If you’ve ever stared at your phone while video editing and thought, “Where do people even find these sounds?”, you’re not alone. Whether you’re spicing up a Reel, editing a TikTok, or turning your vlog into a cinematic masterpiece, one thing’s clear: the right audio can make or break your video editing game.
And while everyone else is mining Instagram’s For You Page like it’s the audio gold rush of 2025, we’re here to show you the underrated places to find trending sounds and sound effects that are actually worth your time. No generic sound libraries. No endlessly scrolling through overused tracks. Just real, good sources that’ll give your content that viral edge.
Why Trending Audio Matters More Than You Think
Let’s be real: the scroll is brutal. You’ve got about 1.3 seconds to grab attention before someone swipes past your content in favour of a cat playing the piano or a dude making 10 rotis at once. That’s where trending audio steps in.
It’s more than background noise. It’s a signal to the algorithm and your audience that you’re in the know.
When you use trending audio:
- Your video is more likely to get a boost in discovery feeds like Instagram Reels, Moj, or YouTube Shorts
- It creates instant familiarity because people stop because they’ve heard it before, and they want to see what you did with it
- It taps into current emotions and pop culture moments, which makes your content feel instantly relevant
Even better? When you’re early to a trending sound, your video might get bundled with the first wave of high-performing content using that audio. That’s how videos go viral, not just because they’re good, but because they’re timely.
So yeah, we’re calling it: trending audio is the cheat code to better reach, better engagement, and better vibes. Use it wisely.
1. Josh for Creators: The Desi Audio Goldmine
Since TikTok is no longer available in India, Josh has stepped up as one of the top short-form video platforms, and it’s absolutely booming with trending Indian audio.
Whether you’re looking for viral Bollywood dialogues, remix beats, or meme-worthy sound bites, Josh is where it’s happening. Just go to the “Trending” or “Popular” sections, and you’ll find dozens of rising sounds each day — all with built-in “Use Audio” features.
Want to stand out? Look at what’s trending in regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi — these are often underexploited and packed with viral potential.
2. YouTube’s Audio Library (Still a Hidden Gem!)
Honestly, this one is so slept on it might as well be wearing a hoodie and headphones. YouTube’s Audio Library has a treasure trove of sound effects and royalty-free music that’s actually useful for creators.
- Organised by mood, genre, instrument
- Clear licensing terms
- Built-in preview player
If you’re looking for background music or sound effects (think swooshes, dings, camera clicks, you name it), this is a goldmine. Plus, yes, you can download sound effects free, no strings attached.
3. Epidemic Sound’s “Find Similar” Button
Already have a favourite sound but want something a little less overplayed? Use Epidemic Sound’s “Find Similar” tool. It’s basically Shazam meets Spotify meets your next viral video’s soundtrack.
This tool helps you dig deeper and find trending audio that hasn’t hit the mainstream yet — ideal if you want to ride a trend without looking like you copied everyone else.
Hot tip: Search “Percussion + Uplifting” or “Urban + Quirky” to unlock gold for Reels or product videos.
4. Reddit’s r/InternetIsBeautiful and r/ViralMedia
Yeah, Reddit. Don’t sleep on it. These subreddits are filled with weird, hilarious, and sometimes brilliant sound bites that haven’t yet been chewed up and spit out by the algorithm gods.
You’ll find links to obscure creators, memes-turned-music, and weirdly viral sound effects people are turning into edits. It’s like discovering the secret backroom of the internet’s coolest record store.
5. Instagram Reels’ “Use Audio” Feature
This feature gets ignored so often it’s tragic. Instead of digging through the Reels tab aimlessly, find a video with solid engagement and tap “Use Audio” — even if it’s just 300 plays.
Sometimes the most authentic trending audio starts with micro-creators. Jumping on those early beats can make your Reel feel fresher and more original than the top-trending tracks everyone’s already heard a thousand times.
6. SoundCloud B-Side Hunting
SoundCloud isn’t just for sad boi rap and experimental techno (though bless those genres). It’s a haven for up-and-coming sounds that haven’t hit TikTok or Instagram yet.
Search by tags like “edit,” “transition,” or “intro beat” — you’ll be shocked at how many creators are uploading sample tracks specifically for editors. And yes, many tracks have free downloads or lenient usage terms — just make sure to check permissions.
7. CapCut Templates with Built-In Audio
CapCut’s not just for editing — it’s an audio discovery tool, too. Their prebuilt templates often feature music or sound bites already climbing the charts on TikTok.
It’s basically like someone handed you a finished edit and said, “Here’s what’s hot right now. Want in?” Click “Use Template,” grab the sound, and go!
8. AudioJungle (But Sort by Downloads Low to High)
We know, AudioJungle is super commercial. BUT — flip the default sorting. Instead of sorting by “Popular,” filter by “Newest” or “Downloads: Low to High.”
You’ll uncover fresh uploads, sleeper tracks, and video editing-friendly audio that hasn’t been rinsed and repeated across the internet 47,000 times.
9. Moj App + Hashtag Hacking
Another platform gaining serious traction in India is Moj — and trust us, it’s more than just a TikTok replacement. It has its own search-driven audio discovery that’s way more intuitive than you’d expect.
Instead of scrolling endlessly, use hashtags like:
- #viralvoice
- #funnyedit
- #beatsfordays
- #reelsound
You’ll uncover trending audio clips, sound effects, and music edits used by up-and-coming creators. The best part? It’s all regional, all homegrown, which gives your content a culturally relevant edge.
10. Discord Servers for Creators
There are Discord servers, many of them, dedicated to content creators sharing sound effects, trending audio tips, and download links. Join a few (search YouTube or Reddit for invites) and tap into their audio archives.
Bonus? These creators usually share sound effects for free download, plus meme edits and remix versions that you won’t find anywhere else.
What About Copyright?
Glad you asked. Always check licensing. Just because something is free to download doesn’t mean it’s free to use commercially. Stick with sites like:
- YouTube Audio Library
- Epidemic Sound (with a license)
- Anything marked as Creative Commons 0 (CC0)
If you’re posting on branded or monetised pages, these are the safest bets. Otherwise, your viral masterpiece might get muted or taken down, and nobody wants that heartbreak.
Sound Effects? Oh, We Got You.
Looking for sound effects for that perfect swoosh, glass break, rewind, or villain laugh? These underrated sources serve up sound effects free downloads without the watermark drama:
- Zapsplat
- Freesound.org
- Mixkit
- Motion Array – Free SFX
Pair them with your trending audio or video editing templates for scroll-stopping content. Because let’s be honest, a transition without a sound is just… awkward.
Final Thoughts
If video editing is the art, audio is the emotion. The vibe. The heartbeat. And with platforms like Reels, TikTok (if you’ve still got it), and Shorts favouring snappy, trend-savvy videos, finding the right sound is half the battle.
So don’t just follow the same five trending audios everyone else is using, get there before they blow up. These underrated resources will help you stay ahead of the curve, boost engagement, and most importantly, make your content sound as good as it looks.
But before you go, we’ll let you in on a little secret, LW Digital’s got the best of all audio finding and video editing hacks right up our sleeves. Drop us a message and we’ll make sure you find the exact sound effects you’re looking to feature in your next video.
Go forth. Edit boldly. And never underestimate the power of a perfectly timed “whoosh.”
TL;DR (Too Lazy, Didn’t Rewind?)
If you’re looking for underrated places to find trending audio and sound effects that actually work:
- Use Josh for Creators (filter by region for early trends)
- Dive into YouTube Audio Library and SoundCloud for royalty-free gems
- Explore CapCut templates, AudioJungle, and Reddit for niche sounds
- Join Discord servers and quirky search terms on Moj and Instagram
- Always check usage rights, and grab your sound effects free download from legit sources
Add the right audio. Make magic. Let them scroll no more.
