If you were around in the early 2000s, you probably remember the ringtone craze. Those days when someone’s Nokia would blast out Crazy Frog or the opening bars of Eminem’s Lose Yourself—and everyone within earshot rolled their eyes but secretly wanted the same tone. It was a cultural moment.
Now, here’s the twist: ringtones never really died. They just went quiet for a while. People got used to default iPhone sounds, sure, but personalization is back in fashion. And with the whole “creator economy” exploding, there’s a quirky little music opportunity hiding in plain sight: selling ringtones.
Creating and selling ringtones is a low-overhead music-related business. It doesn’t require a warehouse full of stock, and—best part—it scales. You make a ringtone once, and it can keep earning for years. This isn’t about chasing some forgotten trend; it’s about tapping into niches where unique sounds, music loops, or even silly voice clips can find a paying audience.
So, who’s this for? Musicians, hobbyist producers, audio editors, meme-lovers, and, honestly, anyone who likes the idea of turning creativity into a side income. Stick with me, because I’ll show you the whole roadmap—from coming up with ringtone ideas to cashing out your first sales.
Why Sell Ringtones? (The Benefits)
Let’s be real: ringtones aren’t going to make you a millionaire. But they can become a neat little passive income stream if you play it smart.
- Passive Income Potential: Think of it like digital real estate. Once your tone is out there, it can sell again and again while you sleep. That’s the beauty of digital products.
- Low Startup Costs: No fancy studio needed. If you have a laptop, free software, and some imagination, you’re already halfway in the game.
- Global Reach: Upload something today, and someone in New York, Tokyo, or Cape Town could be downloading it tomorrow. Not many side hustles have that kind of instant reach.
- Creative Outlet: Maybe you’ve got beats sitting on your hard drive gathering dust. Or you love experimenting with sound effects. Turning those into ringtones is a fun way to get them heard.
- Scalability: Start small. Even with 10–15 tones, you can test the waters. If they catch on, keep building your catalog. A hundred tones = a decent little digital empire.
Understanding the Legalities (The MOST Important Section)
Okay, quick reality check: this is where a lot of beginners mess up. Using someone else’s song, movie dialogue, or even a TikTok clip without permission is a legal nightmare waiting to happen. And trust me, music copyright lawyers do not play nice.
So what’s actually fair game?
- Original Creations – Your beats, your recordings, your voice. You own it, you can sell it.
- Royalty-Free or Creative Commons Sounds – There are great libraries online, but always read the fine print. Some licenses say “for personal use only,” which means no reselling.
- Public Domain Works – Stuff like Beethoven, Mozart, or folk tunes that are old enough to be copyright-free. You can remix them into modern ringtones legally.
- Licensed Material – Yes, you can get a license to sell a popular song as a ringtone. But unless you’ve got deep pockets and legal patience, don’t bother—it’s expensive and messy.
👉 Bottom line: Stick to your own original sounds or royalty-free packs with clear commercial use rights. Play it clean, and you’ll sleep better at night.
Essential Tools & Software You’ll Need
The good news? You don’t need to be Hans Zimmer with a million-dollar studio.
DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
- Free: Audacity (super beginner-friendly), GarageBand (Mac folks love it).
- Paid: FL Studio, Ableton Live, Adobe Audition (if you want more power).
Samples & Sounds
- Free: Freesound.org, BBC Sound Archive.
- Paid: Splice, Loopmasters, Soundsnap.
Optional Mic
If you want to record your own quirky stuff (like slamming doors, funny voices, or beatboxing), a USB mic like Blue Yeti is perfect.
Headphones/Monitors
Please don’t rely on laptop speakers. Even half-decent headphones will make your editing a lot smoother.
Step-by-Step: Creating Your First Profitable Ringtone
Step 1: Pick Your Niche
Generic won’t cut it. People search for specific vibes. Examples:
- Memes (“bruh,” anime screams, TikTok-style reactions).
- Chill loops (lo-fi beats, ambient sounds).
- Nature vibes (birds chirping, rainfall, campfire).
- Motivational phrases (your own voice saying “Wake up, legend!”).
- Gaming tones (8-bit effects, battle sounds).
Pro tip: open Google Trends or just search marketplaces to see what’s hot right now.
Step 2: Produce & Edit
- Keep it 15–30 seconds. Short, catchy, no filler.
- Hook them in the first 3–5 seconds.
- Export as MP3 (Android) or M4R (iPhone).
- Normalize volume so it’s clear but not ear-piercing.
Step 3: Brand It Properly
- Don’t call it “MyRingtone1.” Give it a real name like “Epic Space Alarm” or “Funny Meme Siren.”
- Add tags people actually search for: “anime ringtone,” “cute iPhone alert.”
- Design a quick cover image (500×500) in Canva. Yes, even ringtones look more professional with a little branding.
Where to Sell Ringtones: 4 Platforms & Marketplaces
Once you’ve created a few solid ringtones, the big question is: where do you actually sell them? The good news is, you’ve got multiple options. Each has its own quirks, so the “best” platform depends on your goals—do you want speed, higher profits, or long-term brand control? Let’s break it down.
1. Sell on Your Own Website
If you’re serious about building a brand, setting up your own store is worth considering.
How it works: Use Shopify, WordPress site (with WooCommerce), or Gumroad to upload your ringtones. Buyers purchase directly, and you keep most of the revenue.
Pros:
- Full control over branding and pricing.
- No commission fees cutting into your profits.
- Ability to collect emails and build a fanbase.
Cons:
- You have to drive all the traffic yourself (through social media, ads, or SEO).
- Slightly more setup effort compared to marketplaces.
👉 If you already have a small following on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, selling directly makes sense—you can keep fans inside your ecosystem.
2. Ringtone Marketplaces/ Websites That Pay for Ringtones
Marketplaces are beginner-friendly because they already have built-in audiences searching for sounds.
- AudioJungle (by Envato Market): Probably the biggest name in the audio assets space. People come here for sound effects, background music, and yes—ringtones. Commission can be steep (50%+), but the volume makes up for it.
- Pond5: Known for stock audio and video. Ringtones sell decently here, especially niche tones like ambient sounds, cinematic effects, or quirky alerts.
- Soundsnap: More focused on sound effects and loops. If you create meme tones, funny noises, or short ambient clips, this platform can work well.
- AudioMicro: Another platform where creators upload sound effects and ringtones. They handle licensing, and you get paid when your work sells.
- Bandcamp: While not a ringtone-specific marketplace, musicians often sell packs of ringtones alongside albums or singles. It works well if you already have music fans.
3. Mobile Platforms & App Stores
This is where things get interesting. Selling through app ecosystems puts your tones directly in front of smartphone users.
- iTunes Store (Apple Tones): Apple lets independent creators sell ringtones on iTunes through the iTunes Connect program. You’ll need to go through Apple’s guidelines, but once you’re in, you have access to millions of iPhone users.
- Google Play Store (Android): Selling directly on Google Play requires publishing an app that contains your ringtones. Some creators bundle their tones into a free/paid app with in-app purchases.
- Zedge: Zedge is one of the biggest ringtone and wallpaper apps out there. It has its own “Creator Program” where you can upload tones and earn when users download or purchase them. Many indie creators swear by Zedge because it gives direct access to millions of smartphone users.
4. Digital Product Sites (Fast & Simple)
If you don’t want to mess with apps or complex marketplaces, you can use general digital product platforms.
- Etsy: Surprisingly, Etsy isn’t just for handmade jewelry and crafts. Digital creators sell ringtone packs here as downloadable files. With good SEO titles like “Funny iPhone Ringtone Pack” or “Cute Cat Sounds Bundle,” you can get traction.
- Gumroad: Upload your ringtones as digital downloads, set your own price, and Gumroad handles payment and delivery. Very straightforward.
- Payhip / Sellfy: Similar to Gumroad—great for indie creators who want a clean storefront for digital products.
✅ Pro Tip: Start with marketplaces (Zedge, AudioJungle, Pond5) to get traction, while slowly building your own website or Gumroad store. That way, you enjoy the best of both worlds—built-in traffic now, and brand ownership long-term.
Pricing Your Ringtones
Most people won’t pay $20 for a ringtone. Let’s be real.
- Marketplaces: $1–$3 is standard.
- Your Own Website: You can experiment more—$5 for a unique ringtone isn’t crazy.
- Bundles: Selling packs of 10 for $9.99 is a great way to raise order value.
- Subscriptions: Once you’ve got 100+ tones, think about a $5/month “all access” model.
Marketing Your Ringtone Store
This is where the magic (and money) happens. Don’t just upload and pray.
- SEO: Use descriptive titles. “Funny Cat Meow Ringtone” will always beat “Ringtone 23.”
- TikTok & Instagram Reels: Show your ringtones in action. A funny clip of someone answering the phone with your sound = instant shareability.
- YouTube Shorts: Quick previews work well, especially if you link to your store.
- Reddit/Forums: Share selectively in communities like r/WeirdSounds or niche anime/gaming forums.
- Pinterest: Yep, people search for “free ringtone” on Pinterest. Pin covers with links.
- Email List: Offer a freebie ringtone in exchange for emails. Those subscribers are gold when you release new packs.
Scaling Up (After Your First Sale)
- Double down on what sells. If your “funny cat meow” ringtone goes viral, guess what? Make a whole animal pack.
- Listen to feedback. Sometimes, customers will literally tell you what they want.
- Upload regularly. Treat it like a content schedule—5 new ringtones a week, for instance.
- Consider custom ringtones. People will happily pay $20–$50 for a personalized sound (think weddings, birthdays, inside jokes).
Read: Ways to Make Money as a Musician
Conclusion: Your First Sale Awaits
The ringtone business isn’t glamorous, and it won’t replace your full-time job overnight. But it’s one of those quirky digital hustles that can quietly add up.
- The process is straightforward:
- Make legal, original sounds.
- Upload to the right platforms.
- Market creatively.
- Scale your catalog.
Your first ringtone sale might be just a couple of bucks, but it’s proof of concept. And the best part? That little 20-second sound can keep making you money long after you’ve moved on to your next project.
So if you’ve been waiting for a sign to start—this is it. Go make some noise (literally).
FAQs
Is selling ringtones still profitable?
Yes. While the early 2000s craze has faded, the demand for unique, personalized ringtones never disappeared. With niche markets and global platforms, creators can still earn steady passive income by selling ringtones online.
Do I need a music background to make money selling ringtones?
Not at all. While musicians and producers have an advantage, anyone with basic audio editing skills can create simple, catchy tones. Meme sounds, nature effects, and motivational clips sell just as well as musical loops.
Can I use copyrighted songs as ringtones?
No. Using copyrighted material without permission can get you banned or even sued. Stick to original sounds, royalty-free libraries with commercial rights, or public domain music.
How much money can I realistically make selling ringtones?
It depends on your catalog size and marketing. Some creators earn a few hundred dollars a month, while those with larger collections and strong branding can generate four figures consistently.
Where’s the best place to sell ringtones?
Beginners often start with marketplaces like AudioJungle or Pond5 because they already have traffic. As you grow, setting up your own website allows you to keep more profits and build a brand.
How long should a ringtone be?
The sweet spot is 15–30 seconds. Keep it short, catchy, and loud enough without distortion.
Can I sell custom ringtones?
Yes, and it’s a great upsell strategy. Many customers are willing to pay $20–$50 for personalized tones for birthdays, weddings, or inside jokes.
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.