Tips & Tricks

From Suno to Udio: Top 10 AI Music Generators You Need to Try in 2026

12 min read . Feb 17, 2026
Written by Davis Hopkins Edited by Kolton Carr Reviewed by Moises Bird

AI music generators have evolved from fun experiments into serious creative tools that can write full songs, cinematic scores, or endless background tracks from a simple prompt. Whether you are a YouTuber, game dev, indie artist, or marketer, the right tool can give you fast, on‑brand music without a studio budget.

What AI Music Generators Do

AI music tools use machine learning models trained on large audio datasets to turn text prompts, MIDI, or reference audio into new tracks, stems, and sometimes vocals. Many now include licensing frameworks, so you can safely use the generated audio in commercial projects, ads, and apps.

They typically fall into three buckets:

● Full song generators (lyrics + vocals + instruments)

● Background/stock music generators for videos and apps

● Composer or producer assistants (MIDI tools, DAW plugins, stem tools)

Top 10 Best AI Tools for Music Generation (2026)

1. Suno – Best for Full AI Songs with Vocals 

Suno is one of the most popular AI music generators for creating complete tracks with lyrics, vocals, and backing instruments from a single prompt. It supports many genres and offers a strong editor plus stem exports on paid tiers, making it useful for both hobbyists and serious producers.

Key features

● Text‑to‑music with detailed prompts

● Realistic multi‑language vocals

● Support for 50+ genres and styles

● Up to 4‑minute tracks on paid tiers

● Stem export (vocals, drums, bass, other) for DAW work

● Web‑based interface with fast generation

Pros

● Strong “radio‑ready” sound and vocal realism

● Great for quick, structured song ideas

● Stems make it easy to mix and remix in a DAW

● Clear credit‑based pricing and plan tiers

Cons

● Free tier is limited in length and generations

● Commercial rights depend on plan and licensing terms

● Popularity means some outputs can feel stylistically similar

Pricing (typical ranges)

● Free: limited generations, shorter clips

● Creator: around 20–25 USD/month equivalent, more full‑length songs, basic commercial rights

● Pro: higher or unlimited generations, faster queues, extended rights

Best for: Creators who want fast, vocal‑driven songs for TikTok, YouTube, or demos, plus producers who like to export stems and refine in a DAW.

2. Udio – Best for High‑Quality Song Production and Refinement 

Udio focuses on studio‑quality songs with strong arrangements and detailed refinement options, often praised for its sound quality and editing depth. It is a good choice if you care more about polish and iteration than raw speed.

Key features

● Full‑length songs with vocals and lyrics

● High‑quality mixing and mastering by default

● Strong editor for extending, regenerating, and refining sections

● Credit‑based generation with generous limits on paid tiers

● Support for multiple genres and moods

Pros

● Very polished audio quality out of the box

● Great for iterating on one idea until it feels “finished”

● Better value on some monthly plans for regular creators

● Favored by users who care about detail and subtlety

Cons

● Interface and workflow can feel slower if you just want quick ideas

● Export rules and credit limits can change as the product evolves

● Some plans have restrictions on downloads/exports at times

Pricing (typical ranges)

● Free tier with limited songs and shorter clips

● Standard: roughly 8–10 USD/month (annual) with a few thousand credits

● Pro: around 30 USD/month with higher limits and more concurrency

Best for: Artists and producers who want maximum audio quality and deeper control over each song rather than one‑click output.

3. ElevenLabs – Eleven Music (Best for Legally‑Cleared Commercial Tracks) 

ElevenLabs, known for its voice tech, launched Eleven Music as a prompt‑based music generator explicitly positioned as “cleared for broad commercial use.” It combines AI composition with licensing deals that cover many rights holders, reducing legal uncertainty for brands and enterprises.

Key features

● Text‑to‑music with or without vocals

● Multilingual vocals and genre‑flexible tracks

● Licensing framework via deals with Merlin and Kobalt

● Integrated with ElevenLabs’ broader audio suite (voices, dubbing, sound effects)

● API access and business tiers for product integration

Pros

● Strong focus on commercial safety and rights

● Works well for marketing, ads, and branded content

● One ecosystem for music, voices, and sound effects

● Clear upgrade path from creator to business use

Cons

● Pricing and limits are credit‑based, so heavy use can get expensive

● Tuned more for commercial content than experimental artistry

● Still newer than Suno/Udio in pure music community buzz

Pricing (creator tiers)​

● Free: 0 USD/month, limited credits for testing (music included)

● Starter: 5 USD/month with commercial license and more credits

● Creator: 11 USD/month (promo pricing) with higher quality and 100k credits

● Pro: 99 USD/month with 500k credits and pro audio specs

Best for: Marketing teams, agencies, and SaaS products that need commercially safe music tightly integrated with AI voices and dubbing.

4. Mubert – Best for Infinite Royalty‑Free Background Music 

Mubert is built for creators who need endless, royalty‑free background tracks for streams, videos, apps, and products. It generates music across many moods and genres and includes clear licensing for commercial use.​

Key features​

● Endless generative music streams and tracks

● Dozens of genres: lo‑fi, ambient, techno, cinematic, etc.

● Creator tools and APIs for apps and games

● Royalty‑free usage for covered scenarios

● Preset soundscapes and playlists

Pros​

● Very fast background music creation

● Good licensing clarity for creators and brands

● Easy to match mood and tempo to content

● API makes it useful in products and platforms

Cons​

● Less suited for “songs with vocals” and lyrics

● Tracks can feel generic if you need unique “artist” identity

● Deep customization is more limited than full DAW workflows

Pricing (typical)​

● Free plan with basic use

● Creator and Pro tiers (around 30–40 USD/month range) for extended commercial licensing

Best for: YouTubers, Twitch streamers, apps, and SaaS products needing safe, always‑on background music.​

5. Soundraw – Best for Customizable AI Background Tracks 

Soundraw lets you generate tracks by choosing mood, genre, length, and instruments, then gives you detailed control to edit structure and sections inside the browser. It strikes a balance between automation and manual editing.

Key features

● Attribute‑based generation (mood, genre, theme, tempo, instruments)

● Browser‑based timeline editor for each section

● Unlimited generation on paid plans

● Royalty‑free licensing for most online use

● Exports in multiple formats

Pros

● High control over song structure compared with “one‑click” tools

● Great for fitting music precisely to videos or ads

● Simple UI suitable for non‑musicians

● Stable pricing with clear subscription

Cons

● No full vocal/lyric generation like Suno or Udio

● Sounds can feel stock‑music‑like if not edited

● Best results require time spent tweaking sections

Pricing​

● Around 19.99 USD/month or ~204 USD/year for full access to creation and downloads

Best for: Video editors, marketers, and agencies that need tight control over cue length and song structure for content.

6. AIVA – Best for Cinematic and Orchestral Scores 

AIVA (Artificial Intelligence Virtual Artist) is oriented toward composing classical, orchestral, and cinematic music. It’s often used for film scoring, trailers, and games where thematic, instrumental music is more important than pop vocals.

Key features

● Styles tuned for classical, cinematic, and ambient genres

● Score customization and arrangement tools

● MIDI and audio export for DAWs and notation software

● Licensing tiers for commercial work

● Project templates for common use cases (games, trailers, etc.)

Pros

● Strong at orchestral textures and evolving scores

● Useful for film/game composers as an idea generator

● MIDI export makes it easy to swap virtual instruments later

● Long‑form structure feels more “composed” than loop‑based

Cons

● Not focused on pop/EDM with modern vocals

● Learning curve if you’re not used to composer workflows

● Top‑tier plans are priced for professionals

Pricing (typical tiers)​

● Free or trial with limited exports

● Individual/Pro plans (monthly/annual) for higher resolution and commercial licensing

Best for: Film and game composers, trailer houses, and creators who need orchestral or cinematic tracks rather than vocal songs.​

7. Beatoven.ai – Best for Mood‑Based Video and Podcast Music 

Beatoven.ai is built for content creators who need mood‑matched background music for videos and podcasts, with per‑track licensing. You upload or outline your content, pick moods and genres per segment, and the tool generates tracks accordingly.​

Key features​

● Mood‑based generation for different video sections

● Focus on YouTube, podcasts, and ads

● Royalty‑free usage with per‑track purchases or subscriptions

● Simple web UI aimed at non‑musicians

● Region and genre customization

Pros​

● Very accessible to marketers and editors

● Good fit for narrative content needing emotion changes

● Clear pricing on a per‑track or subscription model

● No need for DAW skills

Cons​

● Less suited for artist‑style releases or albums

● Limited advanced control compared with DAW‑integrated tools

● Vocals support is limited compared with Suno/Udio

Pricing​

● Mix of free previews, per‑track licensing, and subscription options (exact figures vary by plan)

Best for: YouTubers, podcasters, and social media teams who want mood‑matched background beds with simple licensing.​

8. Boomy – Best for Absolute Beginners Making Songs 

Boomy is designed for beginners who want to make and release songs quickly with minimal input. You choose a style, click generate, and then tweak or publish to streaming services if you wish.​

Key features​

● Template‑based, one‑click song generation

● Simple editing and arrangement tools

● Distribution options to music platforms

● Community and social discovery features

● Multiple genres for quick experimentation

Pros​

● Extremely easy for non‑musicians

● Fast path from idea to finished track

● Built‑in pathway to release music online

● Fun for experimentation and learning

Cons​

● Limited fine‑grained control over production

● Output can feel generic for serious artists

● Licensing terms and revenue share need careful reading

Pricing​

● Free tier plus paid subscriptions for expanded features and distribution

Best for: Beginners and hobbyists who want to experiment with releasing AI‑assisted music without learning production software.​

9. Splash Pro – Best for Social‑First Text‑to‑Vocals 

Splash Pro focuses on social creators who want AI vocals and catchy loops for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and short‑form content. It combines text‑to‑music, text‑to‑vocals, and simple editing.​

Key features​

● AI vocals and lyrics generation

● Short‑form, social‑friendly song structures

● In‑app editing and performance tweaking

● Library of styles geared to mainstream social sounds

● Mobile‑friendly workflows

Pros​

● Tailored to TikTok/Shorts style content

● Easy to make hooks, drops, and short songs

● Good for non‑musician creators and influencers

● Low friction workflow

Cons​

● Not ideal for long‑form albums or complex production

● Limited deep mixing and mastering options

● Licensing must be checked per platform and plan

Pricing​

● Free tier plus paid upgrades (social‑creator pricing model)

Best for: Short‑form video creators who want quick, catchy vocal tracks tailored to social platforms.​

10. Loudly – Best for Stock‑Style AI Music Libraries 

Loudly offers AI‑generated tracks with a stock‑music feel, emphasizing ready‑to‑use, royalty‑free catalogs for brands and creators. It’s strong when you need a lot of safe, cohesive tracks for campaigns or platforms.​

Key features​

● AI‑generated tracks across many genres

● Large searchable library with filters

● Royalty‑free licensing for common use cases

● Batch downloads and playlist creation

● Business plans for teams and platforms

Pros​

● Efficient for bulk background music needs

● Easy filter‑based discovery by mood and genre

● Clear licensing for covered uses

● Good complement to video editing workflows

Cons​

● Less individual “artist identity” per track

● Limited control over internal composition vs tools like Soundraw

● Vocals options are more limited than Suno/Udio

Pricing​

● Creator and business plans with monthly/annual options (price varies by license scope)

Best for: Brands, agencies, and platforms that need lots of safe, on‑brand tracks without deep customization.​

How to Choose the Right AI Music Tool

Choosing the right AI music generator comes down to matching the tool’s strengths with your use case, budget, and workflow.

1. Define your main goal

● Full songs with vocals (Suno, Udio, Splash Pro, Boomy).

● Background beds for video/podcasts (Mubert, Beatoven, Soundraw, Loudly).

● Scores and orchestral cues (AIVA).​

● Commercial‑safe branded music plus voices (ElevenLabs).

2. Check licensing and risk profile

● If you’re running a brand, agency, or SaaS product, prioritize tools with explicit commercial use language and clear partner deals (e.g., ElevenLabs, Mubert, Loudly, some Suno/Udio tiers).

● For hobby work or demos, free tiers on Suno, Udio, Boomy may be enough.

3. Consider control vs speed

● Need maximum control over structure and stems? Look at Suno (stems), Udio (refinement), AIVA (MIDI), Soundraw (section editing).

● Need “set and forget” background music? Mubert, Beatoven, Loudly optimize for speed over micro‑control.

4. Match pricing to output volume

● Heavy daily use (agencies, big channels) benefits from mid‑to‑high subscriptions on Suno, Udio, Mubert, Loudly.

● Occasional creators can stay on free or entry plans and mix tools (e.g., Suno free + Soundraw monthly while editing a campaign).

5. Think about your workflow stack

● DAW‑centric producers: prioritize tools with stems/MIDI exports (Suno, Udio, AIVA, Soundraw).

● No‑DAW content creators: pick browser‑first tools with simple editors (Beatoven, Mubert, Boomy, Splash Pro, ElevenLabs Studio).

Final Verdict

If you want stunning, radio‑style songs with vocals, Suno and Udio remain the headline choices, with Suno better for speed and stems and Udio better for polish and iterative refinement. For background scores and content‑safe music at scale, combining Mubert or Beatoven (beds) with AIVA or Soundraw (scores and tailored cues) covers most creator and studio workflows.

For marketers and product teams who care most about legal safety and integrated voices, ElevenLabs’ Eleven Music is emerging as a strategic pick, while Boomy, Splash Pro, and Loudly round out the field for beginners, social creators, and agencies that need bulk, on‑brand tracks.

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