How to Add Music to Slideshows for Free: 8 Easy Tools and Methods

Creating a slideshow is an excellent way to share moments or information, but without music, it can feel flat. Music sets the mood and gives your slides a smoother rhythm. Whether you’re preparing a school presentation, a photo montage for someone special, or a work-related demo, adding the right music can change the entire experience. And the best part? You don’t need to pay for it. There are plenty of tools and tricks to add music to your slideshows without spending anything.

Here are eight free ways to do just that.

8 Ways to Add Music to a Slideshow

Use Google Slides with Audio from Google Drive

Google Slides does not support an integrated music library, but it allows you to embed audio files. To do this, upload your audio track (in MP3 or WAV) to Google Drive. Once uploaded, open your slideshow, click on “Insert,” and select “Audio.” Pick the uploaded file, and it will be embedded in your slide.

You can customize the settings so that the music plays automatically or with just a click. You can even conceal the audio icon during the presentation if you don’t want it to appear. It’s a simple option if you’re already utilizing Google’s tools.

Create a Slideshow with Canva’s Free Slideshow Maker

The drag-and-drop format at Canva is simple to use, allowing you to produce well-designed slideshows easily, and it has a free library of background tracks. After producing your slides, go to the “Audio” tab and select the free tracks they offer. If you have your own music, you can upload it too, even on the free plan.

When you’re finished, export the slideshow as a video. The music gets “baked in” to the file, so you don’t have to synchronize it again in the future.

Microsoft PowerPoint with a Free Track

PowerPoint allows you to add audio directly to your slides. If you have a free track downloaded—something royalty-free from sites like Free Music Archive or Pixabay Music—you can insert it by going to “Insert,” then “Audio,” and choosing “Audio on My PC.”

Once inserted, you can adjust whether the track plays automatically, loops, or fades in or out. If your presentation is long, you can also trim the track or set it to stop after a certain number of slides.

This works even if you’re using the free version of PowerPoint through a school or work account.

Adobe Express (Formerly Adobe Spark)

Adobe Express has a slideshow video maker that’s free to use, and it includes access to a collection of background music. Once you’ve selected your images or video clips, you can browse their audio section and choose something that matches the tone you’re going for—light and cheerful, calm and mellow, or something more upbeat.

You can preview your slideshow as you build it, and there’s no watermark if you download it through a free account. The editing options are simple, so you won’t need to worry about syncing audio clips manually.

iMovie for Mac and iOS Users

If you’re on a Mac, you likely already have iMovie installed. iMovie is free and gives you full control over both visuals and audio. You can drag in your photos to create a slideshow, then import a track from your Music app or download a free one online.

iMovie lets you adjust timing easily, fade in and out, and trim the song so it fits the length of your slideshow. It’s especially good if you want your transitions to match changes in the music. And the final product can be exported as a video, making it easy to share.

Use Kapwing’s Free Video Editor

Kapwing is a free browser-based editor that doesn’t require installation. After uploading your images to make a slideshow, you can upload an audio track and drag it into place on the timeline. The interface is visual, so it’s easy to match the pacing of the slides with beats or changes in the music.

Kapwing supports various file formats, and it doesn’t force a watermark if you sign up for a free account. You can trim both images and music directly on the timeline, which helps keep the project tidy.

Windows Video Editor (Built into Windows 10 & 11)

Most Windows users don’t realize they already have a free tool built in that can do this job. Open the Photos app, click on “Video Editor,” and you’ll find the option to start a new video project. Add your photos to the storyboard, then click “Background Music” to pick from the included options or “Custom audio” if you’ve got your own file.

You can align the music length to the slideshow and apply automatic syncing if you’re using the background tracks. The tool is simple, but it covers the basics, and you don’t need any extra software to get started.

Animoto’s Free Slideshow Maker

Animoto is another user-friendly option that works entirely in your browser. Its free version lets you create photo and video slideshows with built-in music tracks. Once you upload your images, you can choose a theme and browse their free music library, which is organized by mood and style. From calm acoustic to upbeat electronic, there’s a decent variety even without a paid plan.

You can trim the audio, adjust slide timing, and preview everything before exporting your video. The free plan includes the Animoto branding, but it doesn’t limit your ability to share or download your slideshow. For quick projects where you want visuals and music to feel cohesive with minimal effort, this platform works well.

Conclusion

Adding music to a slideshow doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With the right free tools, you can create something that feels polished and expressive without touching your wallet. Whether you’re working in Google Slides, editing in iMovie, or putting everything together in Canva or Kapwing, there’s a solution that matches your setup and style. The key is to choose the one that fits how and where you’ll share your slideshow. Music brings emotion and flow—when added right, it can turn even a simple set of images into something people remember.