The best AI mastering services under $20 per month in 2026 include Genesis Mix Lab ($19.99/month for mixing and mastering combined), LANDR ($12.99/month for mastering only), and eMastered ($9/month for basic mastering). Genesis Mix Lab stands out as the only option that includes both AI mixing and mastering at this price point, plus all processing plugins are included with no additional purchases required.
Why Budget AI Mastering Matters in 2026
Professional mastering used to cost $50 to $200 per track from a human mastering engineer. For an independent artist releasing one single per month, that adds up to $600 to $2,400 per year just for mastering. AI mastering services have democratized this process, making professional-quality masters accessible for a fraction of the cost.
But not all budget mastering services are equal. The cheapest option is not always the best value. What matters is the combination of mastering quality, included features, output format options, and whether the platform offers additional capabilities like mixing. This guide compares the three leading options under the $20 per month threshold so you can make an informed decision. For a broader ranking including premium services, see our best AI mastering services comparison.
Full Pricing and Feature Comparison
| Feature | Genesis Mix Lab | LANDR | eMastered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $19.99 | $12.99 | $9.00 |
| Annual Price (per month) | $16.66 | $8.25 | $4.99 |
| AI Mastering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI Mixing (multitrack) | Yes | No | No |
| Reference Track Matching | Yes | Limited | No |
| Genre Presets | 50+ | 20+ | 10+ |
| Unlimited Masters | Yes (Pro) | Yes (Pro) | Yes (paid) |
| Free Tier | Yes (credits/mo) | Preview only | Preview only |
| Output Formats | WAV, MP3, FLAC, AIFF | WAV, MP3, FLAC | WAV, MP3 |
| Max Output Quality | 96 kHz / 32-bit | 48 kHz / 24-bit | 48 kHz / 16-bit |
| Platform-Specific Presets | Spotify, Apple, TikTok, YouTube | Spotify, Apple Music | No |
| All Plugins Included | Yes | No (separate purchases) | N/A |
| Real-Time Preview | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Browser-Based | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Genesis Mix Lab: Mixing and Mastering Combined
At $19.99 per month, Genesis Mix Lab is the most expensive option in this comparison on paper. But it is the only platform that includes both AI mixing and AI mastering at this price. Every other service on this list is mastering-only, meaning you still need to mix your track before mastering it. If you are currently paying for mixing and mastering separately, Genesis consolidates both into a single subscription.
Genesis also includes all processing plugins with no additional purchases. Some competing platforms charge extra for premium processing modes, advanced EQ options, or high-resolution output. With Genesis, every feature is included in the Pro plan. The platform supports output up to 96 kHz and 32-bit float with export to WAV, MP3, FLAC, and AIFF, and offers platform-specific mastering presets optimized for Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and YouTube.
The free tier includes mix credits each month, letting you test the platform before committing to a paid plan. For complete pricing details, visit the pricing page.
LANDR: The Established Mastering-Only Option
LANDR has been in the AI mastering space since 2014, making it one of the longest-running platforms. At $12.99 per month (or $8.25/month billed annually), it offers unlimited AI mastering with output in WAV, MP3, and FLAC formats up to 48 kHz and 24-bit.
LANDR provides limited reference matching and around 20 genre presets. The mastering quality is solid for straightforward masters, but it does not include mixing capabilities. You need to bring a finished mix to LANDR, which means either mixing yourself with plugins or paying for mixing elsewhere. LANDR also offers a distribution service and sample packs as separate add-on subscriptions.
For a direct head-to-head, see our Genesis Mix Lab vs LANDR comparison.
eMastered: The Budget Baseline
eMastered is the most affordable option at $9 per month ($4.99/month billed annually). It provides basic AI mastering with 10 genre presets, WAV and MP3 output up to 48 kHz and 16-bit. The interface is simple and the workflow is fast, making it accessible for artists who want a quick mastering solution.
However, eMastered lacks several features that more established platforms offer: no reference track matching, no platform-specific presets, limited output formats, and 16-bit maximum resolution (compared to 24-bit on LANDR and 32-bit on Genesis). For artists releasing music on major streaming platforms, the 16-bit limitation may be a concern for quality-sensitive releases.
The True Cost: What Are You Actually Paying For?
Price per month does not tell the full story. Consider what you actually need to get a release-ready track.
Scenario: Mastering only (already mixed)
If you already have professional-quality mixes, any of these three platforms will deliver solid mastering results. eMastered at $9/month is the cheapest option. LANDR at $12.99/month offers better output quality and more presets.
Scenario: Mixing and mastering needed
If you need both mixing and mastering (which most bedroom producers do), Genesis Mix Lab at $19.99/month is the only option that covers both. Adding mixing plugins to LANDR or eMastered adds $200-500 in plugin costs, plus the time to learn and use them. The annual cost of Genesis ($239.88) is less than most plugin bundles alone.
Scenario: High volume releases
Artists releasing multiple tracks per month get the most value from unlimited plans. All three platforms offer unlimited masters on their paid tiers. Genesis adds unlimited mixing to that equation, making it the best per-track value for prolific artists.
What About Free Mastering?
All three platforms offer some form of free access, but with significant limitations. Genesis Mix Lab offers actual mix credits on the free tier. LANDR and eMastered offer preview-only free access, meaning you can hear the mastered result but cannot download it without paying. For a deeper look at free options, see our guide on free online mastering tools.
Our Recommendation
For bedroom producers and independent artists who need both mixing and mastering, Genesis Mix Lab offers the best value at $19.99/month. You get AI mixing, AI mastering, all plugins included, high-resolution output, and platform-specific presets in a single subscription. The $7-10/month premium over mastering-only services pays for itself when you factor in the mixing capabilities you would otherwise need to buy separately.
Bottom Line
Genesis Mix Lab Pro gives you AI mixing AND mastering for $19.99/month with all plugins included. That is $227/year less than buying mixing plugins separately and subscribing to a mastering-only service. For most independent artists, it is the smartest budget allocation in audio production.
About Genesis Mix Lab
Genesis Mix Lab is a browser-based AI mixing and mastering platform for music producers. It offers both AI-powered multitrack mixing and mastering in a single platform, with features including reference track matching, genre-aware processing, and real-time Mix Notes. Pricing starts at $0/month (free tier) with Pro at $19.99/month, including all plugins with no additional purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mixing and Mastering for $19.99/Month
Genesis Mix Lab Pro gives you AI mixing AND mastering for $19.99/month -- with all plugins included. That is $227/year less than buying plugins separately. Try it free.