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ACE-Step vs Stable Audio: catalog facts
ACE-Step	Stable Audio
Free Free and open source under the MIT license.	Freemium The research does not detail current pricing; check the site for plans.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line	Web
Runs locally across Mac, AMD, Intel and CUDA hardware Actively maintained with a 2026 model-series update	Generates both music and sound effects Models described as commercially safe
Local generation quality and speed depend heavily on the hardware used Best results likely still require a capable GPU despite broader hardware support	Hosted service, not usable offline Pricing and limits not confirmed in the research
Downloadable app, Self-hosted	Web application
Open source	Closed source
License: MIT	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Needs internet
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 24, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.