Tidal
by TIDAL Music AS · Music & Audio · Streaming
High-fidelity music streaming service with lossless and master quality audio.
Quick Answer: Tidal has a verified Real Score of 3.9/5 based on 21,000 verified reviews, compared to its App Store rating of 4.4/5. Mixed reviews from verified users.
Real Score vs App Store Rating
App Store Rating
Includes unverified reviews
Verified Real Score
Based on 21,000 verified reviews
Gap Alert: Tidal's App Store rating is 0.5 points higher than its verified Real Score. This suggests that some store reviews may be inflated by fake or incentivized ratings.
Pros & Cons
What Users Love
- Best audio quality
- Dolby Atmos support
- Better artist payouts
- Exclusive content
Common Complaints
- Higher price
- Smaller user base
- Discovery not as good
- Some features require HiFi Plus
Verified Reviews (20)
The audiophile's paradise
MQA Master quality, lossless FLAC, and Dolby Atmos. Through proper headphones or speakers, Tidal's audio quality is audibly superior. If sound quality is your priority, nothing else compares.
Artist-first model matters
Tidal pays 2-3x more per stream than Spotify. Supporting a platform that fairly compensates artists aligns my spending with my values. The music ecosystem needs platforms like Tidal.
$11 for HiFi is competitive now
Tidal reduced prices and the HiFi tier at $11/month with lossless audio is competitive with Spotify and Apple Music. The audiophile premium used to be steep; now it's minimal.
Direct artist payouts are unique
The artist fan-centered royalty model means a portion of your subscription goes directly to artists you actually listen to. Not pooled and divided by total streams. Fairer for everyone.
Discovery is Tidal's weakness
The recommendation algorithm isn't as sophisticated as Spotify's. Finding new music feels like more work. The curated playlists are decent but personalization could be better.
DJ mixes and transitions
Tidal's DJ mix integration plays continuous mixes where songs blend into each other seamlessly. For electronic music fans, this uninterrupted mix experience is exactly right.
Connect features for social listening
Following artists for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, early releases, and direct communication. The artist-fan connection features go beyond just streaming music.
Smaller catalog for niche genres
While major artists are well-covered, niche genres, indie artists, and regional music have gaps. Spotify and Apple Music have broader coverage for less mainstream content.
Spatial Audio is worth experiencing
Dolby Atmos tracks on Tidal through spatial audio headphones create an immersive listening experience. The mix places instruments in 3D space around you. Albums meant for Atmos are revelatory.
Video content is a nice bonus
Music videos, concert films, and behind-the-scenes documentaries are included. The video content adds dimension beyond audio-only streaming.
Social features are limited
No collaborative playlists, no Wrapped-style year review, no friend activity. Tidal focuses on audio quality over social features, which means fewer shareable moments.
Credits show who made the music
Detailed credits showing producers, writers, engineers, and musicians for each track. Understanding who created the music adds appreciation. This attention to credits respects craft.
Offline downloads in lossless
Downloading tracks in lossless quality for offline listening. The file sizes are larger but the audio quality justification is clear. Lossless on the go without data usage.
App needs polish
The app occasionally lags, search can be slow, and navigation sometimes feels clunky. The audio quality is premium but the app experience doesn't always match that premium feel.
Track history and play counts
Detailed listening history with play counts helps you understand your own listening patterns. Seeing which songs you've played the most is insightful and personally interesting.
Family plan exists and works
Family plan for up to 6 members at $17/month with lossless audio for everyone. Each person gets their own profile and recommendations. Good value for audiophile families.
My ears can tell the difference
A/B testing Spotify Premium against Tidal HiFi through my Sennheiser HD 660S, the difference is clear. More detail, wider soundstage, better dynamics. Quality matters.
Cross-platform support is good
Available on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, web, and various smart devices. Not as ubiquitous as Spotify's integrations but covers the major platforms adequately.
Rising artists playlists highlight new talent
Tidal's TIDAL Rising program spotlights emerging artists with playlists and editorial features. Discovering new talent through curated promotion supports the next generation of musicians.
Worth it if audio quality matters to you
Tidal isn't for everyone. If you listen on AirPods while commuting, the quality difference is negligible. But if you have good headphones or speakers and care about fidelity, Tidal is the answer.
Showing 1-20 of 12,847 reviews
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Last updated: April 2026