Head-to-head comparison
Incompetech vs PremiumBeat
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.
Kevin MacLeod's free Creative Commons catalogue
Best for: Indie podcasts that need free, podcast-cleared music and don't mind giving attribution.
Shutterstock-owned royalty-free music with per-track licensing
Best for: Podcasters who only need one or two tracks and prefer to pay per song rather than subscribe.
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
Incompetech
Pros
- Free under CC BY 4.0, podcasts covered
- 2,000+ tracks across every common mood
- Optional paid attribution-removal license
Watch-outs
- Many tracks overexposed and recognizable
- Site UI is dated, search is basic
- Attribution required unless paid license
PremiumBeat
Pros
- $49 Standard license covers podcasts
- Subscription bundle: 5 tracks/mo for $64.95
- Curated catalogue with consistent quality
Watch-outs
- Per-track adds up fast for active shows
- Library smaller than subscription competitors
- Premium license ($199) needed for broader use
Which one should you pick?
Pick Incompetech if
You’re building around indie podcasts that need free, podcast-cleared music and don't mind giving attribution.. Kevin MacLeod has released over 2,000 royalty-free tracks under CC BY 4.0 since the early 2000s.
Pick PremiumBeat if
You’re building around podcasters who only need one or two tracks and prefer to pay per song rather than subscribe.. PremiumBeat (owned by Shutterstock) is one of the last big libraries still leaning into per-track licensing. Standard license at $49 per track covers podcasts.
Also worth comparing
Or see all Incompetech alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does Incompetech do better than PremiumBeat?
Incompetech's standout is "Free under CC BY 4.0, podcasts covered". PremiumBeat doesn't make that promise — it leans into "$49 Standard license covers podcasts" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Incompetech; if the second does, pick PremiumBeat.
What are the trade-offs?
Incompetech: many tracks overexposed and recognizable. PremiumBeat: per-track adds up fast for active shows. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Can I use Incompetech and PremiumBeat together?
Both are music & sfx tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Incompetech for one show or episode type and PremiumBeat for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.