Storyblocks vs Uppbeat
A side-by-side look at Storyblocks and Uppbeat for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
Storyblocks
Unlimited stock media bundle including music and sound effects
Pricing shown in CAD on site. Unlimited All Access (includes music) approx. CAD $42/month annually. 7-day free trial available.
Visit Storyblocks
At a glance
| Storyblocks | Uppbeat | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Pricing shown in CAD on site. Unlimited All Access (includes music) approx. CAD $42/month annually. 7-day free trial available. | Free plan |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Best for | Video producers and multimedia creators who need stock footage and audio together under one subscription | New podcasters or creators on a tight budget who want a legal free option before committing to a paid subscription |
| Founded | 2009 | 2020 |
Key features
Storyblocks
- Unlimited downloads of music, sound effects, and video footage
- AI video and image generation tools
- Adobe Creative Cloud plugin
- Video editing tools built in
- 8K/4K/HD stock footage
- Photos, vectors, and templates included
Uppbeat
- YouTube channel safelisting
- Free tier with 3 downloads/month and individual license
- Unlimited downloads on paid tiers
- Sound effects library on paid tiers
- Stock video and motion graphics on Creator and Pro plans
- Extended license for client work on Pro plan
Pros and cons
Storyblocks
Pros
- Single subscription covers video, audio, and graphics
- Unlimited downloads on all paid plans
- Strong stock footage library
Cons
- Music catalog is thinner and less curated than dedicated services
- Annual billing required for advertised monthly rates
- No dedicated podcast-specific features or safelisting tools
Uppbeat
Pros
- Best free tier in the category - genuinely usable
- Competitive annual pricing on Essentials
- Simple, transparent licensing
Cons
- Catalog smaller than Epidemic Sound or Artlist
- Free tier limited to 25% of catalog
- Pro plan needed for client-facing or commercial work
The verdict
Choose Storyblocks if
Video producers and multimedia creators who need stock footage and audio together under one subscription.
Storyblocks is the right choice if you need both video and audio assets and don't want to pay for two services. The Unlimited All Access plan at roughly $42/month (annual, in CAD on their site - approximately $31 USD) covers…
Choose Uppbeat if
New podcasters or creators on a tight budget who want a legal free option before committing to a paid subscription.
Uppbeat's free tier is the most genuinely usable free offering in this category - 3 downloads per month with full licensing isn't just a teaser, it's workable for a weekly podcast that rotates intro music infrequently. The Essentials plan at…