How we chose: the criteria
Best-of lists tend to rank by brand size. We use plain facts instead, so you can check them yourself and weigh them for your own project.
- Free download: can you keep the stems on the free tier, or only preview?
- Sign-up: is an account or email required before a result?
- File length and size limit: does your track fit?
- Quota: how many files per day or per month?
- Privacy and deletion: where does the upload go, and for how long?
- Stem count: 2, 4, or more (guitar, piano, strings and so on).
- Model: which separation model the tool names.
We have not run a blind listening test, so we make no claim about which tool sounds best. Separation quality varies by song and by model. When a vendor does not publish a fact, the cell says not verified.
Free stem splitters compared
Checked 2026-10-19 on each vendor's own pages. "Not verified" means we could not confirm that cell on that date; limits and prices change, so confirm before relying on them.
| Tool | Free quota | Download on free | Sign-up | Stems | File limit | Model / type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TuneSplit | 3 files a day | Yes, MP3 | No | 2 or 4 | 10 minutes | Demucs htdemucs, web |
| LALAL.AI | 10 minutes in the Relaxed Queue (Starter) | Not included on Starter, per its pricing page | Not verified | Up to 8 types listed (vocals, instrumental, drums, bass, guitar, synth, strings, wind) | 200 MB per file | Not verified, web and apps |
| MVSEP | 50 separations a day | Yes, MP3 only on free | Guest use with captcha; free account optional | Depends on the model chosen; not verified for each | 10 minutes, 100 MB | Several models |
| BandLab Splitter | 2 splits a day on free | Not verified | Not verified | 2 or 4 on free; up to 7 on paid | Not verified | Not verified |
| Ultimate Vocal Remover | No quota; runs on your own computer | Saves files locally | Not mentioned on its page | Depends on the model; includes Demucs 4-stem | No limit stated | VR, MDX-Net and Demucs, desktop app |
| Moises | A limited number of uploads each month, exact number not published publicly | Not verified | Free sign-up | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified |
Treat this as a reference table, not a ranking. A cell that says not verified is not a criticism; it means the vendor's public page did not state it or the page was not reachable when we checked.
Choosing by what you want to do
For remixing, mashups and practice tracks, you usually want 4 stems so you can mute the drums or isolate the bass. TuneSplit's 4-stem mode does this and returns each stem as a separate MP3. If you also need a guitar or piano stem on its own, the long stem list on LALAL.AI is the closest match among the tools above, and some models inside UVR and MVSEP also go beyond four stems.
For a one-off karaoke or acapella job, the 2-stem split is simpler and slightly faster, and the quality question is mostly about how clean the vocal line is.
For volume, an offline app is the practical route. UVR is free and open source and has no daily cap, at the cost of installing it and downloading models. Its README lists an Nvidia GTX 1060 with 6 GB as the minimum for GPU conversions.
For a mix of free use and the option to pay later, check the paid tier before you commit. LALAL.AI lists a Lite plan at $7.50 a month billed yearly, MVSEP sells credits starting at $3 for 60, and BandLab lists a membership at $8.25 a month billed yearly with unlimited splits. TuneSplit keeps going past the free files at 30 credits per started 5 minutes.
What TuneSplit's stem splitter does
| Fact | TuneSplit |
|---|---|
| Modes | 2 stems (vocals + music) or 4 stems (vocals, drums, bass, other) |
| Free quota | 3 files a day, up to 10 minutes each |
| Download | One MP3 per stem on the free tier |
| Sign-up | None |
| Deletion | Uploads and results deleted within 24 hours; never used for training |
| Model | Demucs htdemucs |
| Typical speed | 20 to 60 seconds for a 3-minute song |
What it does not do: it does not split guitar, piano or strings into their own stems, free stems are MP3 only (WAV stems are a paid-plan feature), and it does not accept files over 10 minutes on the free tier. The counter is kept per browser per UTC day, so it resets at midnight UTC.
What to expect from any stem splitter
- Stems are estimates. Cymbals can leak into vocals, and reverb tails can blur between stems. Listen before you build on a stem.
- Bass and drums separate most cleanly. Vocals in dense choruses and sustained pads are harder.
- A lossless source helps. A low-bitrate MP3 already lost detail that no model can restore.
- Rights still apply. Splitting a song does not give you the right to publish a remix of it.
If you are trying to decide between 2 and 4 stems, start with 4. You can always combine drums, bass and other back into a backing track in any editor, but you cannot split a 2-stem file further.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free AI stem splitter?
It depends on what you need to keep. TuneSplit gives you 3 free files a day with MP3 download and no account. Ultimate Vocal Remover is free offline with no cap. Use the criteria and the table above to compare, and confirm each vendor's current limits.
Can I split a song into stems without signing up?
Yes. TuneSplit needs no account or email. MVSEP allows guest use with a captcha. Many other services want an account even for the free tier.
How many stems can I get for free?
On TuneSplit you can choose 2 stems or 4 stems (vocals, drums, bass, other), and both modes use the same 3 free files per day. Other tools offer more stem types, some only on paid plans.
Is an AI stem splitter good enough for remixing?
It is good enough for demos, practice, DJ edits and many remixes, but expect some bleed between stems. For commercial releases, check the rights to the original song first, since splitting does not change who owns it.
Do I need a powerful computer?
Not for a web tool: processing happens on the server. For offline apps like Ultimate Vocal Remover, a modern GPU makes it much faster; its README lists a GTX 1060 6 GB as the minimum for GPU conversion.
What file formats can I upload?
TuneSplit accepts MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC, OGG and MP4 files up to 10 minutes on the free tier.