Best AI music generators in 2026
There's no single best AI music generator; there's the right one for the job. This list is sorted by what each tool is best at, with the rights and download details that matter if you want to release the result.
Updated 4 October 2026
At a glance
- 1 Suno Full songs with vocals and lyrics Check prices →
- 2 ElevenLabs Music Commercially cleared tracks Check prices →
- 3 AIVA Orchestral and cinematic music Check prices →
- 4 Soundraw Background music for videos Check prices →
- 5 Stable Audio Instrumentals, loops and sound design Check prices →
- 6 Udio Experimenting, not releasing (for now) Check prices →
How we picked: We compared the tools on output quality for their main use, whether you can use the result commercially, whether you can download and release it, and how clear their licensing is. Textlino doesn't make music and isn't on this list. Prices change often, so check each site. Facts checked 4 October 2026.
Swipe the table sideways to compare all 6 →
| Compare | 1 Suno | 2 ElevenLabs Music | 3 AIVA | 4 Soundraw | 5 Stable Audio | 6 Udio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Full songs | Licensed tracks | Orchestral, cinematic | Video background | Loops, sound design | Experimenting |
| Vocals and lyrics | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Free plan to try | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Check site | ✓ |
| Commercial use | Paid plans | Paid plans | Pro plan | Paid plans | Check site | No downloads |
| Download your tracks | Paid plans, monthly cap | ✓ | ✓ | Paid plans | ✓ | Disabled since Oct 2025 |
| Output ownership (per their terms) | Assigned to you on paid plans | Check site | Assigned to you on Pro | Check site | Check site | ✕ |
| Licensing or training data | Warner deal | Merlin, Kobalt deals | Check site | In-house music only | Licensed (AudioSparx) | Universal, Warner, Merlin, Kobalt |
| Price | Check prices → | Check prices → | Check prices → | Check prices → | Check prices → | Check prices → |
"Check site" means we couldn't confirm it from the official site on the checked date. Prices aren't listed because they change often.
- 1
Suno
Best for: Full songs with vocals and lyrics
The most complete song generator: vocals, lyrics, structure and a wide range of genres from a text prompt or your own lyrics.
- •Commercial rights only for songs made on a paid plan
- •Its terms don't warrant that copyright exists in AI output
- •Paid plans have a monthly download limit
- •Signed a licensing deal with Warner Music Group and plans licensed models
-
Best for: Commercially cleared tracks
Launched with licensing deals with Merlin and Kobalt, which makes it a safer choice when you need music for commercial projects.
- •Commercial use depends on the plan; check the terms for film, TV and games
- •Good at instrumentals and vocals in many languages
- 3
AIVA
Best for: Orchestral and cinematic music
Composes in classical, cinematic and ambient styles and exports MIDI, so you can rework the arrangement in your own DAW.
- •MIDI export is useful for producers
- •Its terms assign copyright to you only on the Pro plan
- 4
Soundraw
Best for: Background music for videos
Generates instrumental tracks you can shape by mood, length and section, which suits creators who need music under a video.
- •Instrumental only, no vocals or lyrics
- •Built for royalty-free use in content
-
Best for: Instrumentals, loops and sound design
Stability AI's audio model, trained on licensed music from AudioSparx, for instrumental pieces, loops and sound effects.
- •Strong for textures and short pieces
- •Less suited to full songs with vocals
- 6
Udio
Best for: Experimenting, not releasing (for now)
Known for natural-sounding vocals, but downloads of audio and stems have been disabled since October 2025 while a licensed platform with Universal Music is built.
- •You can't currently download tracks to release them
- •Has licensing deals with Universal, Warner, Merlin and Kobalt
After you've made the track
A generated song still needs everything around it: a title, artwork, a caption, a YouTube description and, if you release it, a Spotify pitch. That part decides whether anyone hears it.
- •Check rights and your distributor's AI policy before releasing
- •Label the AI use on each platform
- •Write about your idea and your edits, not just the tool
Write yours in seconds
Finished the song? Describe it in one sentence and Textlino writes a promo post that talks about your idea and your part in it.
Made it with AI? See whether you can release it, and where, with the free AI music release checker.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best AI music generator?
For full songs with vocals, Suno. For commercially cleared tracks, ElevenLabs Music. For orchestral and cinematic music, AIVA. For background music under videos, Soundraw.
Can I use AI-generated music commercially?
Usually only on a paid plan, and the terms differ by tool. Free plans generally don't include commercial rights. Read the licence of the tool you used before releasing or monetising the music.
Can I download songs from Udio?
As of October 2026, no. Udio disabled audio and stem downloads in October 2025 while it builds a licensed platform with Universal Music.
Editorial policy
Textlino isn't paid for placements and the order isn't for sale. Rankings are based on each company's own published policies and documentation; when we can't confirm something, we say so instead of guessing. If we add affiliate links, they don't change the order.