Spotify and Apple Music could also be the most well-liked music streaming providers on the planet, however providers like Tidal and Qobuz supply loads of nice options and the next degree of listening to anybody making a change. Every provides hi-res audio and is accessible on desktop and cellular units. Due to a current change in Tidal subscriptions, the costs between the 2 providers at the moment are very comparable, though one is barely cheaper.
Under, we evaluate Tidal and Qobuz primarily based on worth, sound high quality, and supported units to find out which platform is healthier.
Worth
For a few years, Tidal has stood out for its hi-res music choices, a function lengthy shared with Qobuz. Nonetheless, the panorama has modified, and now different providers like Apple Music and Amazon Music (and shortly Spotify, hopefully) have additionally ventured into the hi-res music house.
Tidal’s lack of close to exclusivity on the hi-res entrance is probably going the rationale behind its April 2024 worth drops and subscription modifications. Tidal initially provided higher-priced HiFi and HiFi Plus plans. Right now, nonetheless, it gives plans which are extra in step with what different providers cost, and these plans nonetheless supply music in hi-res codecs.
The brand new Tidal plans include a person plan for $11 per 30 days, a household plan for $17 per 30 days (which covers as much as six members of the family), and a scholar plan for $5 per 30 days. There is no such thing as a longer a free Tidal plan. Tidal for DJs is a $9 month-to-month add-on to the person plan. This plan permits DJs to instantly entry Tidal’s library utilizing the DJ software program.
With any of the above subscriptions, you’ll be able to entry greater than 110 million tracks in lossless, hi-res FLAC, and Dolby Atmos codecs. The ad-free service gives offline listening, customized mixes, editorial playlists, and stay periods.
You possibly can take pleasure in a 30-day free trial should you’re new to Tidal, throughout which you’ll have entry to Tidal’s total ad-free, lossless catalog and streaming options for gratis.
Qobuz gives two main subscription plans, Studio and Elegant. Every of those plans has three tiers. The Studio plan has choices for people ($13 per 30 days), {couples} ($18 per 30 days), and household ($22 per 30 days for as much as six members of the identical family). For those who pay yearly, reductions of as much as 18% can be found on every plan. For example, a Studio solo account might be bought for $130 upfront for a 12 months, which is $10.83 per 30 days.
A Qobuz Elegant subscription can be accessible. Just like the Studio plan, it provides three tiers. The plans should be paid yearly and embody solo ($180 per 12 months), duo ($270), and household ($350) plans.
The Studio and Elegant plans supply entry to Qobuz’s library of greater than 100 million tracks in high-res lossless FLAC. The service consists of offline listening, customized mixes, editorial playlists, and extra. Elegant comes with all the identical base perks as Studio, plus as much as 60% off hi-res obtain purchases.
Qobuz doesn’t supply a free or scholar plan. Nonetheless, new customers can take a look at the service totally free for 30 days.
Tidal is cheaper than Qobuz, provides a extra in depth library, and features a scholar possibility. When evaluating costs, Tidal is the clear chief.
Winner: Tidal
Supported units
By means of its web site and apps, Tidal is accessible on each desktop and cellular platforms. It’s appropriate with audio units resembling Sonos, Bluesound, Denon, Cambridge Audio, and plenty of extra. You may as well entry Tidal on Vizio and Samsung sensible TVs, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, Android TV, and Hearth TV. It’s preinstalled on Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen automobile audio programs and helps Android Auto and CarPlay.
Qobuz might be accessed by means of its official web site and desktop and cellular apps. Quite a few audio {hardware} corporations, together with Devialet, Klipsch, Naim, Sonos, McIntosh, and extra, help the model. Qobuz helps Chromecast and is preinstalled in late-model Samsung TVs. You may as well entry Qobuz by way of CarPlay and Android Auto.
Each streaming music plans can be found on varied units, resembling cellular, desktop, higher-end audio programs, and automobile audio programs. Nonetheless, Tidal is extra broadly accessible as it may be used on particular automobile leisure programs, sensible TVs, and tv leisure programs.
Winner: Tidal
Music selection and catalog measurement
Tidal provides 110 million music titles versus 100 million for Qobuz. You possibly can undoubtedly discover Tidal’s extras should you look laborious sufficient, however you’d be hard-pressed to not discover probably the most mainstream songs throughout a number of genres on each providers. Nonetheless, the providers go in several instructions on the subject of curation.
Tidal caters to all genres and locations a premium on highlighting probably the most related content material for every person. From the second you be a part of Tidal, it seeks to grasp your musical preferences and tailors a novel expertise only for you. This personalized effect extends to the gathering of curated playlists and editorial content material you’ll discover whereas utilizing Tidal, making you are feeling genuinely valued as a music fanatic.
For those who’re curious about exploring new music, Tidal Rising gives international entry to content material from rising artists with only a click on. Tidal additionally provides unique interviews and a complete video library, which provides depth to your listening expertise.
From a curation perspective, Tidal additionally does an admirable job of concentrating on music for various moods, actions, and occasions. Along with the DJ add-on talked about above, yow will discover exercise and wellness-friendly playlists, cross-genre hits, employees picks, and a restricted collection of podcasts.
Qobuz additionally provides music throughout most genres, however clearly focuses on classical, jazz, and related genres. Qobuz enriches your expertise with its in-depth editorial content material, together with album critiques, artist interviews, and digital booklets. This wealth of data leaves you feeling enriched and extra knowledgeable in regards to the music you like.
In 2024, Qobuz provides one thing genuinely distinctive by maintaining a part of its deal with the concept that some folks nonetheless like to purchase music. As such, it gives subscribers and non-subscribers entry to music for obtain and buy. These with a Elegant membership can save as much as 60% on the accessible music titles.
Due to the service’s restricted focus, it provides a built-in Qobuz Journal, which highlights curated content material, together with articles and associated media. The journal additionally comprises useful guides on utilizing Qobuz’s options or understanding audio codecs.
For these searching for additional immersion, there’s the Qobuz Membership. At the moment, it is just accessible by means of the Qobuz web site. With the Qobuz Membership, customers can join with different music lovers and study extra about listening to high-quality music. They will additionally use the discussion board to speak with Qobuz about points or considerations.
As of April 2024, you’ll be able to subscribe to the Qobuz Membership VIP. Membership prices $64 yearly, together with extra advantages like unique reductions and precedence customer support.
Winner: Tidal
Sound high quality
Understanding the high-res observe codecs is essential while you hearken to music on-line. For instance, Tidal provides hi-res FLAC and MQA codecs, with hi-res FLAC now rising in popularity. This implies you usually tend to come throughout tracks in 24-bit/192kHz. Some could also be in 24-bit/96kHz or 16-bit/44.1kHz. If a observe is unavailable in hi-res FLAC or MQA, it is going to be in FLAC or AAC.
Qobuz additionally provides 24-bit/192kHz songs and albums. Relying on availability, you would possibly come across titles in 24-bit/as much as 96kHz and CD high quality (16-bit/44.1 kHz).
Each providers determine the kind of hi-res performed on each observe, whether or not you’re utilizing a cellular app or desktop.
It’s important to do not forget that the standard of high-resolution audio dramatically will depend on the parts of the audio supply chain, just like the digital-to-analog converter (DAC), amplifier, and audio system or headphones. If any of those parts are low-quality or not appropriate with high-resolution audio, you might not absolutely expertise high-quality audio as supposed.
What about Dolby Atmos? Dolby Atmos is a encompass sound know-how at present being employed by some providers. It creates a 3D soundscape the place sounds can transfer round, above, and behind you. Like normal audio high quality, you want supported gear to listen to Dolby Atmos. Of Tidal and Qobuz, solely Tidal helps Dolby Atmos.
Tidal and Qobuz supply wonderful sound high quality, making it tough to find out a transparent winner. As a result of Tidal helps Dolby Atmos, the sting goes to Tidal.
Winner: Tidal
Podcasts and movies
Corporations resembling Spotify and Apple have a devoted deal with the podcast market. Nonetheless, Tidal and Qobuz usually are not as invested on this space. Tidal provides entry to a restricted collection of curated podcasts primarily targeted on music-related content material. Nonetheless, it doesn’t present an enormous library of podcasts like different providers resembling Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Qobuz doesn’t checklist any podcasts on its app at the moment.
When it comes to video content material, Tidal provides over 650,000 titles primarily used for locating music or choose artists. Then again, Qobuz doesn’t supply any movies.
Winner: Tidal (by default)
Conclusion
Tidal and Qobuz are wonderful options to extra in depth music streaming providers resembling Spotify and Apple Music. Nonetheless, Tidal is the service closest to providing related content material general. In contrast to Qobuz, Tidal doesn’t consider particular genres. As a substitute, it goals to supply quite a lot of content material for everybody, together with music movies and podcasts. Tidal can be cheaper than Qobuz and provides a scholar plan.
For those who primarily take pleasure in classical or jazz music or need to study extra about these genres, Qobuz is a better option. It’s also the popular possibility for anybody curious about proudly owning music in these genres, as you may get vital reductions by means of at the least one in every of its subscription plans.
Total winner: Tidal
Editors’ Suggestions
