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Tidal vs. Spotify
Tidal is an artist-founded music streaming service backed by creators like Jay Z, Beyoncé, Jack White, Alicia Keys, and Kanye West, among other popular artists. Today, Tidal emphasizes high-fidelity listening and a large video library, reporting over 100 million songs and 650,000+ music videos (see TIDAL content). Regarding payouts, Tidal and Spotify both use revenue-share models rather than fixed per‑stream rates; Tidal’s prior fan-centered and Direct Artist Payouts programs have ended, aligning it with standard streamshare practices (TIDAL royalties; The Verge). Discounts (e.g., students and, in some regions, military and first responders) may be available depending on market (Subscription Types).
Spotify remains the scale leader in music streaming and offers both free (ad-supported) and Premium plans. Having surpassed 100 million-plus Premium subscribers years ago, Spotify now reports roughly 300 million Premium subscribers and mid-700 million monthly active users in 2025; see Spotify’s latest investor press release and major news coverage (Spotify IR; Reuters).
Tidal Premium vs. Spotify Premium Overview
Both Premium services offer ad-free listening, offline downloads, and unlimited plays/skips. Free-trial offers vary by region and promotion. Catalogs are now broadly comparable at 100 million+ tracks (Spotify: company info; TIDAL: content availability). Audio quality differs: Spotify streams up to Very High (~320 kbps, Ogg Vorbis) per its help docs (Spotify Audio quality), while TIDAL offers Lossless FLAC (CD-quality) and High-Res FLAC up to 24-bit/192 kHz on supported titles/devices (TIDAL Audio quality; TIDAL sound quality). Prices and plan names vary by market (note: Spotify raised U.S. Individual to $11.99/month in 2024 per Spotify Support – Price changes).
Song library
Both catalogs now list 100 million+ tracks globally, with regional availability depending on licensing. Spotify describes a catalog of 100M+ tracks (company info; developer docs), and TIDAL confirms 100M+ songs plus 650,000+ music videos (TIDAL content). Artist availability can still vary—some artists may withhold catalogs from certain platforms. The more meaningful difference today is format: Spotify music streams top out at lossy ~320 kbps, while TIDAL provides lossless and Hi‑Res FLAC on supported titles/devices (see quality sections below).
HD plan
Spotify does not list a generally available HD/lossless tier in its consumer plans; its official help page shows a maximum of Very High (~320 kbps, Ogg Vorbis) for Premium (Spotify Audio quality). By contrast, TIDAL supports Lossless FLAC (16‑bit/44.1 kHz) and High‑Res FLAC up to 24‑bit/192 kHz on compatible content and devices (TIDAL Audio quality; TIDAL sound quality). Actual hi‑res playback may require compatible hardware and settings.
TIDAL’s plan names and pricing vary by market; check your local plans to see where Hi‑Res playback is included and what discounts (e.g., student, and in some regions first‑responder/military) apply (Subscription Types). If you prioritize HD/Hi‑Res today, TIDAL makes these formats broadly available on eligible content/devices, whereas Spotify’s publicly documented tiers remain lossy-only at this time (Spotify help).
Device compatibility
Both services cover major platforms: phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, speakers, and cars. Spotify highlights very broad device support, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (Spotify in the car), extensive TV and console apps (Spotify on TV), and wearables and speakers via Supported devices, bolstered by Spotify Connect and voice integrations like Amazon Alexa. TIDAL lists many high‑end devices and speakers—including support for TIDAL Connect on compatible gear—on its supported devices page. If your device lacks a native app, casting, Bluetooth, or media server options (for example, via Plex) can provide alternatives.
Videos and extra features
TIDAL complements its music catalog with a large library of music videos—more than 650,000—plus editorial programming for artists and fans (TIDAL content). Spotify supports music videos in some contexts and is a major destination for video podcasts, which creators can publish directly (Video Podcasts on Spotify).
Podcasts are a clear differentiator. Spotify hosts over 5 million podcast titles and has shifted away from strict exclusivity for some marquee shows; it remains a top platform for podcast listening in the U.S. (Spotify company info; Edison Research 2025). TIDAL does not offer a general podcast directory (TIDAL podcast support), so podcast-first listeners will likely prefer Spotify.
The Bottom Line
TIDAL is a strong pick for audio purists and video-focused music fans: it offers lossless and Hi‑Res FLAC on supported titles/devices and an extensive catalog of music videos (TIDAL Audio quality; TIDAL sound quality; TIDAL content). Spotify, meanwhile, leads on ecosystem breadth, discovery features, and podcasts—with 100M+ tracks, wide device coverage (Spotify Connect, TVs, consoles, cars), and a massive podcast library (Spotify company info; Spotify Audio quality; Spotify on TV; in the car). Your choice comes down to highest‑fidelity music and videos (TIDAL) versus unmatched device reach and podcasts (Spotify).
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