Want a song of your own, but have no studio, no band and no time to learn an instrument?
A few years ago that was the end of the story. Today an AI song generator writes and sings a complete track in minutes, with verses, a chorus and your own words.
The tools differ far more than their adverts suggest, though. Some are creative workstations on a monthly plan, some sell a single finished song, and some only make instrumental music.
We tested the best AI song generators available in the UK and looked at price, free tier, vocals and usage rights. Here is which one suits which job.
Key takeaways
- Suno is the most versatile AI song generator for anyone who creates music regularly and likes to write their own lyrics.
- For private users who want a song for a birthday, wedding or anniversary, SongGifts is the best choice: One payment of £24.99, no subscription, no lyrics to write.
- For background music without vocals, Soundraw is the cheapest option.
Which AI song generator is the best?
There is no single best AI song generator. It depends on whether you make music as a hobby or need one special song for a particular occasion.
For musicians and heavy users, Suno leads the field. For a personal song without a subscription we recommend SongGifts, and if you only need music without vocals, Soundraw costs the least.
Subscription or one-off payment?
Most AI song makers charge a monthly subscription between $6 and $30. For a single song that is a detour: You sign up, learn the tool, write the lyrics yourself and then have to remember to cancel.
A one-off price pays off as long as you only need a few songs a year. If you create something new every week, a subscription is the better deal.
AI Song Generator Comparison 2026
| AI song generator | Vocals | Price | Subscription | Free tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suno | yes | from $10 a month | yes | 50 credits a day, personal use only | Hobby musicians, heavy users |
| SongGifts | yes | £24.99 per song | no | Lyrics and 45-second preview | Personalised songs for occasions |
| Udio | yes | from $10 a month | yes | 10 credits a day | Long tracks, licensed catalogue |
| ElevenLabs Music | yes | from $6 a month | yes | About 11 minutes a month | Podcasts, video creators |
| Boomy | yes | from $9.99 a month | yes | 25 saved songs, no MP3 | Releasing on Spotify |
| Soundraw | no | from $5.99 a month | yes | Unlimited, watermarked downloads | Background music |
The best AI song generators reviewed
Suno: Best AI song generator for heavy users
Suno made the AI song generator famous and is still the benchmark every other tool is measured against. Give it a style and lyrics, or just a short idea, and it returns two finished songs with vocals.
Its strength is range. Pop, rock, folk, grime or a children’s song: Suno handles most genres convincingly, and musicians can upload their own recordings and let Suno extend them.
If you only need one song as a gift, you will hit its limits quickly. Lyrics, rhymes and the style prompt are your job, and getting names and the chorus right often takes several attempts.
- Price: Pro plan $10 a month ($8 on an annual plan), Premier $30.
- Free: 50 credits a day, personal use only.
- Rights: Commercial use from the Pro plan.
- Best for: Hobby musicians and anyone who likes to experiment.
SongGifts: Best AI song generator for private users, best for occasions and no subscription
For private users, SongGifts is the best AI song generator in our test, the best for occasions and the best without a subscription. Instead of an empty prompt box, it asks about the person, the occasion and your memories, then writes the lyrics.
Lyrics and the first 45 seconds are free, no account needed. The finished MP3 arrives within five to ten minutes, for around 30 occasions.
- Price: £24.99 per song, no subscription.
- Rights: Personal and commercial use.
- Best for: Anyone who wants to give a personalised song.
Udio: Best for long tracks and licensed music
Udio is Suno’s closest rival and sounds just as good in many genres. Tracks of up to 15 minutes are possible.
The bigger difference is legal. After a lawsuit, Udio settled with Universal Music in 2026 and signed licensing deals with Warner and Kobalt, which is still rare among AI music generators.
The free tier is tight, though. After ten credits a day you are done.
- Price: $10 a month ($8 on an annual plan).
- Free: 10 credits a day, 100 a month at most.
- Rights: Commercial use from the Standard plan.
- Best for: Ambitious hobby musicians who care about licensing.
ElevenLabs Music: Best for creators
ElevenLabs is best known for AI voices. Since 2025 it also generates songs with vocals, and it has agreements with Merlin, Kobalt and, since September 2026, Universal Music.
That makes it handy if you need a voice-over, a jingle and a soundtrack from one place. As a pure song maker for a single gift, it offers more than you need, and the free minutes run out fast.
- Price: From $6 a month.
- Free: About eleven minutes of music a month, personal use only.
- Rights: Commercial use from the Starter plan.
- Best for: Podcasters and video creators.
Boomy: Best for releasing your songs
Boomy starts at the end: Your tracks are meant to land on Spotify, Apple Music and other platforms. Boomy handles distribution itself and keeps a share of the royalties.
Songs are made without any musical knowledge, but they sound simpler than Suno or Udio. Full rights only come with the $29.99 plan and only while you keep paying.
- Price: From $9.99 a month.
- Free: 25 saved songs, no MP3 download.
- Rights: Only on the Pro plan and only while it runs.
- Best for: Anyone who wants to publish their own tracks.
Soundraw: Best for background music without vocals
Soundraw only makes instrumental music, which you shape by mood, tempo and length. For a photo slideshow, a wedding video or a YouTube intro, that is often all you need.
Generating and previewing is unlimited. Free downloads carry a watermark, and there are no vocals at all, so it is not a song maker in the classic sense. Think of it as a companion to a song rather than a replacement.
- Price: From $5.99 a month.
- Free: Unlimited generating, watermarked downloads.
- Rights: From the Creator plan, permanently for everything made while subscribed.
- Best for: Videos, slideshows and presentations.
Is there a free AI song generator?
Yes, with limits. Suno, Udio, ElevenLabs and Soundraw all have free tiers, but they need an account and usually allow personal use only.
Downloads are often missing or watermarked. With SongGifts, the lyrics and a 45-second preview are free, and you only pay for the finished song.
Always work out the yearly cost of a subscription: $10 a month is $120 a year if you forget to cancel. For one or two songs a year, a one-off price is cheaper.
How to make a song with an AI song maker
- Decide on the purpose: A song for yourself, a gift or music for a video? That decides the tool and the plan.
- Collect the details: Names, nicknames, shared moments or the topic. The more specific, the less generic the result.
- Choose a style: Pop, acoustic, rock or a children’s song. Add tempo and mood, such as upbeat, romantic or calm.
- Generate and listen closely: Check that names are pronounced correctly and the chorus lands. Most tools let you generate several versions.
- Download and check the rights: Get a proper MP3 and make sure your plan covers what you plan to do with it.
Want to sing it yourself?
Very few AI song generators sing with your own voice. The simple workaround: Let the AI create the backing track and record your vocals over it.
You do not need much for that. A decent audio interface, a good vocal mic and closed headphones are enough to start. Our guide to the best home recording interfaces shows which ones are worth it.
If you would rather play melodies in yourself, have a look at our picks for the best MIDI keyboards and studio monitors.
What to look for in an AI song generator
- Pronunciation: Names are the most common source of errors. Always test with your real lyrics.
- Usage rights: Free tiers almost always mean personal use only. For YouTube, Instagram or advertising you need more.
- Real cost per year: A $10 subscription costs $120 a year if you forget to cancel.
- File format: For a party or a video you need a proper audio file, ideally a high-quality MP3.
Is it legal to use an AI song generator in the UK?
Yes. Making a song with an AI song generator is legal in the UK, and it has become part of mainstream music. The BBC policy on the use of AI in music from July 2026 notes that generative AI can now create complete songs with lyrics in seconds, and that some of this music has already gained millions of streams.
The rules around it are moving, though. In its Report on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence from March 2026, the government proposes to remove the special protection for computer-generated works under section 9(3) of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act. It found minimal evidence that this protection is actually used.
Labelling is the other open question. According to UK Music, there is currently no requirement in UK law to label AI-generated content, and over 90% of consultation respondents agreed that developers should disclose their training sources.
Good to know: For a song you give as a present or play at a party, the licence of your provider is what counts. Read it before you upload a track to Spotify or use it in a paid advert, because free plans often exclude commercial use.
AI song generator FAQ
What is the best free AI song generator?
Suno has the most generous free tier with 50 credits a day, but for personal use only. If you just want to hear whether a personalised song works before paying, SongGifts gives you the lyrics and a 45-second preview for free.
Which AI song generator is easiest for beginners?
Tools that guide you with questions instead of an empty prompt box need the least know-how. For personal songs that is SongGifts, for tracks you want to release it is Boomy.
Can I give an AI-generated song as a gift?
Yes. Sharing privately and playing it at a party is allowed with every provider. You only need a plan with commercial rights if you publish the song or use it for business.
How long does an AI song generator take?
Generation itself takes seconds to a few minutes. Most of the time goes into lyrics and style. With SongGifts the finished song arrives within five to ten minutes, without you writing a line.
Can I put an AI song on Spotify?
Yes, with a plan that allows commercial use and via a distributor. Boomy does this directly, with Suno and Udio you need your own distributor.
Verdict: The best AI song generator depends on the occasion
If you make music regularly and like writing lyrics, Suno or Udio will serve you best. Creators get the most from ElevenLabs, and Soundraw is the pick for music without vocals.
If the song is meant as a gift, SongGifts is the best AI song generator for private users: No subscription, no lyrics to write, and a free preview first. And if you would rather sing it yourself, you will find the right gear here, from microphones to synthesizers.
