Tidal vs YouTube Music
type: Article
description: Tidal emphasizes high-fidelity audio and artist payouts with HiFi subscription at $120/year, while YouTube Music integrates music streaming with YouTube video content and offers better value at $13.99/month ($139/year) with ad-free YouTube access. Choice depends on whether audio quality or content breadth matters more to you.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-07-06T09:34:38.912Z
date created: 2026-07-06T09:34:38.912Z
date modified: 2026-07-06T09:34:38.956Z
content reference time: 2026-07-06T09:34:38.956Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: Tidal
about: YouTube Music
abstract: Tidal emphasizes high-fidelity audio and artist payouts with HiFi subscription at $120/year, while YouTube Music integrates music streaming with YouTube video content and offers better value at $13.99/month ($139/year) with ad-free YouTube access. Choice depends on whether audio quality or content breadth matters more to you.
text: Maximum Audio Quality. Subscription Price (Annual). Music Catalog Size. Exclusive Content. Artist Revenue Per Stream. Free Tier Available. Offline Downloads
conclusion text: Choose Tidal if you're an audiophile who owns quality headphones and values lossless audio or if you want to support artists with higher per-stream payouts. Choose YouTube Music if you want comprehensive music video access, integration with YouTube's ecosystem, better value bundling, and a broader content experience beyond just audio tracks.
additional property: Offline Download Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: All tiers | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Discovery Algorithm Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Good (Spotlight Program) | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Supported Devices
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Multi-platform (limited partners) | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Social Sharing Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Basic sharing | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Per-Stream Artist Payout
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: $0.01284 | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Video Content Library
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Integrated music videos | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Maximum Audio Bitrate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: 320 (MQA Hi-Res) | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: $12.99-14.99 | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Total Music Catalog
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: 100+ | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Global Active Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: ~3 | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Free Tier Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: None | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Lossless Audio Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Yes (HiFi tier) | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Monthly Active Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Undisclosed | YouTube Music: 1000+ million
additional property: Premium Subscribers
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Estimated 5-10 | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Global Market Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: ~5 | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Per-Stream Artist Payment
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: $0.007-$0.013 | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Audio Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Lossless HiFi + MQA | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Quarterly Revenue (2025)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Undisclosed | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Free Tier Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Limited/Ad-based | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Music Library Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: 100+ | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Lossless Audio Maximum Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: 24-bit/192 kHz (via MQA) | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Artist Royalty Per Stream
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: $0.0168 | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Web Player Maximum Bitrate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: 9216 kbps (Dolby Atmos) | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: AI Playlist Generation
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Not available | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Apple Ecosystem Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Limited | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Cross-Platform Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: iOS, Android, Web, Desktop, Windows | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Artist Page Song Visibility
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Limited visibility | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: CD-Quality Lossless Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: 16-bit / 44.1kHz (HiFi tier) | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Total Music Catalog
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Over 100 million | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Spatial Audio (Dolby Atmos)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: All subscription tiers | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Music Purchase / Ownership Option
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Streaming only | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Record Label Search Filter
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Not available | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: User Interface Modernity
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Modern, streamlined design | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Cross-Device Compatibility
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Excellent across platforms | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Maximum Audio Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: HiRes FLAC (9216 kbps) | YouTube Music: AAC 256kbps (lossy)
additional property: Artist Payment Per Stream
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: 117% higher than industry standard | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Music Library Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: 90+ million | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Free Tier Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: No | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Base Paid Subscription Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: $10.99/month | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Desktop Download Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Mobile only | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Subscription Tier Options
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: 2-3 tiers | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Spatial Audio Support (Dolby Atmos)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Yes, all tiers | YouTube Music: N/A
additional property: Maximum Audio Bitrate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: 320kbps (lossy) or lossless/Hi-Res with HiFi Plus | YouTube Music: 320kbps MP3
additional property: Song Library Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: 110+ million | YouTube Music: 100+ million
  value reference: Tidal
additional property: Monthly Premium Subscription Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: $10.99 | YouTube Music: $11.99
  value reference: Tidal
additional property: HiFi/Lossless Audio Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Yes (HiFi on all tiers) | YouTube Music: No
additional property: Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Yes (all subscribers) | YouTube Music: Limited
additional property: YouTube Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: No | YouTube Music: Yes (seamless)
additional property: UI Redesign (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Tidal: Standard interface | YouTube Music: Split-view Now Playing redesign rolling out
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/tidal
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/tidal
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/youtube-music
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/youtube-music
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/tidal-vs-youtube-music)
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/tidal-vs-youtube-music)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/tidal-vs-youtube-music
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/youtube-music-vs-amazon-music
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/spotify-vs-youtube-music
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/spotify-vs-tidal
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/apple-music-vs-tidal
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/youtube-music-vs-soundcloud
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/tidal-vs-qobuz
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/tidal-vs-deezer
teaches: How to choose between Tidal and YouTube Music
genre: Entertainment

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

Tidal
type: Thing
language: en-US
description: Premium music streaming service focused on high-fidelity audio and artist compensation.
subject of: Tidal vs YouTube Music

YouTube Music
type: Thing
alternate name: YM
alternate name: Youtube Music
language: en-US
description: Google's music streaming service bundled with music video content and YouTube Premium benefits.
subject of: Tidal vs YouTube Music

Tidal vs YouTube Music — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Tidal vs YouTube Music. Contains 123 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: Offline Download Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Discovery Algorithm Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Supported Devices
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Social Sharing Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Social
variable measured: Per-Stream Artist Payout
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Artist Support
variable measured: Video Content Library
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content
variable measured: Maximum Audio Bitrate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Audio Quality
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Total Music Catalog
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content
variable measured: Global Active Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Market Share
variable measured: Free Tier Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Lossless Audio Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Audio Quality
variable measured: Monthly Active Users
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Reach
variable measured: Premium Subscribers
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Market Reach
variable measured: Global Market Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Market Position
variable measured: Per-Stream Artist Payment
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Artist Compensation
variable measured: Audio Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Technical Specifications
variable measured: Quarterly Revenue (2025)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Financial Performance
variable measured: Free Tier Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Music Library Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content
variable measured: Lossless Audio Maximum Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Audio Quality
variable measured: Artist Royalty Per Stream
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Artist Support
variable measured: Web Player Maximum Bitrate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Audio Quality
variable measured: AI Playlist Generation
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Apple Ecosystem Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Cross-Platform Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Artist Page Song Visibility
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Experience
variable measured: CD-Quality Lossless Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Audio Quality
variable measured: Total Music Catalog
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content Library
variable measured: Spatial Audio (Dolby Atmos)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Music Purchase / Ownership Option
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Record Label Search Filter
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: User Interface Modernity
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Experience
variable measured: Cross-Device Compatibility
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Maximum Audio Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Audio Performance
variable measured: Artist Payment Per Stream
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Artist Economics
variable measured: Music Library Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content
variable measured: Free Tier Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Access
variable measured: Base Paid Subscription Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Desktop Download Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Subscription Tier Options
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Spatial Audio Support (Dolby Atmos)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Audio Performance
variable measured: Maximum Audio Bitrate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Audio Quality
variable measured: Song Library Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content
variable measured: Monthly Premium Subscription Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: HiFi/Lossless Audio Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Audio Quality
variable measured: Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Audio Quality
variable measured: YouTube Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: UI Redesign (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Experience
variable measured: Artist Payout Structure
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Creator Economics
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Price (Standard Tier)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Annual Premium Cost with All Benefits
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Lossless Audio Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Audio Quality
variable measured: Music Catalog Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content
variable measured: Estimated Global Subscribers
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Market
variable measured: Per-Stream Artist Payment
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Artist Compensation
variable measured: Offline Download Feature
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Average Per-Stream Payout
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Artist Economics
variable measured: AI DJ Adoption Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Feature Engagement
variable measured: Session Length Boost from AI Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Engagement Metrics
variable measured: Integrated Podcast Content
variable measured: Video/Shorts Integration
variable measured: Artist Monetization Barrier
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium)
variable measured: Content Types Supported
variable measured: Artist Upload Restrictions
variable measured: Offline Downloads Supported
variable measured: Average Song Catalog Size
variable measured: Google Ecosystem Integration
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/tidal-vs-youtube-music)

Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Tidal vs YouTube Music.
has defined term: Features
has defined term: Compatibility
has defined term: Social
has defined term: Artist Support
has defined term: Content
has defined term: Audio Quality
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Market Share
has defined term: Reach
has defined term: Market Reach
has defined term: Market Position
has defined term: Artist Compensation
has defined term: Technical Specifications
has defined term: Financial Performance
has defined term: Accessibility
has defined term: User Experience
has defined term: Content Library
has defined term: Audio Performance
has defined term: Artist Economics
has defined term: Access
has defined term: Creator Economics
has defined term: Market
has defined term: Feature Engagement
has defined term: Engagement Metrics
has defined term: Content Ecosystem
has defined term: Content Features
has defined term: Creator Tools
has defined term: Catalog
has defined term: Integration
has defined term: Sound Quality
has defined term: Platform Integration
has defined term: Discovery
has defined term: Audio
has defined term: Library Size
has defined term: Adoption

Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: features
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Compatibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: compatibility
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Social
type: DefinedTerm
term code: social
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Artist Support
type: DefinedTerm
term code: artist-support
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Content
type: DefinedTerm
term code: content
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Audio Quality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: audio-quality
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Share
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-share
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Reach
type: DefinedTerm
term code: reach
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Reach
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-reach
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Position
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-position
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Artist Compensation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: artist-compensation
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Technical Specifications
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technical-specifications
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Financial Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: financial-performance
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Accessibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: accessibility
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-experience
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Content Library
type: DefinedTerm
term code: content-library
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Audio Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: audio-performance
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Artist Economics
type: DefinedTerm
term code: artist-economics
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Access
type: DefinedTerm
term code: access
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Creator Economics
type: DefinedTerm
term code: creator-economics
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Feature Engagement
type: DefinedTerm
term code: feature-engagement
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Engagement Metrics
type: DefinedTerm
term code: engagement-metrics
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Content Ecosystem
type: DefinedTerm
term code: content-ecosystem
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Content Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: content-features
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Creator Tools
type: DefinedTerm
term code: creator-tools
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Catalog
type: DefinedTerm
term code: catalog
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Integration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: integration
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Sound Quality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: sound-quality
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Platform Integration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: platform-integration
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Discovery
type: DefinedTerm
term code: discovery
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Audio
type: DefinedTerm
term code: audio
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Library Size
type: DefinedTerm
term code: library-size
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Adoption
type: DefinedTerm
term code: adoption
in defined term set: Tidal vs YouTube Music — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-07-06T09:34:38.956Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: tidal-vs-youtube-music)
main entity: Can I hear the difference between Tidal HiFi and YouTube Music at 320kbps?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Yes, if you have quality headphones (over $150+) and trained ears. Tidal HiFi's lossless codec (16-bit/44.1kHz) and MQA Hi-Res (up to 192kHz) eliminate compression artifacts present in 320kbps MP3. Most casual listeners with standard earbuds won't perceive a difference, but audiophiles notice reduced harshness in vocals and clearer instrument separation.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which service pays artists more per stream?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Tidal pays significantly more at $0.0084 per stream — roughly 2-3x higher than YouTube Music's estimated $0.003-0.005 range. This is why Tidal is popular among independent and established artists seeking better compensation.
    language: en-US
main entity: Does YouTube Music have music videos like Spotify?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: YouTube Music integrates official music videos directly into the app (available via YouTube's massive video library), whereas Tidal has limited music video content. Spotify does not offer integrated music videos. This gives YouTube Music a significant content advantage for users wanting visual performances.
    language: en-US
main entity: Is Tidal HiFi Plus worth the extra $4/month vs standard Tidal Premium?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Only if you own quality headphones ($150+), use a lossless-compatible DAC/amplifier, and listen to Hi-Res mastered music frequently. Standard 320kbps is sufficient for 95% of listeners with typical earbuds or headphones. The annual HiFi Plus ($120) is better value than monthly ($14.99/month = $180/year).
    language: en-US
main entity: Can I use YouTube Music offline?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Yes, YouTube Music Premium subscribers can download up to 100,000 songs for offline listening on a single device. Tidal Premium and HiFi Plus also support offline downloads across all tiers, with similar per-device limits.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between Tidal and YouTube Music
type: HowTo
description: Tidal emphasizes high-fidelity audio and artist payouts with HiFi subscription at $120/year, while YouTube Music integrates music streaming with YouTube video content and offers better value at $13.99/month ($139/year) with ad-free YouTube access. Choice depends on whether audio quality or content breadth matters more to you.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Maximum Audio Quality
step: Consider: Subscription Price (Annual)
step: Consider: Music Catalog Size
step: Consider: Exclusive Content
step: Consider: Artist Revenue Per Stream
step: Consider: Free Tier Available
step: Consider: Offline Downloads
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: Choose Tidal if you're an audiophile who owns quality headphones and values lossless audio or if you want to support artists with higher per-stream payouts. Choose YouTube Music if you want comprehensive music video access, integration with YouTube's ecosystem, better value bundling, and a broader content experience beyond just audio tracks.

Consider: Maximum Audio Quality
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Maximum Audio Quality: Tidal has HiFi Plus: Lossless (16-bit/44.1kHz) + MQA & Hi-Res up to 192kHz, while YouTube Music has Premium: 320kbps MP3 (standard), no lossless option.

Consider: Subscription Price (Annual)
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: Subscription Price (Annual): Tidal has $120/year (HiFi Plus), while YouTube Music has $139/year (Premium with YouTube ad-free).

Consider: Music Catalog Size
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: Music Catalog Size: Tidal has 100+ million tracks, while YouTube Music has 100+ million tracks (with music videos included).

Consider: Exclusive Content
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Exclusive Content: Tidal has Artist interviews, behind-the-scenes, curated playlists, while YouTube Music has Official music videos, artist channels, live performances via YouTube.

Consider: Artist Revenue Per Stream
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Artist Revenue Per Stream: Tidal has $0.0084 per stream (highest in industry), while YouTube Music has $0.003-0.005 per stream (estimated).

Consider: Free Tier Available
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: Free Tier Available: Tidal has Ad-supported with 320kbps quality, while YouTube Music has Ad-supported with standard quality + YouTube ads.

Consider: Offline Downloads
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Offline Downloads: Tidal has Available on Premium and HiFi Plus, while YouTube Music has Available on Premium only.

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Tidal vs YouTube Music
review body: Tidal emphasizes high-fidelity audio and artist payouts with HiFi subscription at $120/year, while YouTube Music integrates music streaming with YouTube video content and offers better value at $13.99/month ($139/year) with ad-free YouTube access. Choice depends on whether audio quality or content breadth matters more to you.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Tidal vs YouTube Music

Artist Payout Structure
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: Artist-first model (higher payouts) | YouTube Music: Standard streaming splits

Monthly Subscription Price (Standard Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: $10.99/month (Premium) or $14.99/month (HiFi Plus) | YouTube Music: $10.99/month

Annual Premium Cost with All Benefits
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: $120/year (HiFi Plus annual discount) | YouTube Music: $139/year (Premium + YouTube ad-free)
value reference: Tidal

Lossless Audio Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: Yes (16-bit/44.1kHz minimum) | YouTube Music: No

Music Catalog Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: 100+ million | YouTube Music: 100+ million (plus music videos)

Estimated Global Subscribers
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: ~3 million | YouTube Music: ~80+ million (estimated YouTube Music users)
value reference: YouTube Music

Per-Stream Artist Payment
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: $0.0084 | YouTube Music: $0.003-0.005 (estimated)
value reference: Tidal

Offline Download Feature
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: Yes, available on all paid tiers | YouTube Music: Yes, available on Premium

Average Per-Stream Payout
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $0.007

AI DJ Adoption Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Not available

Session Length Boost from AI Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Data not available

Maximum Audio Quality
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: 320 kbps standard

Integrated Podcast Content
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: YouTube-hosted only

Video/Shorts Integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Primary growth engine via YouTube Shorts

Artist Monetization Barrier
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Wider access via Partner Program

Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium)
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $13.99

Content Types Supported
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Audio + Video (music videos, official content, shorts)

Artist Upload Restrictions
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Requires YouTube Partner Program verification

Offline Downloads Supported
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Yes (Premium members)

Average Song Catalog Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: 100+ million tracks

Google Ecosystem Integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Deep (Google Assistant, Workspace, Search, Android)

Artist Monetization Features (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Ad revenue sharing, Super Chat, channel memberships

Individual Monthly Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $11.99

Maximum Audio Bitrate/Quality
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: 320kbps Opus (lossy)

Average Per-Stream Artist Payment
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $0.007 (blended average)

Free Ad-Supported Tier
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Yes - full catalog with shuffle

Native Apple Device Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Android, Wear OS, web browser only

Discovery Algorithm
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: YouTube ecosystem video performance + watch history

Family Plan Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $17.99

Per-Stream Artist Payment (Paid Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $0.006-$0.012

Free Tier Per-Stream Payment
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $0.002-$0.004

Free Tier Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: None

Offline Downloads Access
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Premium subscribers only

Blended Average Per-Stream Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $0.005-$0.009

Global Subscribers
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: 100M+

Individual Premium Price
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $11.99

Family Plan Price
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $22.99

Music Video Integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Full YouTube library integration

Device Compatibility
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Android-optimized only

Recommendation Algorithm Quality
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: 8.1/10

Market Share
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: 12%

Audio quality (standard)
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: 256 kbps AAC

Lossless (CD quality)
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: No

Dolby Atmos / Spatial Audio
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: No

Music videos
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Yes — full library

Podcast integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: No

Audiobooks
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: No

Free tier
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Yes (ad-supported)

Offline downloads
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Yes

Synced lyrics
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Yes

Collaborative playlists
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Limited

Social / friend activity
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: No

AI DJ / smart recommendations
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Yes (auto-mix)

Siri integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Google Assistant

CarPlay
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Yes

Android Auto
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Yes (preferred on Android)

Google Home / Nest
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Native

Apple HomePod
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Via AirPlay

Individual price
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $11.99/mo ($15.99 w/ YT Premium)

Family price (up to 6)
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $26.99/mo (w/ YT Premium)

Student price
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $6.99/mo

Monthly Subscription Price (Premium/Paid Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $11.99

Total Available Tracks
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: 100M+ tracks

Global Streaming Market Share
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: 13.8%

Free Tier Audio Bitrate
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: 128 kbps

Artist Payout Per Stream
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $0.003-0.005

Minimum Streams for Monetization
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: 100,000 watches/month (YouTube Partner)

Monthly Subscription Price (Individual)
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $11.99

Catalog Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: 100+

Paid Subscriber Base
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: 80 million

Official Music Videos Included
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Yes

Spatial Audio/Dolby Atmos Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Limited

Voice Assistant Integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: Google Assistant (500M+ devices)

Annual Prime/YouTube Premium Bundle Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Tidal: N/A | YouTube Music: $139.99 (YouTube Premium music only)

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Tidal — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

YouTube Music — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare Tidal vs YouTube Music
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/tidal-vs-youtube-music)
object: Tidal
object: YouTube Music

Maximum Audio Quality
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Audio Quality

Integrated Podcast Content
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Content Ecosystem

Video/Shorts Integration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Content Features

Artist Monetization Barrier
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Accessibility

Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Content Types Supported
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Content

Artist Upload Restrictions
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Creator Tools

Offline Downloads Supported
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Average Song Catalog Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Catalog

Google Ecosystem Integration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integration

Artist Monetization Features (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Creator Tools

Individual Monthly Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Maximum Audio Bitrate/Quality
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Sound Quality

Average Per-Stream Artist Payment
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Artist Compensation

Free Ad-Supported Tier
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Accessibility

Native Apple Device Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Platform Integration

Discovery Algorithm
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Discovery

Family Plan Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Per-Stream Artist Payment (Paid Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Artist Compensation

Free Tier Per-Stream Payment
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Artist Compensation

Free Tier Availability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Offline Downloads Access
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Blended Average Per-Stream Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Artist Compensation

Global Subscribers
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Reach

Individual Premium Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Family Plan Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Music Video Integration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Device Compatibility
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Compatibility

Recommendation Algorithm Quality
type: PropertyValue
value reference: User Experience

Market Share
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Market Position

Audio quality (standard)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Audio

Lossless (CD quality)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Audio

Dolby Atmos / Spatial Audio
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Audio

Music videos
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Content

Podcast integration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Content

Audiobooks
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Content

Free tier
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Offline downloads
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Synced lyrics
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Collaborative playlists
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Social / friend activity
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

AI DJ / smart recommendations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Siri integration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integration

CarPlay
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integration

Android Auto
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integration

Google Home / Nest
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integration

Apple HomePod
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integration

Individual price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Family price (up to 6)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Student price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Monthly Subscription Price (Premium/Paid Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Total Available Tracks
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Library Size

Global Streaming Market Share
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Market Position

Free Tier Audio Bitrate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Audio Quality

Artist Payout Per Stream
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Creator Economics

Minimum Streams for Monetization
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Creator Economics

Monthly Subscription Price (Individual)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Catalog Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Content Library

Paid Subscriber Base
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Adoption

Official Music Videos Included
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Spatial Audio/Dolby Atmos Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Audio Quality

Voice Assistant Integration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Annual Prime/YouTube Premium Bundle Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing