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Head-to-head · Stock Music Libraries

Pond5 vs Audio Network

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Pond5 #4 in Stock Music Libraries 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Pond5
Audio Network #8 in Stock Music Libraries 8.3/10 Free plan + paid ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Audio Network

Pond5 leads on 1 check, Audio Network on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePond5 · 8.7/10
  • Free planonly Pond5
  • Most featuresAudio Network · 4 of 5

Pond5 scores higher on our rubric for stock music libraries: 8.7 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

Pond5 offers free plan; Audio Network doesn't.

Pond5 is the better fit for teams needing a very large media marketplace. Audio Network is the better fit for broadcasters needing search and licensing support.

  • Pond5 fits best

    Teams needing a very large media marketplace

  • Audio Network fits best

    Broadcasters needing search and licensing support

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Pond5 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Audio Network 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.3
Ranking #4 in Stock Music Libraries #8 in Stock Music Libraries
Best for Teams needing a very large media marketplace Broadcasters needing search and licensing support
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Pond5 3/5 · Audio Network 4/5
Client work license Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Perpetual usage rights ✓ ✓
Stem downloads ✓ ✓
SFX included ✓ ✓
AI-generated music Not checked yet —
Specs
Licensing model Hybrid Hybrid
Catalog size 2.5e+06 tracks Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 2.5-million-track music catalog with stems and sampling-cleared options
  • Perpetual worldwide licensing plus à-la-carte and subscription access
  • Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, Frame.io, and API integrations
  • AI search supports keywords, prompts, scenes, reference tracks and lyrics
  • Alternate mixes, cutdowns, edits and selected stems support production workflows
  • Global licences cover advertising, social, TV, radio, podcasts and YouTube
Cons
  • Subscription plans provide 10 downloads per month
  • Some plans include only selected footage, images, or templates
  • Individual licenses may not fit team-wide production requirements
  • The platform is available through the web only
  • Stem downloads are limited to selected tracks
  • Final use requires a licence after account access or test downloads
Our verdict

Pond5 is a web-based marketplace for royalty-free music, sound effects, video, photos, illustrations, templates, and related media. It is suited to filmmakers, media organizations, marketers, and other creative professionals who need…

Read the review →

Audio Network is a production music library for broadcasters, filmmakers, brands, agencies and other content creators. Its catalogue spans genres and supports licensing for individual tracks, projects and annual team access. The service is…

Read the review →
  1. Pond5Stock Music Libraries 8.7Free plan
  2. Audio NetworkStock Music Libraries 8.3Free plan + paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Pond5 — where it wins

    • 2.5-million-track music catalog with stems and sampling-cleared options
    • Perpetual worldwide licensing plus à-la-carte and subscription access
    • Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, Frame.io, and API integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Subscription plans provide 10 downloads per month
    • Some plans include only selected footage, images, or templates
    • Individual licenses may not fit team-wide production requirements

  • Audio Network — where it wins

    • AI search supports keywords, prompts, scenes, reference tracks and lyrics
    • Alternate mixes, cutdowns, edits and selected stems support production workflows
    • Global licences cover advertising, social, TV, radio, podcasts and YouTube

    Where it doesn't

    • The platform is available through the web only
    • Stem downloads are limited to selected tracks
    • Final use requires a licence after account access or test downloads
  • Pond58.7/10 · Free plan

    A large media marketplace with flexible licensing, subscriptions, and professional workflow options.

    Visit Pond5Full verdict →
  • Audio Network8.3/10 · Free plan + paid

    A broad, search-led music library with flexible licensing for professional content teams.

    Visit Audio NetworkFull verdict →

More comparisons

All stock music libraries comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update