Qobuz vs TIDAL

Qobuz and TIDAL both list lossless streaming up to 24-bit/192 kHz, so the choice is about what surrounds the sound. Qobuz, run by Xandrie SA near Paris, adds a download store, expert editorial and a published average pay per stream. TIDAL adds Dolby Atmos, a claimed catalogue of over 180 million songs and integration with DJ apps such as djay.

Editor Sebastiaan Smits

Published Last reviewed How we review

Choose Qobuz if

you want to buy and keep particular recordings as well as stream them, value reviews and liner notes written by music experts, and like a service that publishes its average pay per stream.

Read the Qobuz review

Choose TIDAL if

you want Dolby Atmos alongside hi-res stereo, mix in djay with stems and music videos, or want the larger song count TIDAL claims, after a 30-day free trial.

Read the TIDAL review

Qobuz and TIDAL side by side

 QobuzTIDAL
Company Xandrie SA (Qobuz) TIDAL
Headquarters Pantin, France Oslo, Norway
Founded 2008 2014
Jurisdiction EU (France) EEA, not EU (Norway)
Where the data sits EU EEA
Pricing From about €12.49/month From about €9.99/month
Free tier or trial Free trial Free trial
Certifications and checks GDPR GDPR
Source code Closed source Closed source
Usually replaces Spotify, TIDAL, Apple Music Spotify, Apple Music
Position in our Music Streaming guide #3 of 12 #2 of 12

Both are listed in our European Music Streaming guide. The table is built from the same directory data as those entries; how we check it is described in the editorial process.

Where Qobuz and TIDAL differ

Across the four points below, Qobuz has the edge on 2 points, TIDAL on 1 point and one is a tie. A count like that is a summary, not a verdict: the point that matters to you may be the one the other product wins.

Owning the recording

Qobuz runs a download store next to its stream, selling albums in CD or Hi-Res quality, and its Sublime plan adds discounts of up to 60% on Hi-Res purchases. That protects a listener against an album vanishing when a licence lapses. TIDAL's listing describes streaming subscriptions rather than purchases, so for owning files Qobuz is the one to pick of these two.

Edge: Qobuz

Resolution at the top tier

Qobuz lists Studio quality streaming as lossless FLAC at 24-bit up to 192 kHz and says 24-bit Hi-Res is available on every subscription. TIDAL's listing gives the same 24-bit/192 kHz ceiling on all plans and adds Dolby Atmos. For stereo the two are level on paper; past lossless, what you hear depends on your DAC, headphones and room.

No clear winner on this point.

DJ sets and video

Algoriddim's djay streams TIDAL, including music videos, and offers a TIDAL DJ Extension that works with its Neural Mix stem separation. The same page lists Apple Music, Spotify, SoundCloud and Beatport as the other integrations. Anyone who mixes in djay or wants video beside the audio has the clearer case with TIDAL; Qobuz aims at listening rather than performing.

Edge: TIDAL

Editorial and transparency

Qobuz leans on human curation, with reviews and liner notes written by music experts plus a magazine, and states that it is the only streaming platform to publish its average pay per stream. TIDAL's listing offers mixes based on listening habits and playlists from its editors and other fans. For context around a recording and openness about payouts, Qobuz gives more.

Edge: Qobuz

When neither Qobuz nor TIDAL fits

Both assume you will pay for high fidelity. Deezer runs an ad-supported free plan in a dozen listed countries, including Germany, France and the UK, and lossless HiFi for paying subscribers. If classical is all you play, IDAGIO is built for it, with search designed for classical music.

Qobuz vs TIDAL: questions

Qobuz has the stronger case of the two: expert reviews and liner notes, and a download store for the specific recording you care about. TIDAL relies more on mixes and editor or fan playlists. For classical alone, IDAGIO in the same category is a dedicated classical service with search designed for the repertoire.

Qobuz is operated by XANDRIE SA, with its address in Pantin, just outside Paris, and says it was formed in 2008. TIDAL's app is published by TIDAL Music AS, and Block, Inc. lists TIDAL among its businesses alongside Square and Cash App. Qobuz lists the territories it serves, from across Europe to Japan and the Americas.

Neither describes one. Qobuz offers a free trial with no obligation and then paid plans, Studio Solo at EUR 14.99 a month or EUR 162.00 a year on the Dutch page. TIDAL's listing offers a 30-day free trial, after which plans renew monthly. For a permanent free option, look at Spotify or, where available, Deezer Free.

On the Dutch offers page Qobuz Family covers up to six accounts for EUR 20.83 a month after a free first month. Duo and Student options are also listed, and the Sublime tier, which adds purchase discounts, starts from EUR 16.66 a month on annual billing.

Sources

Facts, prices and plan details on this page were checked on the vendors' own websites on . Prices and plans change; the vendor's current page is authoritative.

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