Qobuz vs TIDAL

Updated October 2026 · AppBreakup editorial

Qobuz

A French hi-res music streaming service and download store aimed at audiophiles.

Paid

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TIDAL

A hi-fi music streaming service offering lossless and hi-res FLAC, owned by Block.

Paid

Visit TIDAL TIDAL profile

The short answer

Both suit listeners who care about sound quality, streaming hi-res FLAC up to 24-bit/192kHz. Qobuz is the better pick for people who also want to buy and keep albums and value jazz, classical and editorial depth; TIDAL suits those who want Dolby Atmos, music videos and detailed credits. The biggest difference is Qobuz's download store versus TIDAL's Atmos and broader mainstream focus.

Qobuz or TIDAL: our take

On audio, the two are closely matched: both stream lossless and hi-res FLAC up to 24-bit/192kHz on their standard plans, and both work with many hi-fi streamers through their own connect features, Qobuz Connect and TIDAL Connect. Qobuz also integrates with Roon and Sonos. TIDAL also streams in Dolby Atmos. Neither has podcasts, and both have weaker recommendations and discovery than Spotify.

Their personalities differ. Qobuz, from France, is known for detailed editorial content, digital booklets and strong jazz and classical coverage across a catalogue of over 100 million tracks, though its pop and hip-hop coverage is slightly patchier. Uniquely, it runs a download store where you can buy albums in CD or hi-res quality and keep them, and its Sublime plan gives purchase discounts of up to 60%. TIDAL has a catalogue comparable to Spotify's, music videos, and attention to credits, showing producers and songwriters on tracks. It is now owned by Block.

Pricing structures are similar: neither has a permanent free tier in most places, only trials. Qobuz starts from $10.83/month in the US on annual billing, with Solo, Duo and Family versions. TIDAL simplified its plans in 2024 so hi-res is included in the standard Individual subscription, with Family and Student options. Both run on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and the web.

Choose Qobuz if you buy music as well as stream it, listen mostly to classical or jazz, or enjoy liner notes and editorial writing. Choose TIDAL if you want Dolby Atmos, music videos, songwriter and producer credits, or a catalogue that leans more mainstream. Since both offer trials, trying each on your own equipment is the fairest test.

Choose Qobuz if…

Audiophiles who want hi-res streaming and the option to buy albums to keep
Hi-res FLAC up to 24-bit/192kHz on every plan
Download store with discounts on Sublime

Choose TIDAL if…

Listeners with good headphones or hi-fi gear who want hi-res streaming
Hi-res FLAC included in the standard plan
TIDAL Connect works with many hi-fi devices

What is Qobuz?

Qobuz is a streaming service and music store from France aimed at listeners who care about sound quality. Every subscription streams in lossless and hi-res FLAC up to 24-bit/192kHz across a catalogue of over 100 million tracks, and it is known for detailed editorial content, digital booklets and strong coverage of jazz and classical music. Unlike most rivals it also runs a download store, so you can buy albums in CD or hi-res quality and keep them, with the Sublime plan giving discounts on purchases. It integrates with many hi-fi streamers, Roon and Sonos, and has added Qobuz Connect for controlling playback on compatible devices. There is no free tier, only a trial, and plans come in Solo, Duo and Family versions. The catalogue of pop and hip-hop is slightly patchier than Spotify's, discovery features are less advanced and there are no podcasts. It runs on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and the web.

What is TIDAL?

TIDAL is a streaming service built around sound quality. It offers a catalogue comparable to Spotify's, with lossless CD-quality and hi-res FLAC up to 24-bit/192kHz plus Dolby Atmos, and it has a reputation for curated editorial content, music videos and attention to credits, showing producers and songwriters on tracks. Launched in Norway as WiMP and relaunched under the TIDAL name, it was bought by Jay-Z in 2015 and later by Jack Dorsey's Block. In 2024 it simplified its plans so that hi-res is included in the standard Individual subscription, with Family and Student options, and it dropped the expensive HiFi Plus tier. It integrates with many hi-fi streamers and amplifiers through TIDAL Connect. There is a free trial but no permanent free tier in most countries. Its recommendations and social features are thinner than Spotify's, and podcasts are absent. It runs on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, the web and many home audio devices.

Side by side

Attribute	Qobuz	TIDAL
Pricing	Paid	Paid
Open source	No	No
Self-hostable	No	No
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS	Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Best for	Audiophiles who want hi-res streaming and the option to buy albums to keep	Listeners with good headphones or hi-fi gear who want hi-res streaming
Status	Active	Active

Qobuz vs TIDAL pricing

Qobuz: paid

Starting price: From $10.83/month (US, annual) source

Qobuz pricing page

TIDAL: paid

We couldn't verify TIDAL's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.

TIDAL pricing page

Platforms

Platform	Qobuz	TIDAL
Web
Windows
macOS
iOS
Android

Qobuz facts

5 of 5 verified

Starting price: From $10.83/month (US, annual); Checked Oct 25, 2026qobuz.com(opens source in a new tab); “From $10.83/month Streaming plans Download store Magazine Qobuz Club Our ecosystem Stream Better.”
Audio quality: FLAC 24-bit up to 192kHz; Checked Oct 25, 2026qobuz.com(opens source in a new tab); “Lossless, FLAC 24-Bit up to 192 kHz”
Catalogue: Over 100 million tracks; Checked Oct 25, 2026qobuz.com(opens source in a new tab); “Over 100 million tracks”
Purchase discounts: Up to 60% (Sublime); Checked Oct 25, 2026qobuz.com(opens source in a new tab); “Discounts on Hi-Res purchases of up to 60%”
Download store: Yes; Checked Oct 25, 2026qobuz.com(opens source in a new tab); “Discover our plans Download Buy your favourite albums in lossless CD or Hi-Res quality and enjoy them forever.”

TIDAL facts

0 of 0 verified

No sourced facts yet.

Pros and cons of Qobuz

Hi-res FLAC up to 24-bit/192kHz on every plan
Download store with discounts on Sublime
Rich editorial content and digital booklets
No free tier
Weaker recommendations and discovery than Spotify
No podcasts

More Qobuz alternatives

Pros and cons of TIDAL

Hi-res FLAC included in the standard plan
TIDAL Connect works with many hi-fi devices
Detailed credits for producers and songwriters
No permanent free tier in most countries
Weaker recommendations than Spotify
No podcasts or audiobooks

More TIDAL alternatives

Other apps to consider

Apple Music
Instead of Qobuz
Hi-res lossless included at a similar price, with Dolby Atmos.
Bandcamp
Instead of Qobuz
Buy music directly from artists, often in lossless formats.
IDAGIO
Instead of Qobuz
Specialist classical service with better search for works and recordings.
Spotify
Instead of TIDAL
Better discovery, podcasts and a free tier.
Deezer
Instead of TIDAL
Lossless FLAC with a free ad-supported tier for casual listening.
Amazon Music
Instead of TIDAL
Ultra HD lossless included with Unlimited.

Qobuz vs TIDAL: common questions

Is Qobuz better than TIDAL?

Is Qobuz free?

No. Qobuz is paid, though it may offer a trial.

Is TIDAL free?

No. TIDAL is paid, though it may offer a trial.

Is Qobuz or TIDAL open source?

Neither is open source.

Which platforms do Qobuz and TIDAL support?

Qobuz: Web, iOS, Android, Windows and macOS. TIDAL: Web, iOS, Android, Windows and macOS.