Artlist is a creative technology company founded in 2016 by Ira Belsky, Itzik Elbaz, Eyal Raz, and Asaf Eyalon in Kibbutz Afikim, Israel. Now headquartered in Tel Aviv, Artlist operates a subscription-based platform providing royalty-free music, sound effects, stock footage, video templates, and AI-powered creative tools to over 20 million creators worldwide. The company reached $300 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) at the start of 2026, growing approximately 50% year-over-year.
How Artlist Works
Unlike marketplace competitors that take a commission per download, Artlist purchases tracks and footage outright from creators. This means Artlist owns the rights to its catalog and can offer license clarity that user-generated platforms cannot match. When you download a track, the license covers universal usage with no per-project fees or territorial restrictions.
The platform launched as a music-only catalog in 2016, added stock footage in 2019, launched sound effects in 2020, and introduced an AI-powered voiceover tool in 2023. In 2025, Artlist repositioned itself as an AI-based platform with the launch of Artlist Studio, an AI-based production environment. The company acquired Motion Array and FXhome along the way, expanding its product portfolio into video editing and visual effects.
Artlist employs approximately 500 people and serves users in 160 countries. The company raised $48 million from KKR in 2020 and has been in talks with BlackRock for additional investment.
Pricing Plans
Artlist offers three subscription tiers (prices reflect annual billing):
- Music and SFX Social ($9.99/month): For single-channel content creators. Includes access to music and SFX for personal social channels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube) and podcasts. One social channel per platform.
- Music and SFX Pro ($16.58/month): For multi-channel creators working on personal and commercial projects. Includes unlimited music, stems, and sound effects, Premiere Pro extension, and unlimited access on three social channels per platform.
- Artlist Max ($39.99/month): Full access to all Artlist assets and features, including music, SFX, stock footage, video templates, and AI tools. Unlimited access and rights to whatever you create.
- Enterprise: Custom solutions for global teams with tailored licensing, AI tools, dedicated account management, advanced security, and scalable features.
Real-World Example
A YouTube creator producing weekly videos needs background music and sound effects for 50 videos per year. Instead of licensing each track individually at $30 to $100 per track (which would cost $1,500 to $5,000 annually), the creator subscribes to Artlist's Music and SFX Pro plan at $16.58/month (approximately $199/year). The creator downloads unlimited tracks and SFX, all covered by Artlist's universal license for commercial YouTube monetization. If the creator later needs stock footage for a branded video, upgrading to Artlist Max at $39.99/month unlocks the full asset library including footage and templates.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
Artlist buys music outright from creators rather than operating a commission-based marketplace. This means you get paid upfront for your tracks rather than waiting for per-stream royalties. The company's 20 million-plus user base means your music gets exposure across a massive range of YouTube channels, films, ads, and social media content. If you produce high-quality, commercially viable tracks across genres like electronic, cinematic, hip-hop, pop, or ambient, submit your music through the Artlist website. The company looks for exclusive tracks that fit its curated catalog model.
Platform Features
- Over 700,000 Assets: Music, SFX, stock footage, video templates, LUTs, and plugins
- Universal License: Use assets in any project, anywhere, with no per-project fees
- AI-Powered Tools: Voiceover generator with licensed voice models and Artlist Studio production environment
- Premiere Pro Extension: Direct integration for browsing and importing assets
- Stems Available: Many tracks include stems for custom mixing
- Global Coverage: License valid worldwide with no territorial restrictions
- Enterprise Solutions: Custom licensing, AI tools, and dedicated account management for large organizations
Company Type and Business Model
Artlist is a royalty-free subscription platform, not a production music library or sync placement agency. The company purchases tracks and footage outright from creators, then licenses them to subscribers through a universal license. This differs from marketplace models (where artists list tracks and earn per download) and from boutique agencies (where reps pitch music to supervisors for individual placements).
The company owns the rights to its catalog. This allows Artlist to offer a universal license with no per-project fees, no territorial restrictions, and no ongoing royalty obligations to artists. Artists receive upfront payment instead of ongoing royalties.
Catalog Size and Genre Coverage
Artlist offers over 700,000 assets across multiple categories:
- Music tracks across electronic, cinematic, hip-hop, pop, ambient, rock, folk, and orchestral genres
- Sound effects library
- Stock footage clips
- Video templates
- LUTs and plugins
- AI-generated content through Artlist Studio
The music catalog includes stems for many tracks, allowing subscribers to custom-mix individual instruments. New content is added regularly as Artlist acquires tracks from creators.
Client Base
Artlist serves over 20 million creators in 160 countries. Clients include:
- YouTube creators: Single-channel and multi-channel content producers who need music for monetized videos
- Advertising agencies: Brands running digital and broadcast campaigns
- Film and video producers: Independent filmmakers and production companies
- Podcasters: Creators needing music and SFX for audio content
- Enterprise clients: Google, Nike, and Netflix use Artlist for large-scale content production
- Social media creators: Users on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitch
How Artlist Pays Artists
Artlist buys music outright from creators rather than operating a commission-based marketplace. Artists receive an upfront payment when their tracks are accepted. There are no ongoing royalties or per-stream payments.
This model means:
- Artists get paid immediately upon acceptance
- Artlist owns the rights to accepted tracks
- Artists cannot earn ongoing revenue from the same tracks on other platforms (if the deal is exclusive)
- Payment amounts vary based on track quality, exclusivity, and catalog needs
Artists submit tracks through the Artlist website for review. The company looks for exclusive tracks that fit its curated catalog model. Accepted tracks are purchased and integrated into the catalog.
Platform Demo and Tutorial
Comparison: Artlist vs Other Sync Licensing Platforms
| Feature | Artlist | Soundstripe | Epidemic Sound | Marmoset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company type | Royalty-free subscription platform | Royalty-free subscription platform | Royalty-free subscription platform | Boutique licensing agency |
| Licensing model | Subscription (3 tiers) | Subscription + single-song | Subscription | Per-placement + subscription (Track Club) |
| Starting price | $9.99/month | $19.99/month | $15/month | Custom per project |
| Catalog size | 700,000+ assets | 116,000+ tracks | 40,000+ tracks | Selective, limited roster |
| Artist payment | Upfront buyout | Royalties from subscription revenue | Upfront fee + royalties | 50/50 fee split |
| Artist rights ownership | Artlist owns tracks | Artists retain rights | Epidemic owns tracks | Artists retain rights |
| Genre focus | Broad (electronic, cinematic, pop, hip-hop, ambient, rock, folk, orchestral) | Broad (pop, rock, country, folk, acoustic, electronic, hip-hop) | Broad (electronic, pop, cinematic, hip-hop) | Indie, folk, alternative, Americana, vintage |
| Best for | High-volume creators needing music, SFX, and footage | Creators needing stems and YouTube clearance | YouTube creators wanting simple licensing | Filmmakers and ad agencies wanting curated, authentic music |
| Indemnification | Universal license covers all use | $1M on enterprise plans | Included with subscription | Per-license terms |
| AI tools | Yes (Artlist Studio, AI voiceover) | Yes (AI search, AI song editing) | No | No |
Similar Sync Licensing Companies
- Soundstripe - Nashville-based subscription platform with royalty model for artists
- Epidemic Sound - Swedish subscription platform with upfront artist payments
- Marmoset - Portland-based boutique agency for curated indie and folk music
- Musicbed - Licensing platform focused on independent and emerging artists
- PremiumBeat - Shutterstock-owned royalty-free music platform
Related Resources
- Sync Licensing Companies Directory - Browse more sync licensing companies
- Sync Licensing Fee Calculator - Estimate licensing fees for your projects
- Streaming Royalty Calculator - Calculate streaming revenue alongside sync income
- Sync License Glossary Term - Learn what a sync license covers
- Visit Artlist for subscription plans and catalog access
