Summary
It is possible that Spotify and Apple Music are the most popular music streaming services in the world; nevertheless, services such as Tidal and Qobuz provide a greater degree of listening opportunities and a multitude of wonderful features to anybody who is considering making a move. Each provides high-resolution audio and can be accessed on mobile devices as well as desktop computers. Because of a recent change in Tidal subscriptions, the costs of the two services are now extremely close to one another, with the exception of the fact that one of them is somewhat less expensive.
In order to establish which platform is superior, we will compare Tidal and Qobuz based on the pricing, sound quality, and devices that are supported via this comparison.
Tidal vs. Qobuz: The cost
One of the features that Tidal and Qobuz have had in common for a considerable amount of time is the high-resolution music that Tidal provides. However, the environment has shifted, and now other providers such as Apple Music and Amazon Music (and maybe Spotify will follow suit in the near future) have entered the high-resolution music arena.
It is quite probable that Tidal’s pricing reductions and modifications to its subscriptions in April 2024 are the result of the company’s loss of near exclusivity on the high-resolution front. In the beginning, Tidal provided more expensive HiFi and HiFi Plus subscriptions to its customers. However, as of today, it offers plans that are more comparable to the prices that other services charge, and these plans continue to play music in high-resolution formats.
The new Tidal options include a student plan that costs $5 per month, a family plan that costs $17 per month (which covers up to six family members), and an individual plan that costs $11 per month. The free Tidal plan is no longer available to users. For DJs, Tidal is an additional $9 per month that is added to the individual plan. The DJ software is able to provide DJs with direct access to Tidal’s catalog when they subscribe to this plan.
You get access to more than 110 million music in lossless, high-resolution FLAC, and Dolby Atmos formats if you subscribe to any of the aforementioned streaming services. Offline listening, tailored mixes, editorial playlists, and live sessions are made available by the service that does not include advertisements.
If you are new to Tidal, you may take advantage of a free trial that lasts for thirty days. During this time, you will have access to Tidal’s complete repertoire of lossless, ad-free music and streaming services at no additional cost.
Studio and Sublime are the two major versions of the subscription programs that Qobuz offers. These plans each consist of three different levels. For singles, the Studio plan costs thirteen dollars per month; for couples, it costs eighteen dollars per month; and for families, it costs twenty-two dollars per month for up to six people living in the same home. There are savings of up to 18% available on each plan if you pay an annual subscription fee. One example is that a Studio Solo account may be acquired for a one-year subscription fee of $130, which is equivalent to $10.83 per month in payments.
In addition to that, a membership to Qobuz Sublime is offered. Similar to the studio concept, it has three different levels. There are three different types of plans that must be paid annually: solo ($180 per year), pair ($270 per year), and family ($350 per year).
With the Studio and Sublime plans, users get access to Qobuz’s collection, which has more than 100 million songs in lossless FLAC format with excellent resolution. Offline listening, the creation of customized mixes, editorial playlists, and other features are included in the service. With Sublime, you get all of the same basic benefits as Studio, in addition to a discount of up to sixty percent on high-resolution downloads.
There are no free or student plans available with Qobuz. Nevertheless, new customers are able to test out the service for free for a period of thirty days.
Tidal is more affordable than Qobuz, provides access to a more comprehensive library, and provides a platform that caters to students. In terms of pricing comparisons, Tidal is the undisputed market leader.
A victor is Tidal.
Tidal vs. Qobuz: Devices that are supported
Tidal is accessible on desktop computers as well as mobile devices for use via its website and mobile applications. Sonos, Bluesound, Denon, Cambridge Audio, and a great number of other audio devices are among those that are compatible with this product. Tidal is also accessible on smart TVs manufactured by Vizio and Samsung, as well as those manufactured by Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, Android TV, and Fire TV. The audio systems of Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen all come equipped with it already installed, and it is compatible with both Android Auto and CarPlay.
It is possible to access Qobuz via its official website, as well as through desktop and mobile applications. Additionally, the brand is supported by a large number of audio hardware manufacturers, such as Devialet, Klipsch, Naim, Sonos, and McIntosh, amongst others. Qobuz is compatible with Chromecast and comes pre-installed on Samsung televisions of later models. As an additional option, you may access Qobuz via CarPlay and Android Auto.
There are a variety of devices that can access both of the streaming music plans, including mobile devices, desktop computers, higher-end audio systems, and automotive audio systems. Tidal, on the other hand, is more generally available since it can be used on certain auto entertainment systems, smart TVs, and television entertainment systems.
A victor is Tidal.
Tidal vs. Qobuz: The catalog’s vastness and the range of music
The number of song titles available on Tidal is 110 million, whereas Qobuz only has 100 million. If you dig hard enough, you will surely be able to locate the extras that Tidal offers, but it would be quite difficult to avoid discovering the most popular songs across a variety of genres on any of the two services. On the other hand, when it comes to curation, the services use a variety of approaches.
In addition to catering to various genres, Tidal places a strong emphasis on presenting the material that is most relevant to each individual user. As soon as you sign up for Tidal, the service will begin to learn about your musical tastes and will begin to create a personalized experience that is tailored just to you. This personalized touch extends to the library of selected playlists and editorial material that you will encounter when using Tidal, which will make you feel as if you are really respected as a music fan.
Tidal Rising gives users all around the world instant access to material created by up-and-coming musicians, making it an ideal platform for those who are interested in discovering new music. In addition, Tidal provides you with access to exclusive interviews as well as a vast video collection, which enhances the overall quality of your listening experience.
From the point of view of curation, Tidal does an excellent job at tailoring music to a variety of states of mind, activities, and occasions. In addition to the DJ add-on that was described before, you can also discover playlists that are suitable for yoga and other wellness-related activities, hits that span many genres, staff selections, and a limited selection of podcasts.
Although it provides music from a wide variety of genres, Qobuz is mostly focused on jazz, classical music, and other genres that are related. The in-depth editorial information that Qobuz provides, which includes album reviews, artist interviews, and digital booklets, contributes to the enhancement of your personal experience. As a result of this richness of knowledge, you will feel richer and better educated about the music that you like listening to.
In the year 2024, Qobuz will provide something that is really one of a kind by focusing a portion of its attention on the concept that some individuals still choose to purchase music. This means that it gives both subscribers and non-subscribers access to music that can be downloaded and purchased, respectively. The offered music titles might be discounted by as much as sixty percent for those who have a subscription to Sublime.
Because of the restricted scope of the service, it comes with a Qobuz Magazine that is integrated right in. This magazine showcases handpicked material, which includes articles and media that are connected to the topic. A number of useful instructions on using Qobuz’s capabilities and gaining a grasp of audio codecs are also included in the magazine.
The Qobuz Club is available for anyone who are interested in experiencing a deeper level of absorption. It is currently only available via the Qobuz website, which is the sole option. With the Qobuz Club, users have the opportunity to interact with other people who share their passion for music and gain knowledge about listening to music of higher quality. They also have the ability to interact with Qobuz about any difficulties or complaints they may have via the forum.
At the beginning of April 2024, you will be able to sign up for the Qobuz Club VIP. The annual membership fee is $64 and includes extra perks such as priority customer service and preferential pricing on products and services.
A victor is Tidal.
Tidal vs. Qobuz: High-quality sound
When listening to music online, it is essential to have a complete understanding of the high-resolution track formats. As an example, Tidal provides high-resolution FLAC and MQA formats, with high-resolution FLAC now gaining more and more popularity. This indicates that you will have a greater chance of encountering recordings that are 24-bit or 192 kHz. It’s possible that some are at 16-bit/44.1 kHz or 24-bit/96 kHz. When a track is not available in high-resolution FLAC or MQA, it will be released in FLAC or AAC instead.
Qobuz also provides albums and tracks with a 24-bit/192 kHz resolution. It is possible that you may come across titles in 24-bit/up to 96 kHz and CD quality (16-bit/44.1 kHz), depending on the availability of these formats.
Whether you are using a desktop computer or a mobile app, both services will recognize the sort of high-resolution that is being played on each and every track.
Remember that the components of the audio delivery chain, such as the digital-to-analog converter (DAC), amplifier, and speakers or headphones, have a significant impact on the quality of high-resolution audio. This is a vital fact to keep in mind. It is possible that you will not be able to completely enjoy high-quality audio as it was meant to be experienced if any of these components are of poor quality or are not compatible with high-resolution audio.
Does Dolby Atmos come into play? Dolby Atmos is a technology that provides surround sound and is presently being used by a few providers. Specifically, it generates a three-dimensional soundscape in which sounds may travel around, above, and behind you. In the same way that basic audio quality requires supporting equipment, Dolby Atmos requires it as well. Only Tidal is compatible with Dolby Atmos; the other service is Qobuz.
It is tough to judge which service is superior than the other since both Tidal and Qobuz provide superb sound quality. Tidal has a competitive advantage due to the fact that it supports Dolby Atmos.
A victor is Tidal.
Tidal vs. Qobuz: Videos as well as podcasts
A number of businesses, like Apple and Spotify, have focused their attention specifically on the podcast sector. Nevertheless, Tidal and Qobuz have not made as much of an investment in this sector. Tidal provides users with access to a limited selection of handpicked podcasts, the majority of which are centered on topics linked to music. On the other hand, in contrast to other media streaming platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, it does not provide a comprehensive collection of podcasts. At this moment, the Qobuz app does not include any podcasts in its content library.
In terms of video material, Tidal provides more than 650,000 titles, the majority of which are used for the purpose of finding music or hand-picking artists. In contrast, Qobuz does not provide any videos for its users to watch.
In the end, Tidal emerged victorious.
Tidal vs. Qobuz: Final Thoughts
The music streaming services Tidal and Qobuz are both good alternatives to more comprehensive music streaming services such as Apple Music and Spotify. However, Tidal is the service that comes the closest to having material that is comparable in general. Tidal, in contrast to Qobuz, does not focus on catering to certain musical genres. Its objective is to make available to all users a wide range of information, which includes music videos and podcasts, among other things. Tidal is also more affordable than Qobuz, and it provides a student plan for its users.
It is recommended that you go with Qobuz if you are particularly interested in jazz or classical music, or if you want to learn more about these types of music. Due to the fact that you may get considerable savings by subscribing to at least one of its plans, it is also the choice that is recommended for everyone who is interested in acquiring music that falls into those categories.
This year’s victor is Tidal.
