Compared · Updated
Best free stem splitters in 2026
The short answer
The best free stem splitter is Ultimate Vocal Remover (UVR5): free, open source, no limits, and it runs on your own computer. Developers can run Demucs, the open model behind it, directly. With nothing to install, the SongUp AI Stem Separator runs the same HTDemucs model in your browser with 4 or 6 stems and never uploads your file; it uses no credits and has no per-song limit, but it needs any paid SongUp AI plan. Moises suits musicians practising on a phone, but its free plan allows only a few uploads a month, and LALAL.AI gives 10 free minutes before you need to pay.
At a glance
| Tool | Best for | Free | Install? | Uploads your file? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Vocal Remover (UVR5) | The most control, if you can install software | Completely free and open source | Yes: desktop app for Windows, Mac and Linux | No: runs on your computer |
| Demucs (open source) | Developers and anyone comfortable with the command line | Free and open source | Yes: Python and the command line | No: runs on your computer |
| SongUp AI Stem Separator | Unlimited splitting in the browser with nothing to install, for SongUp AI members | No credits and no per-song limit, but it needs any paid SongUp AI plan | No: works in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari | No: runs in your browser, the file never leaves your device |
| Moises | Musicians practising along with songs on a phone or tablet | A few uploads a month (its help centre says 5 files a month) | Web app, plus iPhone, iPad, Android and desktop apps | Yes: files are processed on its servers |
| LALAL.AI | High-quality separation online, if you will pay after the trial | 10 free minutes (Starter plan, per its pricing page) | No: website, with apps and a plugin on paid plans | Yes: files are processed on its servers |
| vocalremover.org | A quick vocal and music split on any device | Free, supported by donations | No: website | Yes: you upload the song to the site |
#1 · Best for the most control, if you can install software
Ultimate Vocal Remover (UVR5)
UVR is a free, open-source desktop app that bundles many separation models and lets you pick and chain them. It is the favourite of people who separate a lot of audio and want to tune the result.
Visit Ultimate Vocal RemoverGood
- Free and open source, no limits
- Choice of many separation models and settings
- Works offline once installed
Not so good
- Needs installing, and a fairly capable computer for the heavier models
- The number of models and settings takes time to learn
- Not usable on a phone
#2 · Best for developers and anyone comfortable with the command line
Demucs (open source)
Demucs is the open-source separation model from Meta’s research team; HTDemucs is its best-known version. Running it yourself gives you the raw model for scripts and batch jobs.
Visit DemucsGood
- Free and open source
- Easy to batch and automate
- The same model family the SongUp AI separator runs in the browser
Not so good
- Command line only, no app
- Needs Python and ideally a graphics card for speed
#3 · Best for unlimited splitting in the browser with nothing to install, for SongUp AI members
SongUp AI Stem Separator
Splits a song into 4 stems (vocals, drums, bass, other) or 6 (adding guitar and piano) with HTDemucs, the open model from Meta’s research team that many paid services also build on. Each stem can be soloed, muted and downloaded as WAV. Running it uses no credits; any paid plan unlocks it.
Open it freeGood
- No credits used and no per-song limit
- Your audio is never uploaded
- 4- or 6-stem mode, WAV downloads
Not so good
- Needs a paid SongUp AI plan
- The first run downloads the model once (about 172 MB for 4 stems)
- Speed depends on your device; older phones are slow
#4 · Best for musicians practising along with songs on a phone or tablet
Moises
Moises is a full practice app: separate a song, mute your instrument, change speed and key, and see chords. Its site lists 27 stem types. The free plan allows a small number of uploads each month.
Visit MoisesGood
- Polished mobile apps and practice tools (speed, pitch, chords)
- Many stem types
- Says it never trains on your data
Not so good
- Free plan is capped at a few uploads a month
- Your audio is uploaded to its servers
- Many features need a subscription
#5 · Best for high-quality separation online, if you will pay after the trial
LALAL.AI
LALAL.AI is a well-known online separator with many stem types. The free Starter plan gives 10 minutes of processing in its slower queue; regular use needs a paid plan.
Visit LALAL.AIGood
- Many stem types beyond vocals and instruments
- Nothing to install
- Large files supported (200 MB per file on the free plan)
Not so good
- Only 10 free minutes, so it is a trial rather than a free tool
- Your audio is uploaded to its servers
- Free plan uses the slower queue
#6 · Best for a quick vocal and music split on any device
vocalremover.org
A long-running free website that splits a song into a karaoke version and an acapella. Its page says processing usually takes about 10 seconds. The same site has a splitter, pitch changer, key and BPM finder, cutter and joiner.
Visit vocalremover.orgGood
- Free and very simple
- Fast, because processing runs on its servers
- A set of other small audio tools on the same site
Not so good
- Your audio is uploaded to its servers
- Fewer choices than desktop tools like UVR
How we compared
We looked at what each tool gives you for free today, whether you need to install anything or create an account, and whether your audio is uploaded to someone else’s server.
Free limits come from each tool’s own website on the date above. They change, so check the linked pages before you rely on them.
SongUp AI makes one of the tools on this list. Its Stem Separator needs a paid plan, so the free desktop tools come first; it is the pick if you already have a SongUp AI plan or can’t install software.
Sources, checked 10 October 2026: Ultimate Vocal Remover, Demucs on GitHub, Moises, Moises help: free plan uploads, LALAL.AI pricing, vocalremover.org. Free plans change, so check there for the current details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free stem splitter?
Ultimate Vocal Remover (UVR5): free, open source, no limits and the most settings, on a desktop computer. With nothing to install, the SongUp AI Stem Separator runs in the browser with no credits or per-song limit, but it needs any paid SongUp AI plan.
Is there a free stem splitter with no limits?
Yes. Ultimate Vocal Remover and Demucs are free with no usage limits. The SongUp AI Stem Separator has no usage limit either, but needs a paid plan. Moises and LALAL.AI limit free use (a few uploads a month and 10 minutes respectively).
Can I split stems without uploading my song?
Yes. The SongUp AI Stem Separator runs in your browser, and UVR and Demucs run on your computer, so the file never leaves your device.
How many stems can a free splitter make?
UVR and Demucs make 4 (vocals, drums, bass, other) or 6 (adding guitar and piano), as does the SongUp AI Stem Separator. Paid services such as Moises and LALAL.AI offer more stem types.
Is it legal to split stems from a song?
Splitting a song for practice, study or private use is generally fine. Publishing or selling stems or remixes of songs you do not own needs permission from the rights holders.
Make songs of your own
The tools are free. SongUp AI also writes and sings brand-new songs from your words, which you can release on Spotify, YouTube and TikTok, keeping the earnings.
$1 gets you 5 brand-new songs made from your own words. Then 21 songs a month for $9.99, cancel anytime. Terms apply
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