As someone who loves music, I always try to keep my playlist exciting. And while I have my favorite artists and songs, sometimes the music can still feel tired. That’s why I decided to try generating a fresh set of songs on my own with Riffusion, an open-source AI music generator that not only lets you create songs for free. Even better? You can download them, too.
I’ve tried similar tools like Suno and Udio, but I never get very far before I’m asked to take out my credit card. That’s not the case with Riffusion. No subscription is required, there’s no waiting list and although there is an upgraded feature, you don’t need it to continue using the site. In other words, you can generate music with no strings attached — unless you're going for orchestral.
I decided to push the AI song generating platform to the limit by building an entire original AI playlist with Riffusion. Seven songs, seven different genres, all generated in minutes. Not only did it work, but the results were so good (and so fast) that I don’t see myself going back to Suno anytime soon.
Here’s how my seven-track Riffusion playlist came together, including the exact prompts I used so you can try them yourself.
1. Pop workout anthem
Prompt: "Create an upbeat, high-energy pop song at 145 BPM to motivate a running workout. Include a catchy chorus about chasing goals, pushing limits, and keeping momentum. Style should mix vocals with modern EDM synths and pulsing bass."
There is definitely an energy to this song and the lyrics of “keep running” would certainly be helpful if I was struggling to keep going as I train for the New York marathon. The lyrics seem a bit random and hard to follow, but the rhythm is good, especially for a hill workout.
2. Acoustic love ballad
Prompt: "Write a heartfelt acoustic ballad with soft guitar strums and emotional lyrics about falling in love unexpectedly. Vocals should be gentle and vulnerable.”
This song was probably my least favorite of all of the songs. The vocals were a bit overwhelming and the lyrics felt off.
3. 90s hip-hop throwback
Prompt: "Generate a 90s-style hip-hop track with boom-bap beats, scratching, and rap verses about confidence and self-expression. Keep the flow sharp, fun, and a little nostalgic."
This song was fun, and I’d probably put this on my real playlist. I like how there are no explicit words so I can play this one for my kids. The instrumental break was a little weird, but it didn’t last long so it’s easy to look past. I can see myself experimenting with this genre a little more.
4. Epic movie soundtrack
Prompt: "Compose a cinematic orchestral track for a climactic movie scene. Include sweeping strings, powerful brass, and a rising crescendo that builds to an emotional finale."
This felt like a real soundtrack like Hans Zimmer or John Williams. I was impressed by what Riffusion came up with for this prompt.
5. Kids’ sing-along
Prompt: "Make a cheerful children’s song with simple, playful lyrics about animals going on an adventure. Use bright instrumentation (ukulele, handclaps, xylophone) and a repetitive, catchy chorus that kids can easily sing along with."
It’s not hard to make catchy kids’ songs, but this one went over and above with the various instruments and fun language for little ones. I can see my four-year-old liking this song.
6. Lo-fi chill vibe
Prompt: "Produce a lo-fi instrumental track for working, with soft piano chords, vinyl crackle, mellow drum loops, and a relaxing jazzy vibe. The song should set a calm, focused mood."
Riffusion does a good job with matching instrumental tracks with vocals, and this song was no exception. This song is subtle enough to play in the background while I work without distractions.
7. Country road trip song
Prompt: "Create a country-rock song about freedom, open highways, and summer nights. Include twangy guitars, steady drums, and a sing-along chorus in the style of popular country singers.”
I liked the intro and the way this song has a storytelling aspect to it, like a real country song.
8. Bonus song about Riffusion
Prompt: “Write a song about a tired playlist using this feature for Tom's Guide. Include using Riffusion to write AI songs.”
I had no idea what I was getting myself into with this one, but I was pleasantly surprised by how catchy the song came out.
Why it beats Suno (at least for me)
- Unlimited generations. With Riffusion, there’s no second-guessing if a prompt will be “worth” a credit. I could iterate until the sound was right.
- Creative freedom. I didn’t feel boxed in by genre templates or premium-only features. If I wanted Hans Zimmer one minute and bubblegum pop the next, I could.
- Zero cost. Suno’s subscription adds up if you’re experimenting a lot. Riffusion is 100% free, which makes it way more fun to tinker with.
That said, Riffusion’s tracks aren’t always as polished as Suno’s. Vocals can be hit or miss, and the tool doesn’t always follow the prompt exactly. However, the full-length songs that the tool generates beat a lot of other free AI music generating platforms and the results are actually pretty good. For the sheer joy of instant music creation, plus, you can build a full playlist in under thirty minutes, Riffusion is unbeatable.
Final thoughts
I expected Riffusion to be a fun experiment, but it ended up becoming a serious creative tool. In one sitting, I made a playlist that carried me through a workout, gave me background work music and even entertained my kids. I used Gemini to create the art for each songs. With 100 image prompts for free, Gemini is a great choice for this type of project.
Suno might win on polish, but for freedom, speed and cost, Riffusion is in a league of its own.
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