
Suno writes and produces a complete song from a short text prompt, with vocals, instruments, lyrics and arrangement. Version 5.5 sings with real feeling in pretty much any genre, whether that's indie folk, hip-hop or orchestral. The Pro plan is $8 a month and includes full commercial rights, which makes it the cheapest way to get from "I need a track" to a song you're allowed to use. The lawsuit from Universal and Sony keeps Suno in the news, so check where that stands before you build a business on it. The product keeps getting better, and its vocals are the best of any AI music tool right now. Udio gives you finer control over the instruments. The free plan gives you 50 credits, enough to hear whether the quality is good enough for you, and Custom Models let you train it on your own style.
Suno is the AI tool people actually show their friends. The songs are enjoyable to listen to, not just impressive for AI. Version 5.5's vocals are why. The voices sound performed rather than synthesized, with feeling that fits the genre.
The controversy is real. The lawsuits from Universal and Sony raise fair questions about the music it was trained on. If that bothers you, it's a good reason to wait. If you need a track for a presentation, an ad, a course or a personal project, Suno at $8 a month is cheaper than a stock music library and gives you something made to order.
Best for small businesses that need ad music, creators adding original tracks and teachers making classroom material. If you need fine control over the instruments, Udio is better. If the legal uncertainty is a dealbreaker for how you'll use the music, steer clear.