites,” Linsk said in the Digital Music News article. “We created an entirely in-house catalog, so every sound on Sound Stock is unique and original.”
Another key difference is breadth. While Epidemic Sound primarily centers on music tracks, Sound Stock bundles four asset categories — music tracks, sound effects, loops and samples — under a single low-cost subscription. For creators who need both production music and granular sound design elements, the bundled structure may appeal as a consolidated solution.
Pricing also represents a contrast. Sound Stock’s entry-level plan begins under $5 per month with unlimited downloads. Epidemic Sound’s plans generally start at a higher monthly rate and vary depending on commercial usage rights and distribution scale.
Industry observers note that sustainability at lower price points depends heavily on scale and operational efficiency. Sound Stock’s use of AI to organize and scale its catalog may help support its subscription model, though long-term market dynamics remain to be seen.
Sound Stock vs. Splice
Another major player in the audio ecosystem is Splice, a platform known primarily for music production tools, loops and samples aimed at producers and beatmakers. Splice operates under a credit-based system, where subscribers receive a set number of credits each month to download sounds from its marketplace.
Splice’s strength lies in its large community of producers and its integration into digital audio workstation workflows. It has become a staple resource for electronic music producers and independent artists.
Sound Stock’s model differs in both structure and scope. Instead of offering credits that roll over monthly, Sound Stock provides unlimited downloads across all categories. The platform also extends beyond loops and samples to include full music tracks and a large sound effects library.
For creators working across multiple formats — such as video producers who need background music and interface sounds, or podcasters who require stingers and ambient effects — Sound Stock’s all-in-one subscription could reduce the need to manage separate services.
The company also highlights its “Variations” feature, which allows users to instantly preview alternate versions of a sound. In gaming, film editing and advertising, subtle tonal shifts can be critical. By enabling rapid comparison within a single asset family, Sound Stock aims to streamline workflows.
A changing landscape
The royalty-free audio industry continues to evolve alongside advances in artificial intelligence and content creation technology. AI tools are increasingly used not only to generate content, but also to categorize, personalize and scale digital libraries.
Sound Stock’s launch reflects that broader shift. By combining AI systems with in-house production and an abundance-focused subscription model, the company is positioning itself as a challenger brand in a field dominated by established players.
Whether Sound Stock can carve out significant market share remains uncertain. Competition is intense, brand loyalty is strong among professional creators, and licensing clarity is critical for enterprise clients.
Still, the company’s entry underscores a growing trend: creators are seeking simpler pricing, broader access and fewer restrictions as they navigate an increasingly digital and fast-moving media landscape.
With unlimited downloads, a fully original catalog and cross-category access under one subscription, Sound Stock is betting that flexibility and scale will resonate with the next wave of creators.
