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Head-to-head · Sound Effects Libraries

Soundly vs BOOM Library

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Soundly #1 in Sound Effects Libraries 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Soundly
BOOM Library #11 in Sound Effects Libraries 7.6/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit BOOM Library

Soundly leads on 3 checks, BOOM Library on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSoundly · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Soundly
  • Most featuresSoundly · 3 of 3

Soundly scores higher on our rubric for sound effects libraries: 9.4 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #11.

Soundly offers free plan; BOOM Library doesn't. On download model, BOOM Library gives you Per-asset where Soundly offers Unlimited. Soundly offers perpetual usage; BOOM Library doesn't. Soundly leads on catalog size: 250000 sounds versus 210000 sounds.

Soundly is the better fit for editors needing a full professional sound workflow. BOOM Library is the better fit for professional post-production and broadcast teams.

  • Soundly fits best

    Editors needing a full professional sound workflow

  • BOOM Library fits best

    Professional post-production and broadcast teams

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Side by side

Feature Soundly 9.4/10 Visit ↗ BOOM Library 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 7.6
Ranking #1 in Sound Effects Libraries #11 in Sound Effects Libraries
Best for Editors needing a full professional sound workflow Professional post-production and broadcast teams
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows, macOS
Support Email, Docs Email, Phone, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Soundly 3/3 · BOOM Library 2/3
Commercial use ✓ ✓
Perpetual usage ✓ (best) —
Broadcast use ✓ ✓
Specs
Download model Unlimited Per-asset
Catalog size 250000 sounds (best) 210000 sounds
File formats Not checked yet WAV
Our review
Pros
  • 250,000-sound Pro library with unlimited downloads
  • Search, indexing, metadata, and processing in one desktop workflow
  • Integrations with major audio, video, and game-audio tools
  • 210,000 WAV sounds across production-focused categories
  • Metadata, keyword search, and Universal Category System organization
  • Stereo, surround, enterprise, and multi-seat licensing options
Cons
  • Runs on Windows and macOS only
  • Free access has 10,000 local files and 25 Voice Designer renders
  • New productions cannot use sounds after a subscription expires
  • BOOM ONE Subscription costs $495 per year
  • There is no free plan for evaluating the catalog
  • The catalog is delivered as WAV files on Windows and macOS
Our verdict

Soundly is desktop software for sound designers, editors, filmmakers, game-audio teams, and other media creators. It combines a searchable cloud sound-effects library with local-library indexing, collection management, metadata editing,…

Read the review →

BOOM Library provides downloadable WAV sound effects and source recordings for filmmakers, game studios, broadcasters, agencies, and post-production teams. Its catalog covers themed collections, Foley, ambiences, cinematic effects,…

Read the review →
  1. SoundlySound Effects Libraries 9.4Free plan
  2. BOOM LibrarySound Effects Libraries 7.6Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Soundly — where it wins

    • 250,000-sound Pro library with unlimited downloads
    • Search, indexing, metadata, and processing in one desktop workflow
    • Integrations with major audio, video, and game-audio tools

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs on Windows and macOS only
    • Free access has 10,000 local files and 25 Voice Designer renders
    • New productions cannot use sounds after a subscription expires

  • BOOM Library — where it wins

    • 210,000 WAV sounds across production-focused categories
    • Metadata, keyword search, and Universal Category System organization
    • Stereo, surround, enterprise, and multi-seat licensing options

    Where it doesn't

    • BOOM ONE Subscription costs $495 per year
    • There is no free plan for evaluating the catalog
    • The catalog is delivered as WAV files on Windows and macOS

More comparisons

All sound effects libraries comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update