Head-to-head comparison
99Sounds vs Storyblocks Audio
Two of the music & sfx tools podcasters reach for. Here's how they differ on pricing, features, audience, and the trade-offs that actually matter day-to-day.
Free sound effect packs curated by audio professionals
Best for: Hobbyists and indie podcasters who want professionally recorded SFX packs for free.
Unlimited royalty-free music and SFX bundled with stock video
Best for: Podcasters who also produce video clips and want one subscription to cover music, SFX, and stock footage.
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
99Sounds
Pros
- Genuinely free packs with commercial license
- Curated by working sound designers
- 24-bit WAV files standard
Watch-outs
- Pack-based browsing instead of file search
- License terms vary pack-to-pack
- Update cadence slower than commercial libraries
Storyblocks Audio
Pros
- Unlimited audio at $149/year (~$12.40/mo)
- All Access $349/year bundles audio plus video
- Podcast license covers commercial use
Watch-outs
- Long tail of low-quality filler tracks
- Tagging shallow vs Artlist or Epidemic
- No stems on most files
Which one should you pick?
Pick 99Sounds if
You’re building around hobbyists and indie podcasters who want professionally recorded sfx packs for free.. 99Sounds releases free SFX packs curated and recorded by professional sound designers — typically Creative Commons or custom royalty-free, most cleared for commercial use including podcasts. Recent 2026 releases include cinematic, horror, and electronic packs.
Pick Storyblocks Audio if
You’re building around podcasters who also produce video clips and want one subscription to cover music, sfx, and stock footage.. Storyblocks audio is $149/year unlimited; All Access at $349/year bundles audio with video and stock photos. License is podcast-friendly across plans.
Also worth comparing
Or see all 99Sounds alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does 99Sounds do better than Storyblocks Audio?
99Sounds's standout is "Genuinely free packs with commercial license". Storyblocks Audio doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Unlimited audio at $149/year (~$12.40/mo)" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick 99Sounds; if the second does, pick Storyblocks Audio.
What are the trade-offs?
99Sounds: pack-based browsing instead of file search. Storyblocks Audio: long tail of low-quality filler tracks. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Can I use 99Sounds and Storyblocks Audio together?
Both are music & sfx tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using 99Sounds for one show or episode type and Storyblocks Audio for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.