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Tidal Review
Tidal advertises over 100 million songs ad‑free, putting its catalog on par with major services like Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music. The platform emphasizes audio quality with Lossless FLAC and Hi‑Res FLAC up to 24‑bit/192 kHz, and it continues to feature a wide range of music videos, live sessions, and editorial programming (interviews, genre hubs, and curated playlists). Current marketing focuses on audio and discovery; Tidal maintains a large video catalog, though it no longer publishes a specific current video count.
Like most music streaming services, Tidal’s apps organize listening around editorial and personalized playlists, search across artists/albums/tracks, and easy playlist building. Device support is broad: mobile, desktop, and web apps, plus direct streaming to hi‑fi gear via TIDAL Connect. Tidal is compatible with smart TVs and streamers, works with smart speakers and multiroom systems, and supports in‑car playback through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The apps clearly label available formats (Lossless/Hi‑Res/Dolby Atmos) and surface device/quality options based on your connection and hardware capabilities (sound quality).
Tidal Packages Compared
How We Evaluated Tidal
We compared Tidal on catalog size, pricing, trials, and features. Tidal lists 100M+ songs, which matches the industry’s top tier. On value, the U.S. baseline for ad‑free on‑demand plans has converged around $10.99/month, and Tidal’s current prices align with that: Individual $10.99 and Family $16.99 (student discounts available; no ad‑supported free tier). Free‑trial lengths change frequently and vary by promotion. For context and cross‑checks, see TIDAL Pricing, Amazon Music Unlimited plans, Apple Music, and Spotify Premium. Recent industry moves have emphasized ARPU growth via price increases rather than only user growth—e.g., Spotify’s 2024 U.S. price update (pricing announcement).
We also evaluated sound quality, discovery, and multi‑device UX. Tidal standardized on open formats—Lossless and Hi‑Res FLAC up to 24/192—after retiring MQA and Sony 360 Reality Audio in 2024, while maintaining Dolby Atmos content on supported devices (coverage). We looked for clear format badges (Lossless/Hi‑Res/Atmos), and seamless casting and handoff via TIDAL Connect, alongside broad app support across mobile, desktop, web, TVs, smart speakers, and car interfaces (Tidal apps).
Tidal vs. Other Music Streaming Services
*For tracks offered in “Ultra HD” on Amazon Music Unlimited
Key Tidal Considerations
High-quality sound
Tidal centers its audio offering on open, high‑fidelity formats: Lossless and Hi‑Res FLAC up to 24‑bit/192 kHz on supported devices, with Dolby Atmos mixes where available. In 2024, Tidal removed MQA and Sony 360 Reality Audio and consolidated around FLAC, simplifying device compatibility while keeping hi‑res options (reporting). Competing services also offer open‑format hi‑res tiers—Amazon’s HD/Ultra HD in FLAC and Apple Music’s ALAC Lossless/Hi‑Res (Amazon Music HD/Ultra HD; Apple Music Lossless).
Exclusive content
Rather than long windowed album exclusives, Tidal differentiates with editorial and artist‑enablement. Expect short‑window premieres, in‑studio sessions, and storytelling around scenes and new releases, plus programs like TIDAL Collabs that help artists find collaborators. Tidal has worked with labels on payout experiments, including a strategic collaboration with Universal Music Group to explore “artist‑centric” models, and it has expanded creator/DJ integrations such as native support in Pioneer DJ’s rekordbox (integration details). Tidal also maintains a large catalog of official music videos and original programming, though it does not publish a current video count.
Higher prices
Tidal’s pricing now aligns with the market baseline: Individual $10.99/month and Family $16.99/month in the U.S., with student discounts available (TIDAL Pricing). There’s no ad‑supported free tier and no dedicated “Duo” plan for two users. By comparison, Amazon Music Unlimited is $10.99/month (or $9.99 for Prime members), Apple Music is $10.99, and Spotify is $11.99 with an optional $16.99 Duo plan and bundled monthly audiobooks listening time. Family tiers at $16.99 for up to 6 accounts (Amazon/Apple/Tidal) can bring the effective per‑user cost to about $2.83 when fully utilized (Amazon plans; Apple Music; TIDAL Pricing). Industry‑wide price updates in 2024 signaled a shift toward ARPU growth, not just user growth (Spotify pricing update).
The Bottom Line
Tidal is a strong pick if you want a 100M+ track catalog with open‑format lossless and hi‑res audio (up to 24/192) and visible format indicators, plus deep editorial and a sizable video lineup. Apps span mobile, desktop, web, TVs, and hi‑fi gear via TIDAL Connect, and they support CarPlay/Android Auto for in‑car listening. Pricing matches the market, but there’s no ad‑supported free tier or Duo plan; if you value bundled audiobooks or a couple’s tier, competitors may fit better. For sound quality, device reach, and curated discovery, Tidal competes at the top of the market (Tidal; sound quality).
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