If you’re a YouTuber, filmmaker, or podcaster, chances are you’ve come across Epidemic Sound — one of the most popular royalty-free music platforms for creators.
I used it too.
Until I stumbled into a refund maze that exposed something darker than a simple billing glitch.
In October 2025, I upgraded from their Creator plan to Pro, thinking I was paying for a full-year license. Instead, I got barely five months of access and a refund that never arrived.
So, if you’re searching “Is Epidemic Sound worth it?” or “Is Epidemic Sound safe?”, read this before you upgrade.
The Timeline: From Upgrade to Refund Chaos
May 15, 2025 – The Beginning (Creator Plan)
I subscribed to the Creator Plan (Invoice #21276519). The price was ₹3,000 after discount — fair deal, smooth experience.
Oct 12, 2025 – The Upgrade Trap (Pro Plan)
Epidemic Sound promoted a 44% “annual” Pro plan upgrade. I clicked “Upgrade,” expecting a fresh 12-month license.
Instead, they linked my old Creator plan date to the new Pro plan. So my “annual” upgrade still expires in May 2026, only ~7 months away.
Feeling misled, I cancelled immediately.
Oct 13, 2025 – The False Refund Promise
Their support confirmed:
“We’ve issued a refund for ₹5,189.46. You’ll see it in 3–5 business days.”
But the refund invoice told another story — both refund attempts were declined.
Oct 20, 2025 – Bank Statement Confirms the Charge
My ICICI Bank statement shows a successful ₹3,425.15 debit to “Epidemic Sound AB – Stockholm, SE.”
No refund ever credited back.
Current Status – Subscription Expired, Refund Missing
My Epidemic Sound dashboard now shows “Expired Subscription.”
No Pro features. No Creator plan. No refund.
⚠️ The Real Problem: Prorated “Dark Pattern” Billing
Here’s what actually happened behind the scenes:
- Epidemic Sound applied a prorated credit (₹1,764.31) from my previous plan.
- The system charged the “remaining” ₹3,425.15 — not the full ₹5,189.46.
- But the new plan didn’t reset to a new annual cycle; it just continued the old one.
So effectively, I paid for a “discounted” upgrade but got less than half the duration.
That’s a dark UX pattern — presenting a deal that looks like a 12-month offer but actually merges with your existing term.
Contradictions in Support Responses
Epidemic Sound’s replies kept changing:
| Date | Support Response | Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 13 2025 | “Refund issued successfully.” | Refund = Declined |
| Oct 17 2025 | “Declined due to insufficient funds.” | My card had ₹25k+ available |
| Oct 19 2025 | “Refund processed again.” | Still nothing in statement |
Even my ICICI bank relationship manager confirmed — no such refund was ever received.
Why This Matters Beyond ₹5,000
It’s not about the amount.
It’s about transparency.
Creators trust platforms like Epidemic Sound with global licensing, ads, and client work. If the billing system itself misleads users — that’s a breach of trust.
I’ve used dozens of SaaS tools. Most clarify billing cycles before upgrades.
Epidemic Sound didn’t.
Final Verdict: Is Epidemic Sound Safe?
❌ No — for refund transparency.
What happened to me could happen to any creator who trusts the “Upgrade” button without reading every line.
If Epidemic Sound wants to maintain its credibility in 2025, it needs:
- Transparent renewal logic.
- Refund tracking references.
- Faster, accountable customer support.
Until then, think twice before clicking Upgrade.