Software advice
Best AI Stem Separation Tools in 2026
An AI stem separation tool takes a finished mix, such as an MP3 or WAV of a song, and splits it into separate tracks for vocals, drums, bass and other instruments using trained neural networks. It is not a multitrack recorder and cannot restore what was never audible, so bleed between stems and artifacts on dense mixes remain normal.
Quick answer
LALAL.AI ranks first for printed prices, a stated no-training policy and a free tier. Fadr fits producers who want cheap WAV stems and MIDI. Logic Pro fits Mac musicians who want separation inside the DAW they already own.
Most people searching for stem separation want one of three things: a karaoke track, a practice mix with one instrument muted, or clean parts to sample and remix. The vendors answer with web apps, plugins, DJ software and full DAWs, and they price very differently: per minute of audio, per month, per license or only on request. What the pages show less clearly is how many files a plan really covers, whether uploads are used to train models, and which export formats are locked behind the paid tier. This ranking weighs printed prices, stem counts the vendor names, export limits, data statements and how easily the stems reach your own editing software. We read vendor pages in November 2026 and ran no tool, so quality claims are the vendors' own.
The 11 best AI stem separation tools in 2026, ranked
There is no score. Vendors can pay for more visibility on this website, for example a higher place in a ranking or more room on a page. Commercial relationships can also affect which products we feature and how prominently. How we rank.
| # | Tool | Best for | Free plan | Entry price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LALAL.AI | Anyone who wants the widest instrument list with printed prices and a free test | Yes | Free Starter; Lite from 6.75 euros per month |
| 2 | Fadr | Producers who want low-cost WAV stems, MIDI detection and remix tools in one account | Yes | Free; Plus $10 per month |
| 3 | Moises | Musicians practicing along with a song who want stems, chords and speed control in one app | Yes | Quoted |
| 4 | Logic Pro | Mac musicians who want stem separation inside a full recording and mixing program | Trial | $199.99 |
| 5 | FL Studio | Beat makers on Windows or Mac who want separation and sampling in one program | Trial | From $99 |
| 6 | RipX DAW | Producers who want to edit individual notes inside separated stems | Trial | £99.00 |
| 7 | PhonicMind | Players who want a browser stem mixer with lyrics and chords, or one-off conversions | Trial | $9.99 per month |
| 8 | AudioShake | Developers and media teams that need stems, speech isolation or lyric alignment through an API | Trial | Free to start |
| 9 | Serato DJ Pro | DJs who want stems separated in real time on a deck | Trial | $11.99 per month |
| 10 | Voice.ai | Creators who also use voice changing or text to speech and want a free stem splitter | Yes | $0 per month |
| 11 | Gaudio Studio | Companies that want to embed a stem splitter or vocal remover in their own product | No | Quoted |
- 1
LALAL.AI takes first place because a buyer can read every price, test for free and see a clear data statement: user files are not used for AI training. It lists more named instruments than any tool with public pricing, adds a VST on Pro and has desktop and mobile apps. Unused minutes do not roll over, and API access is withheld from Starter and Lite.
Strong on
- Prints all plan prices and names eight instrument groups beyond vocals, drums and bass.
- Privacy policy says user files are not used for AI training.
- Pro includes a VST plugin that runs locally inside a DAW.
Weak on
- Fast Queue minutes do not roll over, so heavy months and quiet months cost the same.
- API access is shown as unavailable on Starter and Lite.
Skip it if: People who need a one-time license with no monthly minutes, or who split many songs in a single month. Starter has 10 Relaxed Queue minutes and no full downloads; Lite adds 90 Fast Queue minutes monthly and 2GB uploads.
- 2
Fadr ranks second because $10 a month buys WAV downloads, individual stem tracks, 1-hour uploads and API access, which is cheaper than most subscriptions here. The free tier covers vocals, melodies, drums and bass with MP3 export. The privacy page says nothing about model training, and the vendor lists no free trial of Plus, only a money-back guarantee.
Strong on
- Plus lists vocals and 15 other instruments, including lead and background vocals.
- Free Basic includes MIDI detection and a Remix Maker.
- API access is included in the $10 Plus plan.
Weak on
- Refunds may be refused if Plus is used extensively, and no trial is listed.
- Privacy policy does not say whether uploads train models.
Skip it if: Anyone who needs a stated no-training policy or a documented concurrent-processing cap before relying on it. Basic is free with MP3 downloads; Plus at $10 monthly or $100 yearly adds WAV, finer stems and API access.
- 3
Moises sits third because it names 27 stem types and adds practice tools such as Chord Finder and Speed Changer, with a clear promise not to train on user data. Prices are hidden behind a login, which makes budgeting impossible from the public pages, and credits expire monthly. That lack of visibility keeps it below the two tools with printed prices.
Strong on
- Names 27 stem types and lets you mute or solo the part you are learning.
- Home page says it will never train on users' data.
- Web, desktop, iPhone, iPad and Android apps are listed.
Weak on
- Paid prices are not published without logging in, and the credit amount is not stated.
- Subscriptions renew automatically and must be cancelled 24 hours before renewal.
Skip it if: Buyers who need to compare prices before creating an account, or who need an API. Full pricing shows only after login; a free tier allows a limited number of uploads per month.
- 4
Logic Pro lands fourth because Stem Splitter comes bundled with a complete DAW, so a Mac owner pays nothing extra and keeps files on the machine. The page names drums, bass, vocals, guitar and piano but gives no length or stem-count limits. It requires a Mac, and buying a full program only to split songs is poor value.
Strong on
- Stem Splitter sits next to Mastering Assistant, Session Players and Chord ID.
- Student and educator subscriptions start at $2.99 per month.
- Stems land directly in the project with no export step.
Weak on
- Runs on Mac, with the app priced at $199.99 or inside a subscription.
- The page gives no file length or stem count limit for Stem Splitter.
Skip it if: Windows users, or anyone who only wants a karaoke track and does not plan to produce music. Standalone Mac app; a $12.99 monthly Creator Studio subscription with a 30-day trial is the other route.
- 5
FL Studio ranks fifth because AI-powered Stem Separation arrives from the Producer Edition up, with lifetime free updates and a trial. The cheapest edition has no separation at all, and the pricing page we read did not show per-edition prices, so the real entry cost is unclear. A rent-to-own plan spreads cost over 12 payments, which helps budgets but adds commitment.
Strong on
- Separates bass, synth, drums and vocal layers from any audio file in the project.
- Lifetime Free Updates are named on the pricing page.
- Rent-to-Own spreads the cost over 12 monthly payments.
Weak on
- Fruity Edition, the entry tier, does not include Stem Separation.
- Edition prices beyond 'From $99' were not visible on the pricing page.
Skip it if: Anyone who wants a quick online splitter without buying a DAW edition above the entry tier. Fruity edition lacks Stem Separation; it starts at Producer, whose price the fetched page did not show.
- 6
RipX DAW is sixth because it goes beyond splitting: stems become note-level layers you can retune, print to MIDI and turn into virtual instruments. The buy page showed both editions as sold out, billing basis is unstated, and the cheaper edition lacks the plug-in formats. It rewards patient editing far more than quick karaoke jobs.
Strong on
- Edits stems note by note, with MIDI printing and WAV stem export for other programs.
- 21-day trial is offered from the Try / Buy menu.
- PRO adds RipLink plug-ins in AudioSuite, VST3 and ARA formats.
Weak on
- Both editions showed Sold out on the buy page, and billing basis is not stated.
- Activation needs an internet connection and covers two computers.
Skip it if: Users who need a quick vocal remover or an API, or who do not want to learn a new editor. Buy page also lists RipX DAW PRO at £198.00; billing basis is not stated and both showed Sold out.
- 7
PhonicMind ranks seventh because its player combines lyrics, chords and a stem mixer, and a $6.99 single conversion suits occasional users. The entry plan allows no downloads and 5-minute songs, and the vendor names neither a maker nor a home country on the pages we opened. Its subscriptions also cost more than LALAL.AI for comparable output.
Strong on
- Studio delivers Mix.flac and Stems.flac.zip downloads at up to 320 kbps player quality.
- Single Studio Conversion at $6.99 avoids a subscription.
- Browser player shows synced lyrics, chords and tempo beside the stem mixer.
Weak on
- Uploads are capped at 100 MB per file, and Sing has no downloads.
- Maker and country are not stated on the pages we opened.
Skip it if: Anyone who needs an API, a free ongoing tier or a vendor with a stated legal entity. Sing plan has no downloads and a 5-minute song limit; a single Studio conversion costs $6.99.
- 8
AudioShake is eighth because it targets businesses: REST API, SDK, speech isolation, multi-speaker separation and lyric alignment sit beside music stems. A solo musician gets less from it, since prices are unpublished and no stem list is printed on the pages we read. Teams that process catalogs will find it more relevant than the consumer apps ranked above.
Strong on
- REST API, SDK, documentation and a changelog are all offered.
- Includes speech isolation and multi-speaker separation beyond music stems.
- Studio web app lets you try separation without installing anything.
Weak on
- No public price beyond 'Free to start' for the Studio app.
- Custom models and catalog preparation go through Data Services.
Skip it if: Hobbyists who want a published monthly price and a stem list to compare. Only the Studio web app is free to start; API pricing is unpublished and custom models are quoted.
- 9
Serato DJ Pro is ninth because real-time stem separation is a performance feature, not a general splitter: the stems stay inside the DJ program. Its pricing page does not say which plan includes Stems, and no AI model or export option is described. DJs will value it, while producers who need files should look higher up.
Strong on
- Separates stems in real time, per the product page.
- Connects to more than 150 pieces of DJ hardware.
- Streams from services such as Apple Music inside the same DJ program.
Weak on
- Pricing page does not say which plan includes Stems.
- DJ hardware is not included in either plan.
Skip it if: Producers or singers who need stem files exported for editing rather than live DJ use. DJ Pro is $11.99 monthly or $299 to buy; Suite is $14.99 monthly or $499. Stems go unmentioned.
- 10
Voice.ai is tenth because the stem splitter is one tool in a voice and speech platform, with vocals, instruments, beats and basslines separated for free. Credits are shared with speech products, the 5-minute cap on the free plan is short, and the vendor publishes no stem list. It fits as a free extra, not a main separator.
Strong on
- Free web Stem Splitter separates vocals, instruments, beats and basslines.
- Vocal Remover, Echo Remover and Key BPM Finder sit in the same account.
- APIs and SDKs are offered for developers, in addition to the web tools.
Weak on
- Free plan caps each audio tool conversion at 5 minutes.
- Audio tools use the same monthly credits as the speech products.
Skip it if: Musicians who need a long list of named instruments or lossless exports. Free plan gives 5k monthly credits shared with speech products; each audio conversion is capped at 5 minutes.
- 11
Gaudio Studio comes last because a buyer cannot see a price, a free test or a data policy: the product page offers only a sales contact, and its privacy page returned an error when we tried it. It names drums, bass, guitar and piano plus a karaoke vocal remover and API and SDK options. Hold it until a quote arrives.
Strong on
- Offers a vocal remover for karaoke alongside the stem splitter.
- API and SDK let developers add the model to an application or website.
- About page lists 136 patents granted worldwide and a California subsidiary.
Weak on
- No price, free plan or trial is listed on the product page.
- The privacy policy path we tried returned a 404.
Skip it if: Individuals who want to try a splitter today, or anyone who needs data practices documented before testing. No prices are shown; the page offers a Talk to an expert button and lists no free plan.
How these AI stem separation tools were judged
How many stems can these tools actually separate?
Stem counts differ more than the marketing suggests. Moises names 27 stem types, LALAL.AI lists vocals, drums, bass, two guitar types, piano, synthesizer, strings and wind, and Fadr Plus lists vocals plus 15 other instruments. PhonicMind recognizes up to 16 classes but delivers up to 8 usable stems. Logic Pro and FL Studio name drums, bass, vocals and a handful of others, with FL Studio listing bass, synth, drums and vocals. Gaudio Studio names drums, bass, guitar and piano. None of the vendors publish a listening test, so output quality on dense mixes is something to judge on your own track using the free preview each offers.
What does stem separation cost in 2026?
Prices fall into four shapes. LALAL.AI prints a free Starter, Lite at 6.75 euros and Pro at 13.50 euros per month. Fadr Plus is $10 monthly or $100 yearly. PhonicMind runs from $9.99 to $29.99 monthly, plus a $6.99 one-song conversion. Logic Pro is a $199.99 app, RipX DAW starts at 99 pounds and Serato DJ Pro at $11.99 monthly. Moises shows full pricing only after login, and AudioShake and Gaudio Studio quote on request. Check minute allowances before comparing monthly figures, because a cheap plan with 90 fast minutes can cost more per song than an app license.
Do stem separation tools train on the files you upload?
Only two vendors say anything direct. LALAL.AI's privacy policy states that it does not use user files for AI training, and Moises says on its home page that it will never train on users' data and uses licensed material for its models. Fadr, PhonicMind, AudioShake, RipX DAW and Serato state nothing on this point on the pages we opened, and Gaudio Lab's privacy page returned an error. Program-based tools process audio locally or inside the vendor's app, which matters if you handle unreleased masters. Upload retention periods are not published by any vendor in this group, so ask before sending client audio.
How easily can you take stems into your own editor?
Export format is the practical lock. Fadr Basic gives MP3 downloads and WAV only on Plus, PhonicMind's Sing plan has no downloads at all and its lower tiers stop at MP3, and LALAL.AI limits free users to previews without full downloads. Moises and Logic Pro sit inside ecosystems of their own, and RipX DAW stores work in its proprietary Rip format, though it exports WAV stems. Plugin routes help: LALAL.AI Pro includes a VST that runs inside a DAW, and RipX DAW PRO adds AudioSuite, VST3 and ARA plug-ins. API access exists at LALAL.AI, Fadr Plus, AudioShake, Voice.ai and Gaudio Lab.
Which stem separation tool fits which kind of user?
A singer who needs a backing track once a month should start with the LALAL.AI or Voice.ai free tiers and test a clip before paying. A guitarist practicing along suits Moises, which adds speed and chord tools. A producer on a Mac already holds Stem Splitter in Logic Pro, and FL Studio users get Stem Separation from the Producer Edition up. DJs get real-time stems in Serato DJ Pro. Developers and rights holders processing catalogs should talk to AudioShake or Gaudio Lab, since API pricing is not public. Producers who want to edit individual notes inside stems are the audience for RipX DAW.
How to choose an AI stem separation tool in three steps
- Test your hardest song first. Pick a dense mix with live drums, layered guitars and reverb on the vocal, not a clean pop track. Run it through the free tier or trial of two or three tools and compare the stems with headphones. Listen for drum hits leaking into the vocal and for watery highs on the instrumental. Most vendors cap free output by length or quality, so you will not get a full export, but a preview is enough to rule tools out. Keep the winning settings in a note so you can reproduce them on the paid plan.
- Count minutes, not months. Estimate how many songs and how many minutes of audio you split in a typical month, then read the allowance on each plan. LALAL.AI counts Fast Queue minutes and does not roll them over, PhonicMind sells one-song conversions, and Logic Pro or FL Studio charge once for a program with no per-file meter. A person who splits two songs a year should buy single conversions or use a free tier. Someone splitting weekly should compare a subscription against a program license over twelve months.
- Match the export to your editor. Write down where the stems must end up: a DAW, a DJ deck, a karaoke app or a video editor. Then check the export format on the plan you would buy. WAV, FLAC and per-stem files matter for mixing, while a single MP3 mix is fine for practice. If your DAW already includes a splitter, as Logic Pro and FL Studio do, test that before paying for an outside tool. If you need automation, confirm API access is on your plan, since several vendors reserve it for higher tiers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best AI stem separation tool in 2026?
LALAL.AI ranks first in this comparison because its plan prices are printed, it lists the widest set of named instruments among the tools with public pricing, and its privacy policy says user files are not used for AI training. Fadr is second for low-cost WAV stems, and Moises third for practice features. Ranks reflect vendor pages read in November 2026, not listening tests.
Is there a free AI stem separation tool?
Yes, several. LALAL.AI has an always-free Starter with 10 Relaxed Queue minutes and no full downloads. Fadr Basic is free with MP3 downloads and basic stems. Voice.ai's Free plan gives 5k monthly credits with a 5-minute limit per audio conversion. Moises has a free tier with a limited number of uploads each month. RipX DAW offers a 21-day trial instead of a free plan.
Can AI separate vocals from a song perfectly?
No vendor claims perfect separation, and none published an independent listening test. Dense mixes, heavy reverb and similar-sounding instruments cause bleed and artifacts in every tool. LALAL.AI offers a Split in Full preview, and several vendors offer free tiers, so the practical approach is to test your own track and keep the tool whose artifacts bother you least.
Which stem separator exports WAV files?
Fadr Plus lists WAV downloads, while Fadr Basic gives MP3. PhonicMind Studio delivers Mix.flac and Stems.flac.zip files, and RipX DAW exports WAV stems. LALAL.AI downloads depend on the plan, since Starter has no full downloads. Check the export formats on the exact plan before buying, because several vendors reserve lossless files for the upper tier.
Does Logic Pro or FL Studio include stem separation?
Both do. Logic Pro lists Stem Splitter among its machine-learning tools, covering drums, bass, vocals, guitar, piano and other instruments. FL Studio lists AI-powered Stem Separation starting at the Producer Edition, so the Fruity Edition does not have it. That makes an outside separator unnecessary for many producers who already own one of these programs.
Do stem separation services keep or train on my uploaded music?
It varies and is rarely spelled out. LALAL.AI's policy says user files are not used for AI training, and Moises says it will never train on users' data. Fadr, PhonicMind, AudioShake, RipX DAW and Serato state nothing on training on the pages we opened. No vendor in this group publishes an upload retention period, so ask support before sending unreleased or client audio.
Which stem separation tools have an API?
LALAL.AI, Fadr Plus, AudioShake, Voice.ai and Gaudio Lab all describe API or SDK access. AudioShake and Gaudio Lab publish no prices and send inquiries to sales. LALAL.AI marks API access as unavailable on Starter and Lite, and Fadr lists API access under Plus without a numeric cap. Moises, PhonicMind, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Serato and RipX DAW list no public API.
Which stem splitter works best for DJs?
Serato DJ Pro separates stems in real time on the deck, per its product page, with a subscription at $11.99 per month or a one-time purchase at $299. Its pricing page does not say which plan includes Stems, so confirm before buying. PhonicMind's .stem.mp4 download is another route for DJ software and hardware that reads that format.