Suno and Udio are the two best-known AI song generators, and until recently they were easy to compare: type a prompt, get a track, download it. That is no longer true. Both companies have changed how their products work following deals with record labels, and the changes affect the thing many buyers care about most: whether you can take your music out of the app.
This article is a framework for comparing the two, plus the dated facts we could verify. We have not run any tests, and music licensing and litigation are moving areas. Nothing here is legal advice. The key change we found is that the premise of a simple “which generator is better” comparison has shifted, because Suno now limits downloads by plan while Udio says downloads of audio, video and stems are disabled.
How we researched this: we did not run hands-on tests for this article. It is based on the vendor’s own documentation and public sources, checked on 11 November 2026. Features and prices change, so confirm details on the vendor’s site before you buy.
Key takeaways
- Suno’s help centre says download limits start on 3 September 2026: Free has 7 lifetime trial downloads for personal non-commercial use, Pro has 20 per month and Premier 60 per month, both with commercial rights.
- Udio’s help centre says downloading audio, video and stems is disabled following its partnership with Universal Music Group, announced 29 October 2025.
- Warner Music Group announced a deal with Suno on 25 November 2025 that settled its lawsuit and planned licensed models in 2026.
- Reports from April 2026 said Sony and Universal remained in litigation with Suno, but we could not confirm the current status.
- Decide whether you need to export and use tracks commercially before choosing either tool.
Why compare these two, and what changed
Both tools generate songs from text prompts, but their business models are now shaped by licensing. Suno has said it will move to licensed models and gate downloads. Udio has moved toward a closed platform. The practical question is no longer only sound quality; it is what you are allowed to do with the output.
Our guide to comparing AI tools side by side fairly explains how to list requirements before comparing. Read AI copyright basics for creators for background.
Quick overview table
| Area | Suno | Udio |
|---|---|---|
| Downloads | Limited by plan from 3 September 2026 (Free 7 lifetime trial, Pro 20 per month, Premier 60 per month) | Downloading audio, video and stems is disabled, per its help centre |
| Streaming and sharing | Unlimited on every plan, per Suno | Within the app; Udio says a new platform is planned |
| Paid plan names | Pro and Premier | Standard and Pro (per help centre) |
| Commercial rights | Pro and Premier downloads carry commercial rights; Free trial downloads do not | Not confirmed on a page we could read |
| Label deals | Warner Music Group settlement and licensing deal, 25 November 2025 | Universal Music Group settlement and partnership, 29 October 2025 |
Criteria that matter
- Export: can you download tracks and stems, and how many?
- Commercial use: which plan carries rights, and for which tracks?
- Model changes: will the model you like be retired?
- Legal context: are the vendor’s licences settled, and what remains in dispute?
- Cost: credits versus downloads.
Suno: documented details
Suno’s help article, dated 10 August 2026, says new Terms of Service take effect in September 2026 and download limits start on 3 September 2026. They apply to all users, including songs created earlier, whose library stays playable and shareable. Free has 7 lifetime trial downloads for personal non-commercial use that do not reset. Pro has 20 downloads per month with commercial rights, and Premier 60 per month with commercial rights. Counts reset on the billing date, unused downloads do not roll over, and extra downloads can be bought. A song counts as one download in any format, and stems are part of that song’s download. Annual plan holders who had unlimited downloads can cancel at suno.com/account.
On models, Suno says retiring a model only stops new songs from being generated with it, and existing songs can still be used for extensions, remixes and covers, which run on newer models and may sound different. The article does not name the models being retired or give dates. Suno’s plans article says Pro adds access to the best models, Voices, Custom Models, stem separation and advanced editing, and Premier adds more credits and downloads plus Suno Studio. Prices were not on that page.
Udio: documented details
Udio’s help article on the Universal Music Group partnership, dated 17 February 2026, says downloading audio, video and stems is disabled. It also says all subscribers received a one-time grant of 1,000 non-expiring credits, the Standard plan’s monthly credit limit rose from 1,200 to 2,400, and the Pro plan’s rose from 4,800 to 6,000, with Pro able to create 5 sets (10 songs) at once. The article gives no effective dates.
A news report on the settlement said Udio disabled downloads immediately, that users reacted angrily on its forum, and that a subscription platform was planned for the following year as a “walled garden” where songs stay within the service. We could not read Udio’s pricing page text, so we do not quote prices.
Licensing and legal context
This section is general information, not legal advice. The Music Business Worldwide report says Warner Music Group and Suno announced on 25 November 2025 that they settled and would build licensed models, with Suno planning to launch new licensed models in 2026 and retire current ones, artists able to opt in on use of their names, voices and compositions, and downloads requiring a paid account with monthly caps. Suno also acquired Songkick from Warner.
A summary page dated by its author to April 2026 reported that Universal and Sony remained in litigation with Suno and that Sony had not settled with Udio. That page was marked as AI-generated and contained inconsistencies, so we treat it as indicative only. We did not find a newer source, and case status may have changed. Check current news before relying on any of this.
Pricing models compared
| Item | Suno | Udio |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Plan with monthly credits and a monthly download allowance | Plan with monthly credits; no downloads |
| Extras | Extra downloads can be bought | One-time credit grant (documented) |
| Price figures | Not on pages we read; see suno.com/pricing | Not on pages we read; see udio.com/pricing |
See how to read an AI tool’s pricing page for how to compare credits and allowances.
Privacy, data and terms
Suno has new Terms of Service from September 2026 that we did not read in detail. Read the current terms of both services before uploading voices or lyrics, and see how to protect company data when using AI tools if you work for a client.
Who each suits, based on documentation
- Suno may suit people who need to download tracks and need commercial rights, if the monthly caps are enough.
- Udio may suit people who want to create and listen inside the app and do not need files, according to the help centre.
- Look elsewhere if you need unlimited exports or certainty about future licensing; both are in transition.
How to run your own test
Follow how to test an AI tool before you pay for it. Write one brief, generate a handful of tracks on each, try to export, and note limits on download and commercial rights. Keep screenshots of the terms you accepted on the day.
Decision checklist
- Do I need files, or only in-app listening?
- How many downloads will I need each month?
- Which plan gives the commercial rights I need?
- Have I read the current terms and recent news?
Strengths, limits and cautions
Documented strengths
Suno’s help centre gives clear, specific download numbers and says streaming and sharing stay unlimited on every plan, which makes planning easier. It also says paying subscribers who download a song keep commercial rights to it. Udio’s help centre documents credit increases for subscribers after its partnership, including a one-time grant of 1,000 non-expiring credits.
Limits and cautions
Suno’s limits mean heavy users may hit the monthly cap, and the free tier’s 7 trial downloads are for personal non-commercial use only. Suno’s models are due to be retired, and extended or remixed songs run on newer models, so results may differ. Udio’s disabling of downloads upset users, according to one report, and a platform where songs stay inside the service is a different product from an exporter. Both tools sit inside licensing arrangements that are still developing, so terms could change again.
Who should be careful
Anyone planning to release music commercially should read the terms in force on the day of creation, keep records, and consider professional advice. This article is general information only.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still download from Udio?
Udio’s help centre says downloading audio, video and stems is disabled. Check its site for any change.
How many downloads does Suno allow?
From 3 September 2026, Suno says Free has 7 lifetime trial downloads, Pro 20 per month and Premier 60 per month, with extra downloads available to buy.
Is AI-generated music safe to use commercially?
That depends on the plan, the terms and local law. This is not legal advice; read the terms and consider professional advice.
Did the lawsuits end?
Some settled in late 2025, but a summary reported other cases continuing as of April 2026. We could not confirm the current status.
Which sounds better?
We have not tested this and make no claim. Generate the same brief on both and judge for yourself.
Conclusion
Suno and Udio are in transition, so compare exports, rights and terms before sound. Revisit this decision when new models and platforms launch. For broader advice see how to choose an AI tool.
Sources
- Suno help, upcoming changes FAQ, 10 August 2026, accessed 11 November 2026
- Suno help, paid subscription plans, accessed 11 November 2026
- Udio help, UMG partnership changes, 17 February 2026, accessed 11 November 2026
- Music Business Worldwide, Warner and Suno, accessed 11 November 2026
- Yahoo Entertainment, Universal and Udio settlement, accessed 11 November 2026
- AI Law Wiki, label settlements (AI-generated, indicative only), accessed 11 November 2026
- Opus Pro, AI music news April 2026, accessed 11 November 2026
