Overview
Soundly is a sound effects library and search app for filmmakers, sound designers, and editors. It combines a cloud sound library with local file indexing and a search engine that uses auto-complete, thesaurus matching, and curated collections to narrow down a sound by description.
The free tier covers the Soundly Free Cloud Library, 10,000 local files, 10GB of cloud storage, 25 Voice Designer renders, and shop add-ons. The Pro tier adds 250,000+ sounds at 24-bit/96kHz, unlimited downloads, unlimited local files, and unlimited Voice Designer renders.
Soundly drags and drops into any editor and has direct integrations with Pro Tools, Logic, Premiere, Nuendo, Cubase, Reaper, After Effects, and Wwise. Other features include Search Tabs, Voice Designer, Place it for environment simulation, Shape it for EQ, metadata editing with UCS support, and an offline mode.
Soundly is featured in our comparison Best Audio & Sound Effects Plugins for DaVinci Resolve (2026).
Stop buying plugins. Build your own.
Every plugin you buy solves someone else's problem. Through The Forge skill packs, you can teach Claude Code to write, test, and install custom DaVinci Resolve tools in plain English. Save money, learn the workflow, and own your tools forever.
Pros
- Massive cloud library with 250,000+ Pro sounds at 24-bit/96kHz
- Powerful AI search with auto-complete, thesauruses, and related searches
- Indexes and organizes local libraries of any size
- Drag-and-drop into any editor including DaVinci Resolve
- Cloud storage with Dropbox, Google Drive, and S3 support
- Shared network databases for team collaboration
- Voice Designer for simulating announcements and dialogue
- Offline mode with Cloud Bridge for secure environments
Cons
- Pro tier requires a monthly or yearly subscription (no perpetual license)
- No native Linux support (macOS and Windows only)
- Not a plugin inside Resolve — runs as a standalone app with drag-and-drop
Verdict
Soundly's search is fast and the free tier's 10,000 local files plus cloud library covers a lot of ground before you'd need to pay. It's worth knowing going in that it's a standalone app you drag sounds out of, not a plugin inside Resolve, and Pro is subscription-only with no perpetual option.
Reviewed by JérémyRelated DaVinci Resolve Plugins from the Store
