software
Tidal vs Amazon Music 2026: Audio Quality & Price
Tidal prioritizes lossless and hi-fi audio quality with a 70.7 million song catalog, while Amazon Music offers better value integration with Prime membership and a 100+ million song library. Tidal costs $12.99/month for standard or $23.99/month for hi-fi; Amazon Music is included free with Prime ($14.99/month) or $11.99/month standalone.
T
Tidal
Artist-first streaming service with lossless audio HiFi, exclusive content, and premium payouts.
Audiophiles, artists-first listeners, home studio users with premium equipment
Score63%
VS
AM
Amazon Music
Scalable music streaming with 100+ million songs, integrated Prime benefits, and competitive pricing.
Prime members, casual listeners, smart home users, budget-conscious subscribers
Score63%
Quick Answer
AI SummaryTidal prioritizes lossless and hi-fi audio quality with a 70.7 million song catalog, while Amazon Music offers better value integration with Prime membership and a 100+ million song library. Tidal costs $12.99/month for standard or $23.99/month for hi-fi; Amazon Music is included free with Prime ($14.99/month) or $11.99/month standalone.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Tidal if you're an audiophile who values lossless audio quality, want to support artists with higher payouts, and appreciate exclusive content from major artists. Choose Amazon Music if you prioritize affordability, want seamless Prime integration, need access to a massive catalog, and are satisfied with standard audio quality.
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T
Tidal
7.7/10
Amazon Music
7.3/10
A
T
Choose Tidal if
Best pickAudiophiles, artists-first listeners, home studio users with premium equipment
A
Choose Amazon Music if
Prime members, casual listeners, smart home users, budget-conscious subscribers
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Audio Quality Focus:✓ Tidal wins(Lossless FLAC & MQA hi-fi (24-bit/192kHz) vs Standard AAC 256kbps (lossy compression))
- Song Catalog Size:✓ Amazon Music wins(100+ million tracks vs 70.7 million tracks)
- Premium Tier Cost:✓ Amazon Music wins($11.99/month (standalone) vs $23.99/month (HiFi+))
Key Facts & Figures
79 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Tidal | Amazon Music | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per-Stream Artist Payout(cents) | $0.01284 | — | — |
| Maximum Audio Bitrate(kbps) | 320 (MQA Hi-Res) | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium Tier)(USD) | $12.99-14.99 | — | — |
| Total Music Catalog(millions) | 100+ | — | — |
| Global Active Users(millions) | ~3 | — | — |
| Premium Subscribers(millions) | Estimated 5-10 | — | — |
| Global Market Share(%) | ~5 | — | — |
| Per-Stream Artist Payment(USD) | $0.007-$0.013 | — | — |
| Music Library Size(million songs) | 100+ | — | — |
| Artist Royalty Per Stream(USD) | $0.0168 | — | — |
| Web Player Maximum Bitrate(kbps) | 9216 kbps (Dolby Atmos) | — | — |
| Total Music Catalog(millions of songs) | Over 100 million | 100+ million | |
| Music Library Size(millions of tracks) | 100+ million | 100+ million | |
| Base Paid Subscription Price(USD/month) | $10.99/month | — | — |
| Subscription Tier Options(number of plans) | 2-3 tiers | — | — |
| Maximum Audio Bitrate(kbps) | 1411 kbps (lossless) | 256 kbps (standard tier) | |
| Song Library Size(million songs) | 110+ million | — | — |
| Monthly Premium Subscription Cost(USD) | $10.99 | — | — |
| Monthly Premium Price (Base Tier)(USD) | $10.99 | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium Tier)(USD) | $12.99 | $14.99 | |
| Hi-Fi/Lossless Audio Tier Cost(USD/month) | $22.99 | — | — |
| Estimated Artist Payout Per Stream(USD) | $0.01284 | — | — |
| Total Tracks in Catalog(millions) | 100 million | — | — |
| Supported Lossless Formats(count) | FLAC, MQA, WAV (3 formats) | — | — |
| Geographic Markets Supported(countries) | 50+ | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Price (Standard Tier)(USD) | $10.99/month (Premium) or $14.99/month (HiFi Plus) | — | — |
| Annual Premium Cost with All Benefits(USD) | $120/year (HiFi Plus annual discount) | — | — |
| Music Catalog Size(millions of tracks) | 100+ million | 100+ million | |
| Estimated Global Subscribers(million) | ~3 million | — | — |
| Per-Stream Artist Payment(USD per stream) | $0.0084 | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Tier)(USD) | $14.99 | $14.99 (or $9.99 with Prime) | |
| Total Music Library(million tracks) | 100+ | 100+ | |
| Paid Subscribers (2024)(millions) | 3 million | 100+ million (including Prime) | |
| Offline Downloads Limit(tracks) | 10,000 (HiFi+) | Unlimited (with limits per device) | — |
| Monthly Premium Cost(USD) | $23.99 (HiFi+) | $11.99 (standalone) | |
| Song Catalog(millions) | 70.7 million | 100+ million | |
| Max Audio Bit Depth(bits) | 24-bit lossless | 16-bit lossy (256kbps) | |
| Max Sample Rate(kHz) | 192 kHz | 48 kHz | |
| Artist Payout Per Stream(USD cents) | 1.284 cents | 0.3-0.5 cents | |
| Global Subscribers(millions) | 6.4 million | 70+ million | |
| Voice Control Integration(smart devices) | Limited (select devices) | 200+ Amazon & Alexa devices | — |
| Standard Tier Monthly Cost(USD) | $12.99 | — | — |
| Premium Audio Tier Cost(USD) | $22.99 (HiFi) | — | — |
| Artist Payout Per Stream (Mid-range)(USD) | $0.016 | — | — |
| Offline Download Limit(songs) | Unlimited | 4 devices, 100 songs per device | — |
| Family Plan Price (6 users)(USD) | $29.99 | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Standalone)(USD) | $10.99 (free with Prime) | $10.99 (free with Prime) | |
| Offline Download Capacity(songs) | 100,000 songs | 100,000 songs | |
| Compatible Smart Speakers(device types) | 100+ Alexa devices | 100+ Alexa devices | |
| Cross-Platform Support | iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, web, 500+ devices | iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, web, 500+ devices | |
| Lossless Audio Bitrate(kbps) | 850 kbps spatial audio | 850 kbps spatial audio | |
| Standard Tier Audio Bitrate(kbps) | 128 kbps AAC | 128 kbps AAC | |
| Annual Family Plan Cost(USD) | $139-179 (6 accounts with Prime) | $139-179 (6 accounts with Prime) | |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 30 days (rotational for Prime members) | 30 days (rotational for Prime members) | |
| Monthly Subscription Price (Individual)(USD) | $10.99 | $10.99 | |
| Paid Subscriber Base(millions) | 55 million | 55 million | |
| Annual Prime/YouTube Premium Bundle Cost(USD) | $119 (Prime includes music + shipping + Prime Video) | $119 (Prime includes music + shipping + Prime Video) | |
| Monthly Subscription Price (Standard)(USD) | $5.99/month (with Prime) or $10.99 (standalone) | $5.99/month (with Prime) or $10.99 (standalone) | |
| Total Song Catalog(millions) | 100+ million songs | 100+ million songs | |
| Spatial Audio Tracks(millions) | 10+ million tracks | 10+ million tracks | |
| Compatible Smart Devices(device types) | 8,000+ Alexa-compatible devices | 8,000+ Alexa-compatible devices | |
| Family Plan Cost(USD/month) | $14.99/month (6 accounts via Prime) | $14.99/month (6 accounts via Prime) | |
| Audio Quality Max Bitrate(kbps) | 320 kbps (MP3) with Unlimited tier | 320 kbps (MP3) with Unlimited tier | |
| Individual Monthly Subscription(USD) | $10.99 | $10.99 | |
| Family Plan (6 users)(USD/month) | $15.49 | $15.49 | |
| Song Catalog Size(millions) | 100+ | 100+ | |
| Years Operating(years) | 10 years (since 2016) | 10 years (since 2016) | |
| Monthly Premium Price(USD) | $10.99 | $10.99 | |
| Prime Member Price(USD) | Free with Prime | Free with Prime | |
| Maximum Lossless Audio Bitrate(kbps) | 3,730 (Ultra HD) | 3,730 (Ultra HD) | |
| Offline Downloads (Mobile)(song limit) | 100 songs per device | 100 songs per device | |
| Family Plan Member Limit(profiles) | 6 profiles | 6 profiles | |
| Individual Monthly Price(USD) | $11.99 (or $2.99 with Prime) | $11.99 (or $2.99 with Prime) | |
| Family Plan Price (6 members)(USD/month) | Included with Prime ($14.99/mo) | Included with Prime ($14.99/mo) | |
| Global Active Users(millions) | 200+ million | 200+ million | |
| Compatible Device Types(device types) | 200+ | 200+ | |
| Premium Subscription Cost(USD/month) | $11.99 | $11.99 | |
| Maximum Bitrate(kbps) | 256 kbps | 256 kbps | |
| Family Plan Monthly Cost(USD/month) | $19.99 | $19.99 |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
T
3TidalAmazon Music leads
AM
4Amazon MusicTidal
Attribute
Amazon Music
- Lossless FLAC & MQA hi-fi (24-bit/192kHz)(winner)Audio Quality FocusStandard AAC 256kbps (lossy compression)
- 70.7 million tracksSong Catalog Size100+ million tracks(winner)
- $23.99/month (HiFi+)Premium Tier Cost$11.99/month (standalone)(winner)
- $0.01284 per stream (highest in industry)(winner)Artist Payout$0.003-0.005 per stream
- None (separate service)Prime IntegrationIncluded free with Prime ($14.99/month)(winner)
- Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd exclusives(winner)Exclusive ContentLimited exclusive releases
- 6.4 million subscribersUser Base (2024)70+ million subscribers(winner)
- Audio Quality Focus
Tidal
Lossless FLAC & MQA hi-fi (24-bit/192kHz)(winner)
Amazon Music
Standard AAC 256kbps (lossy compression)
- Song Catalog Size
Tidal
70.7 million tracks
Amazon Music
100+ million tracks(winner)
- Premium Tier Cost
Tidal
$23.99/month (HiFi+)
Amazon Music
$11.99/month (standalone)(winner)
- Artist Payout
Tidal
$0.01284 per stream (highest in industry)(winner)
Amazon Music
$0.003-0.005 per stream
- Prime Integration
Tidal
None (separate service)
Amazon Music
Included free with Prime ($14.99/month)(winner)
- Exclusive Content
Tidal
Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd exclusives(winner)
Amazon Music
Limited exclusive releases
- User Base (2024)
Tidal
6.4 million subscribers
Amazon Music
70+ million subscribers(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Tidal | Amazon Music |
|---|---|---|
| Offline Download Support | All tiers | — |
| Discovery Algorithm Rating(scale) | Good (Spotlight Program) | — |
| AI Playlist Generation | Not available | — |
| Music Purchase / Ownership Option(availability) | Streaming only | — |
| Record Label Search Filter(availability) | Not available | — |
Show 14 more attributesDesktop Download Support Mobile only — YouTube Integration No — Offline Download Feature Yes, available on all paid tiers — Offline Downloads Limit(tracks) 10,000 (HiFi+) Unlimited (with limits per device) Voice Control Integration(smart devices) Limited (select devices) 200+ Amazon & Alexa devices Offline Download Limit(songs) Unlimited 4 devices, 100 songs per device Offline Download Capacity(songs) 100,000 songs — Official Music Videos Included No — Voice Assistant Integration Alexa (200M+ Echo devices) — Music Video Integration Not available — Offline Downloads Per Device(tracks) Unlimited — Offline Downloads (Mobile)(song limit) 100 songs per device — Family Plan Member Limit(profiles) 6 profiles — Offline Downloads on Free Tier Yes — | ||
| Supported Devices | Multi-platform (limited partners) | — |
| Apple Ecosystem Integration | Limited | — |
| Cross-Platform Availability(platforms) | iOS, Android, Web, Desktop, Windows | — |
| Cross-Device Compatibility(rating) | Excellent across platforms | — |
| Cross-Platform Support | iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, web, 500+ devices | — |
Show 1 more attributeCompatible Device Types(device types) 200+ — | ||
| Social Sharing Features | Basic sharing | — |
| Per-Stream Artist Payout(cents) | $0.01284 | — |
| Artist Royalty Per Stream(USD) | $0.0168 | — |
| Estimated Artist Payout Per Stream(USD) | $0.01284 | — |
| Video Content Library | Integrated music videos | — |
| Total Music Catalog(millions) | 100+ | — |
| Music Library Size(million songs) | 100+ | — |
| Total Music Catalog(millions of songs) | Over 100 million | 100+ million |
| Music Library Size(millions of tracks) | 100+ million | 100+ million |
Show 6 more attributesSong Library Size(million songs) 110+ million — Total Music Library(million tracks) 100+ 100+ Song Catalog(millions) 70.7 million 100+ million Total Song Catalog(millions) 100+ million songs — Song Catalog Size(millions) 100+ — Music Video Catalog Size(millions) Limited selection — | ||
| Maximum Audio Bitrate(kbps) | 320 (MQA Hi-Res) | — |
| Lossless Audio Support | Yes (HiFi tier) | — |
| Lossless Audio Maximum Quality(bit/kHz) | 24-bit/192 kHz (via MQA) | — |
| Web Player Maximum Bitrate(kbps) | 9216 kbps (Dolby Atmos) | — |
| CD-Quality Lossless Support(bit-depth / sample rate) | 16-bit / 44.1kHz (HiFi tier) | — |
Show 17 more attributesSpatial Audio (Dolby Atmos) Yes (HiFi+ tier) Ultra tier only Maximum Audio Bitrate(kbps) 1411 kbps (lossless) 256 kbps (standard tier) HiFi/Lossless Audio Support Yes (HiFi on all tiers) — Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio Yes (all subscribers) — Lossless Audio Support Yes (16-bit/44.1kHz minimum) — Max Audio Bit Depth(bits) 24-bit lossless 16-bit lossy (256kbps) Max Sample Rate(kHz) 192 kHz 48 kHz Spatial Audio Support Not available — Lossless Audio Bitrate(kbps) 850 kbps spatial audio — Standard Tier Audio Bitrate(kbps) 128 kbps AAC — Spatial Audio/Dolby Atmos Support Yes (Ultra HD tier) — Spatial Audio Tracks(millions) 10+ million tracks — Audio Quality Max Bitrate(kbps) 320 kbps (MP3) with Unlimited tier — Lossless Audio Included Ultra tier only ($14.99/month extra) — Maximum Lossless Audio Bitrate(kbps) 3,730 (Ultra HD) — Maximum Streaming Quality(kbps / bitrate) Lossless 16-bit/44.1kHz (1,411 kbps equivalent) — Maximum Bitrate(kbps) 256 kbps — | ||
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium Tier)(USD) | $12.99-14.99 | — |
| Free Tier Availability | None | — |
| Base Paid Subscription Price(USD/month) | $10.99/month | — |
| Subscription Tier Options(number of plans) | 2-3 tiers | — |
| Monthly Premium Subscription Cost(USD) | $10.99 | — |
Show 27 more attributesMonthly Premium Price (Base Tier)(USD) $10.99 — Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium Tier)(USD) $12.99 $14.99 Hi-Fi/Lossless Audio Tier Cost(USD/month) $22.99 — Monthly Subscription Price (Standard Tier)(USD) $10.99/month (Premium) or $14.99/month (HiFi Plus) — Annual Premium Cost with All Benefits(USD) $120/year (HiFi Plus annual discount) — Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Tier)(USD) $14.99 $14.99 (or $9.99 with Prime) Monthly Premium Cost(USD) $23.99 (HiFi+) $11.99 (standalone) Standard Tier Monthly Cost(USD) $12.99 — Premium Audio Tier Cost(USD) $22.99 (HiFi) — Family Plan Price (6 users)(USD) $29.99 — Monthly Subscription Cost (Standalone)(USD) $10.99 (free with Prime) — Free Tier Option Yes (ad-supported with Prime) — Annual Family Plan Cost(USD) $139-179 (6 accounts with Prime) — Monthly Subscription Price (Individual)(USD) $10.99 — Annual Prime/YouTube Premium Bundle Cost(USD) $119 (Prime includes music + shipping + Prime Video) — Monthly Subscription Price (Standard)(USD) $5.99/month (with Prime) or $10.99 (standalone) — Family Plan Cost(USD/month) $14.99/month (6 accounts via Prime) — Individual Monthly Subscription(USD) $10.99 — Family Plan (6 users)(USD/month) $15.49 — Monthly Premium Price(USD) $10.99 — Ad-Supported Tier Price(USD) Not available — Prime Member Price(USD) Free with Prime — Individual Monthly Price(USD) $11.99 (or $2.99 with Prime) — Family Plan Price (6 members)(USD/month) Included with Prime ($14.99/mo) — Free Tier Availability(text) Echo device owners only — Premium Subscription Cost(USD/month) $11.99 — Family Plan Monthly Cost(USD/month) $19.99 — | ||
| Global Active Users(millions) | ~3 | — |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | Undisclosed | — |
| Global Subscribers(millions) | 6.4 million | 70+ million(winner) |
| Premium Subscribers(millions) | Estimated 5-10 | — |
| Global Market Share(%) | ~5 | — |
| Per-Stream Artist Payment(USD) | $0.007-$0.013 | — |
| Per-Stream Artist Payment(USD per stream) | $0.0084 | — |
| Audio Quality | Lossless HiFi + MQA | — |
| Quarterly Revenue (2025)(billion EUR) | Undisclosed | — |
| Free Tier Quality | Limited/Ad-based | — |
| Free Tier Available | No | — |
| Artist Page Song Visibility | Limited visibility | — |
| User Interface Modernity(rating) | Modern, streamlined design | — |
| UI Redesign (2026) | Standard interface | — |
| Ad-Free Free Tier | Yes (all free tier) | — |
| Maximum Audio Quality(kbps/bit-depth) | HiRes FLAC (9216 kbps) | — |
| Spatial Audio Support (Dolby Atmos) | Yes, all tiers | — |
| Artist Payment Per Stream(USD) | $0.01284(winner) | $0.00402 |
| Artist Payout Structure | Artist-first model (higher payouts) | — |
| Total Tracks in Catalog(millions) | 100 million | — |
| Music Videos Available(millions) | Limited (embedded from partners) | — |
| Music Catalog Size(millions of tracks) | 100+ million | 100+ million |
| Video Content Included | Limited (Rising videos only) | Extensive (4K videos, concerts, Wondery docs) |
| Catalog Size(million songs) | 100+ | — |
| Supported Lossless Formats(count) | FLAC, MQA, WAV (3 formats) | — |
| Geographic Markets Supported(countries) | 50+ | — |
| Estimated Global Subscribers(million) | ~3 million | — |
| Paid Subscribers (2024)(millions) | 3 million | 100+ million (including Prime)(winner) |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | 3 million | — |
| Artist Payout Per Stream(USD cents) | 1.284 cents(winner) | 0.3-0.5 cents |
| Artist Payout Per Stream (Mid-range)(USD) | $0.016 | — |
| Compatible Smart Speakers(device types) | 100+ Alexa devices | — |
| Compatible Smart Devices(device types) | 8,000+ Alexa-compatible devices | — |
| Smart Speaker Compatibility(platforms) | All Alexa devices (100+ million) | — |
| Free Trial Length(days) | 30 days (rotational for Prime members) | — |
| Paid Subscriber Base(millions) | 55 million | — |
| Global Active Users(millions) | 200+ million | — |
| Years Operating(years) | 10 years (since 2016) | — |
| Prime Member Inclusion | Included in Prime | — |
TTidal
AAmazon Music
Offline Download Support
All tiers
—
Discovery Algorithm Rating(scale)
Good (Spotlight Program)
—
AI Playlist Generation
Not available
—
Music Purchase / Ownership Option(availability)
Streaming only
—
Record Label Search Filter(availability)
Not available
—
Show 14 more attributes
Desktop Download Support
Mobile only
—
YouTube Integration
No
—
Offline Download Feature
Yes, available on all paid tiers
—
Offline Downloads Limit(tracks)
10,000 (HiFi+)
Unlimited (with limits per device)
Voice Control Integration(smart devices)
Limited (select devices)
200+ Amazon & Alexa devices
Offline Download Limit(songs)
Unlimited
4 devices, 100 songs per device
Offline Download Capacity(songs)
100,000 songs
—
Official Music Videos Included
No
—
Voice Assistant Integration
Alexa (200M+ Echo devices)
—
Music Video Integration
Not available
—
Offline Downloads Per Device(tracks)
Unlimited
—
Offline Downloads (Mobile)(song limit)
100 songs per device
—
Family Plan Member Limit(profiles)
6 profiles
—
Offline Downloads on Free Tier
Yes
—
Supported Devices
Multi-platform (limited partners)
—
Apple Ecosystem Integration
Limited
—
Cross-Platform Availability(platforms)
iOS, Android, Web, Desktop, Windows
—
Cross-Device Compatibility(rating)
Excellent across platforms
—
Cross-Platform Support
iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, web, 500+ devices
—
Show 1 more attribute
Compatible Device Types(device types)
200+
—
Social Sharing Features
Basic sharing
—
Per-Stream Artist Payout(cents)
$0.01284
—
Artist Royalty Per Stream(USD)
$0.0168
—
Estimated Artist Payout Per Stream(USD)
$0.01284
—
Video Content Library
Integrated music videos
—
Total Music Catalog(millions)
100+
—
Music Library Size(million songs)
100+
—
Total Music Catalog(millions of songs)
Over 100 million
100+ million
Music Library Size(millions of tracks)
100+ million
100+ million
Show 6 more attributes
Song Library Size(million songs)
110+ million
—
Total Music Library(million tracks)
100+
100+
Song Catalog(millions)
70.7 million
100+ million
Total Song Catalog(millions)
100+ million songs
—
Song Catalog Size(millions)
100+
—
Music Video Catalog Size(millions)
Limited selection
—
Maximum Audio Bitrate(kbps)
320 (MQA Hi-Res)
—
Lossless Audio Support
Yes (HiFi tier)
—
Lossless Audio Maximum Quality(bit/kHz)
24-bit/192 kHz (via MQA)
—
Web Player Maximum Bitrate(kbps)
9216 kbps (Dolby Atmos)
—
CD-Quality Lossless Support(bit-depth / sample rate)
16-bit / 44.1kHz (HiFi tier)
—
Show 17 more attributes
Spatial Audio (Dolby Atmos)
Yes (HiFi+ tier)
Ultra tier only
Maximum Audio Bitrate(kbps)
1411 kbps (lossless)
256 kbps (standard tier)
HiFi/Lossless Audio Support
Yes (HiFi on all tiers)
—
Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio
Yes (all subscribers)
—
Lossless Audio Support
Yes (16-bit/44.1kHz minimum)
—
Max Audio Bit Depth(bits)
24-bit lossless
16-bit lossy (256kbps)
Max Sample Rate(kHz)
192 kHz
48 kHz
Spatial Audio Support
Not available
—
Lossless Audio Bitrate(kbps)
850 kbps spatial audio
—
Standard Tier Audio Bitrate(kbps)
128 kbps AAC
—
Spatial Audio/Dolby Atmos Support
Yes (Ultra HD tier)
—
Spatial Audio Tracks(millions)
10+ million tracks
—
Audio Quality Max Bitrate(kbps)
320 kbps (MP3) with Unlimited tier
—
Lossless Audio Included
Ultra tier only ($14.99/month extra)
—
Maximum Lossless Audio Bitrate(kbps)
3,730 (Ultra HD)
—
Maximum Streaming Quality(kbps / bitrate)
Lossless 16-bit/44.1kHz (1,411 kbps equivalent)
—
Maximum Bitrate(kbps)
256 kbps
—
Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium Tier)(USD)
$12.99-14.99
—
Free Tier Availability
None
—
Base Paid Subscription Price(USD/month)
$10.99/month
—
Subscription Tier Options(number of plans)
2-3 tiers
—
Monthly Premium Subscription Cost(USD)
$10.99
—
Show 27 more attributes
Monthly Premium Price (Base Tier)(USD)
$10.99
—
Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium Tier)(USD)
$12.99
$14.99
Hi-Fi/Lossless Audio Tier Cost(USD/month)
$22.99
—
Monthly Subscription Price (Standard Tier)(USD)
$10.99/month (Premium) or $14.99/month (HiFi Plus)
—
Annual Premium Cost with All Benefits(USD)
$120/year (HiFi Plus annual discount)
—
Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Tier)(USD)
$14.99
$14.99 (or $9.99 with Prime)
Monthly Premium Cost(USD)
$23.99 (HiFi+)
$11.99 (standalone)
Standard Tier Monthly Cost(USD)
$12.99
—
Premium Audio Tier Cost(USD)
$22.99 (HiFi)
—
Family Plan Price (6 users)(USD)
$29.99
—
Monthly Subscription Cost (Standalone)(USD)
$10.99 (free with Prime)
—
Free Tier Option
Yes (ad-supported with Prime)
—
Annual Family Plan Cost(USD)
$139-179 (6 accounts with Prime)
—
Monthly Subscription Price (Individual)(USD)
$10.99
—
Annual Prime/YouTube Premium Bundle Cost(USD)
$119 (Prime includes music + shipping + Prime Video)
—
Monthly Subscription Price (Standard)(USD)
$5.99/month (with Prime) or $10.99 (standalone)
—
Family Plan Cost(USD/month)
$14.99/month (6 accounts via Prime)
—
Individual Monthly Subscription(USD)
$10.99
—
Family Plan (6 users)(USD/month)
$15.49
—
Monthly Premium Price(USD)
$10.99
—
Ad-Supported Tier Price(USD)
Not available
—
Prime Member Price(USD)
Free with Prime
—
Individual Monthly Price(USD)
$11.99 (or $2.99 with Prime)
—
Family Plan Price (6 members)(USD/month)
Included with Prime ($14.99/mo)
—
Free Tier Availability(text)
Echo device owners only
—
Premium Subscription Cost(USD/month)
$11.99
—
Family Plan Monthly Cost(USD/month)
$19.99
—
Global Active Users(millions)
~3
—
Monthly Active Users(millions)
Undisclosed
—
Global Subscribers(millions)
6.4 million
70+ million
Premium Subscribers(millions)
Estimated 5-10
—
Global Market Share(%)
~5
—
Per-Stream Artist Payment(USD)
$0.007-$0.013
—
Per-Stream Artist Payment(USD per stream)
$0.0084
—
Audio Quality
Lossless HiFi + MQA
—
Quarterly Revenue (2025)(billion EUR)
Undisclosed
—
Free Tier Quality
Limited/Ad-based
—
Free Tier Available
No
—
Artist Page Song Visibility
Limited visibility
—
User Interface Modernity(rating)
Modern, streamlined design
—
UI Redesign (2026)
Standard interface
—
Ad-Free Free Tier
Yes (all free tier)
—
Maximum Audio Quality(kbps/bit-depth)
HiRes FLAC (9216 kbps)
—
Spatial Audio Support (Dolby Atmos)
Yes, all tiers
—
Artist Payment Per Stream(USD)
$0.01284
$0.00402
Artist Payout Structure
Artist-first model (higher payouts)
—
Total Tracks in Catalog(millions)
100 million
—
Music Videos Available(millions)
Limited (embedded from partners)
—
Music Catalog Size(millions of tracks)
100+ million
100+ million
Video Content Included
Limited (Rising videos only)
Extensive (4K videos, concerts, Wondery docs)
Catalog Size(million songs)
100+
—
Supported Lossless Formats(count)
FLAC, MQA, WAV (3 formats)
—
Geographic Markets Supported(countries)
50+
—
Estimated Global Subscribers(million)
~3 million
—
Paid Subscribers (2024)(millions)
3 million
100+ million (including Prime)
Monthly Active Users(millions)
3 million
—
Artist Payout Per Stream(USD cents)
1.284 cents
0.3-0.5 cents
Artist Payout Per Stream (Mid-range)(USD)
$0.016
—
Compatible Smart Speakers(device types)
100+ Alexa devices
—
Compatible Smart Devices(device types)
8,000+ Alexa-compatible devices
—
Smart Speaker Compatibility(platforms)
All Alexa devices (100+ million)
—
Free Trial Length(days)
30 days (rotational for Prime members)
—
Paid Subscriber Base(millions)
55 million
—
Global Active Users(millions)
200+ million
—
Years Operating(years)
10 years (since 2016)
—
Prime Member Inclusion
Included in Prime
—
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
T
AM
T
Tidal
+5-3
Pros
- Lossless FLAC audio at up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution with HiFi+ tier
- Highest artist payout rate at $0.01284 per stream (3-4x industry average)
- Exclusive content partnerships with Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd
- Personalized algorithmic playlists with MoodPlaylists AI feature
- Integrated music videos and music documentaries included
Cons
- Smallest subscriber base (6.4M) limits playlist discovery diversity and social features
- HiFi+ tier at $23.99/month is 2x the cost of standard competitors
- Requires higher bandwidth (20+ Mbps) for lossless streaming, impractical on mobile
AM
Amazon Music
+5-3
Pros
- Free with Amazon Prime ($14.99/month) - adds massive value for existing members
- 100+ million track catalog (43% larger than Tidal)
- Ultra HD tier available at no extra cost with select devices
- Seamless Alexa voice control integration across 200+ Amazon device types
- Affordable standalone at $11.99/month or $119/year (50% cheaper than Tidal Premium)
Cons
- Standard tier uses 256kbps AAC lossy compression (audibly inferior to lossless)
- Artist payouts of $0.003-0.005 per stream are among the industry's lowest
- Weaker exclusive content strategy compared to Spotify and Tidal
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Yes, on quality speakers/headphones. Tidal HiFi delivers lossless FLAC (24-bit/192kHz) while Amazon Music standard uses 256kbps lossy AAC compression. Most casual listeners on phone speakers won't notice, but audiophiles with $300+ headphones or home systems will hear crisper detail, wider soundstage, and fuller bass in Tidal. Blind listening tests show trained ears detect differences 70% of the time.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
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Wikipedia
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