Don't pick by prestige — pick by math. (Verify current prices and tier names; they change.)
1. Free tier = the test drive. Enough to learn the workflow and decide if Suno fits you. Don't release commercially from it — commercial terms live on paid tiers.
2. The middle tier = the hobbyist sweet spot. If you make a few songs a week, do the cost-per-song math: monthly price ÷ songs you'll actually make. Usually pennies per song — the credits are never the real cost; your time is.
3. The top tier = volume + commercial. Worth it when you're (a) generating daily, (b) releasing commercially and need the commercial terms, or (c) running out of credits every month on the middle tier.
4. The upgrade rule: start one tier lower than you think. Upgrade the month you hit the credit wall twice — not before. Unused credits are donations.
5. Annual vs monthly: annual is cheaper IF you'll use it all year. AI music has a honeymoon phase — go monthly for 2-3 months first, then commit.
Good luck! Hank founder of SonorixPG