Music generation
AI music generators turn a text/style prompt into a full song with vocals. In 2026 the consumer leaders are Suno and Udio, with Riffusion (API-first), AIVA (instrumental/film) and ElevenLabs (voice-led) as strong alternatives. The single most important detail: free tiers do NOT grant commercial rights — you need a paid plan (cheapest path ~$10/mo) to release and monetise, and upgrading later doesn't retroactively license tracks you made on the free tier.
The steps
- 1Generate several variations from your style prompt; keep the best 2–3 sections, not just whole songs.
- 2Use custom/lyrics mode for control over structure and the hook.
- 3Regenerate weak sections (intros, transitions) rather than re-rolling the whole track.
- 4Confirm you're on a plan that grants commercial rights BEFORE you release.
- 5Download stems/audio at the highest quality available for mixing and mastering later.
Suno/Udio/etc. are the core tool. Treat generation as recording: comp the best parts, regenerate the weak ones, keep your prompt log.
This is where indie artists record/track in a DAW with mics and instruments instead — see the next stage.
Hybrid is common and powerful: generate a base with AI, then arrange, re-sing or re-play parts in a DAW.
Tools compared
| Feature | Suno | Udio | Riffusion | AIVA | ElevenLabs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Yes (no commercial) | Yes (no commercial) | ✓ | Yes (limited) | Yes (limited) |
| Commercial rights | $10+/mo | $10+/mo | Check terms | Pro plan | Paid |
| Full songs + vocals | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Instrumental | Voice-led |
| Vocal control / quality | Strong | Strong | Good | — | Best voices |
| Best for | All-round | Vocal/instrumental detail | Devs / API | Film / instrumental | AI vocals / TTS |
| Licensing clarity | Standard | UMG deal (2026) | API terms | Royalty-free tiers | Standard |
Verified June 2026. Pricing & features change — check each vendor's own page for the latest. "—" = not a standard feature to our knowledge.
Sources: Suno commercial rights (free vs Pro) · Best AI music generators 2026 (SoundGuys) · Suno vs Udio vs Riffusion 2026
Suno and Udio lead for finished vocal songs; whichever you pick, get on a commercial-rights plan before you release — the free tier is for experimenting only.
FAQ
Can I sell music made with the free plan?
Generally no. On Suno and Udio, commercial rights come with paid plans, and upgrading later does not retroactively license free-tier songs. Generate keepers on a paid plan.
Which is the cheapest way to release legally?
Suno Pro or Udio Standard at about $10/month both grant commercial rights as of 2026 — always re-check the current terms before releasing.