Samples vs Soundly: Sound Library Comparison 2026
Compare Samples and Soundly for sound effects and audio libraries. See pricing, features, and which sound library tool is right for your audio production workflow.
Updated 2026-09 · 2026
Samples
Royalty-free sample library for music producers
Strengths
- +Affordable subscription pricing for unlimited downloads
- +Large collection of music loops and samples
- +Good for music production and beat making
Weaknesses
- -Limited sound effects compared to dedicated SFX libraries
- -Smaller overall library than competitors
- -Basic search and filtering capabilities
Best for
Music producers and beat makers looking for affordable loops and samples
Soundly
Professional sound effects library and workflow tool
Strengths
- +Free desktop app with access to thousands of sounds
- +Excellent search and preview capabilities
- +Direct integration with major DAWs and video editors
Weaknesses
- -Cloud storage requires paid subscription ($9.99/mo)
- -Focuses on SFX rather than music samples
- -Can be overwhelming for beginners
Best for
Sound designers, video editors, and post-production professionals needing SFX
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | No free tier | Free desktop app with library access |
| Monthly Cost | $9.99/month | Free (cloud storage $9.99/mo optional) |
| Library Size | ~50,000+ samples | ~500,000+ sound effects |
| Music Loops/Samples | Extensive collection | Limited, mainly SFX focused |
| Sound Effects | Basic collection | Professional-grade library |
| DAW Integration | Manual drag-and-drop | Direct plugin integration (Pro Tools, Logic, etc.) |
| Video Editor Integration | Not available | Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve |
| Offline Access | Downloaded files only | Desktop app with offline library |
| Search Quality | Basic keyword search | Advanced metadata and similarity search |
| Preview Quality | Standard preview | Waveform visualization and instant preview |
| Content Updates | Monthly additions | Regular library expansions |
| Best Use Case | Music production | Video/film post-production |
The Verdict
Soundly wins for sound effects and post-production work with its free desktop app and massive SFX library, making it the better value for video editors and sound designers. Samples is better suited for music producers who need loops and musical content rather than sound effects. If you're doing video work, Soundly's free tier is hard to beat.
How to switch from Samples to Soundly
- 1Export your download history from Samples via Account Settings > Download History, which generates a CSV of every sample file name and download date so you have a record of what to replace.
- 2Manually re-download or back up any Samples files still needed for active projects, since Samples doesn't offer bulk export and access ends when you cancel the subscription.
- 3Install the free Soundly desktop app and browse or download the sound effects library that matches your production needs.
- 4Set up Soundly's plugin integrations for your DAW or video editor (Pro Tools, Logic, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve) so sounds can be dragged directly into your timeline.
- 5Tag and organize your existing sample backups using Soundly's metadata tools so old and new content stay searchable in one place.
- 6Cancel your Samples subscription once your team confirms all needed files are backed up and Soundly is fully integrated into your workflow.
Samples vs Soundly: common questions
How do I export my downloaded samples from Samples before switching?+
Go to your Samples account dashboard and use the 'Download History' export, which generates a CSV list of every sample you've downloaded along with file names and dates. There's no bulk re-download tool, so you'll need to manually re-download any files still on your local drive or backup before canceling, since access to the cloud library stops the moment your subscription ends.
What do I lose if I switch from Samples to Soundly?+
You lose access to Samples' music loop and sample library entirely once you cancel, and Soundly doesn't offer an equivalent catalog of musical loops since it's built for sound effects. If your workflow depends on melodic loops or beat-making content, you'll need to keep a separate loop library or find another source for that specific need.
Is Soundly's free tier enough for a small audio team?+
Yes, for most sound design and post-production teams the free desktop app covers everything except cross-device cloud sync, which requires the $9.99/mo storage plan. A small team sharing local files or a shared drive can run entirely on the free tier without hitting a feature wall.
Does Soundly integrate with the DAWs and video editors we already use?+
Soundly has direct plugin integration with Pro Tools, Logic, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve, so you can drag sounds straight into your timeline. This is a step up from Samples, which only supports manual drag-and-drop with no native plugin support.
Will switching to Soundly actually cost less over time?+
If you only need the desktop library, Soundly is free versus $9.99/mo for Samples, saving roughly $120/year. If you need cloud sync across devices, Soundly's optional $9.99/mo plan matches Samples' price, so the savings depend entirely on whether you need cloud storage.
Related comparisons
More Marketing tools people are leaving
All Marketing alternatives →More Design tools people are leaving
All Design alternatives →What would you save without Samples or Soundly?
Pick your team size and see the yearly number.