Downloading music has become an important revenue stream for the music industry as more people choose to receive their favorite songs in this manner. ITunes and Rhapsody are two of the more popular music download sites, but there are others, including those that offer free music downloads. You should, however, check the terms and conditions to see how free they really are.

Free Trials

Certain music download sites such as Live365.com offer free trials where you can access songs for free for a pre-determined amount of time. To qualify, you must register with the site and provide personal and financial information including credit card and/or checking account numbers. At the end of the trial, unless you cancel, you will automatically be debited a recurring subscription fee for the use of the music. If you cancel the trial in time to avoid the fee, the music you downloaded to that point will no longer be accessible.

Try Products

The "Your Free Music Downloads" site asks you to try products from companies they partner with in exchange for free music downloads. You have to complete one or more offers to qualify for the free music. Offers include signing up for credit cards and other services that require payments and using the service for a certain period of time. Failure to start or keep the agreement with these partners cancels the free music.

Membership

Other sites, such as Kazaa.com, say there is no fee to download their music because you are not paying a fee for each song you access. You are allowed to download as many songs as you like. The catch is you must be a member of the site to use this feature, and with membership there is a monthly fee. From a certain point of view, you are downloading music for free, but the reality is you are paying for the use of the music one way or another.

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About Kazaa.com: Music Downloads

Live365.com: Free Downloads