MUSIC CREATION

BandLab: a free music studio with AI song ideas

By AiCoN | 6 October 2026 | Updated and checked 10 October 2026 | 5 min read

BandLab lets you record, edit and mix songs on your phone or in a browser, and its SongStarter tool gives you AI-made song ideas when you are stuck. The app and studio are free to use. Here is how to start, and what to check first.

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What is BandLab?

BandLab is an online music studio (a DAW, or digital audio workstation) from BandLab Singapore. You can record vocals or instruments, stack multiple tracks, add effects and presets, and share your song with other creators on the app. It runs as an app on your phone and as a website on a computer.

BandLab states that its app and studio are free to download and use, and that it offers free music creation tools. SongStarter is free; some other AI tools, effects and mastering controls need paid Membership. It also sells paid premium plans.

What does SongStarter AI do?

SongStarter is an AI-powered idea generator inside BandLab. It offers ready-made song ideas across different genres that you can change and build on. It is meant to help when you have no idea where to begin.

You pick a genre, then tap or click Generate.
You can change the genre, mood, tempo and key, and switch between variations.
If you do not like the idea, regenerate for a new one.
When you are happy, save it as a project or open it in the studio and keep editing.

How to start on your phone

Install BandLab from Google Play (Android) or the App Store (iPhone). All download options are on bandlab.com/download.
Open the app and sign up or log in when it asks. You need to be online to save projects.
From the main feed, go to the Create tab.
Under Tools, tap SongStarter.
Choose a genre from the dropdown at the top left. Use Settings at the bottom right to change mood, tempo and key.
Tap the 1, 2 or 3 buttons for variations, or Regenerate for a new idea.
Tap Save as Project or Edit in Studio, then add your own vocals or instruments.

How to start in a browser (laptop or desktop)

Open bandlab.com in Google Chrome. BandLab recommends Chrome, and says any Chromium-based browser also works.
Sign up or log in.
On the home page, click Create at the top right, then click SongStarter. You can also find it under More Products at the top left.
Pick a genre and click Generate. Adjust genre, mood, tempo and key at the top.
Click Regenerate for new ideas, then Save as Project or Edit in Studio.

Steps follow BandLab's own help article, checked 10 October 2026. Button names can change after app updates.

Is BandLab really free? Free vs paid

Free	The app and studio, SongStarter, multi-track projects, free cloud storage and selected effects. Mastering has four free presets: Universal, Fire, Clarity and Tape.
Paid	BandLab sells Pro and Max Membership. The India App Store currently lists Pro at ₹1,499 for one month or ₹14,900 for 12 months, and Max at ₹2,999 for one month or ₹29,900 for 12 months. Treat these as an approximate guide to your purchase: web or Android prices, promotions and your final checkout may differ. No checkout was tested. Additional mastering presets are paid; intensity adjustment is Pro, and Mastering EQ is Max. You do not need Membership to try SongStarter.
Offline use	You can work on projects offline, but you must be online to save projects or download instruments and samples.
Exporting	Songs are not stored as local project files on your phone. You can export a song as one audio file, or download each track.

Rights noteBandLab says you will not own the rights to a track generated by SongStarter, but you can use it without fees or royalties to the original creator. If you plan to release a song commercially, read BandLab's terms first.

Is it available in India?

Yes. BandLab is listed on the Apple App Store in India as a free app, and its website loads normally from India. We found no regional restriction on BandLab's own pages. Data use depends on what you do: it works on mobile data or Wi-Fi, and uploading or downloading samples uses data, so Wi-Fi is better for big projects.

Who is it for?

Students, hobby singers, college and church bands, reel and short-video creators who want original background music, and anyone who wants to try music production without paying for software.

AiCoN checkVerified on BandLab's own pages: free app and studio, SongStarter AI, phone and browser support, and the steps above. Not verified: how SongStarter treats Indian-language or regional styles, real-world SongStarter performance or final checkout prices. India iPhone Membership list prices and the four free mastering presets were checked on 10 October 2026. No hands-on feature test was done. We have not published any referral link.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to pay to use BandLab?

No. BandLab says the app and studio are free to download and use. Paid plans are optional.

Can I use BandLab on a laptop?

Yes, in a web browser. Chrome is recommended.

Can I use SongStarter without an account?

BandLab's steps start from the signed-in app or studio. Create a free account to be safe, since you also need one to save projects.

Can I use SongStarter music in my videos?

BandLab says you can use generated tracks without fees or royalties, but you will not own the rights. Check its terms before using them commercially.

Sources: BandLab download page and FAQ | BandLab Help: Generate Ideas with SongStarter AI | BandLab membership plans | Mastering help | App Store India. Checked 10 October 2026.