Best Tidal alternatives for music streaming in 2024

Discover the top alternatives to Tidal for music streaming in 2024, offering excellent sound quality, vast music libraries, and unique features for audiophiles and casual listeners alike.

The music streaming landscape has grown tremendously, offering listeners various platforms that cater to different preferences, from high-fidelity audio to unique playlists and personalization. Tidal, known for its superior sound quality and artist-friendly approach, remains one of the best options for audiophiles. However, with so many platforms available, you may wonder whether Tidal is the best fit for you—or if there are better alternatives.

In this article, we’ll dive into some of the best alternatives to Tidal for music streaming in 2024, focusing on platforms that offer similar (or better) sound quality, user experience, and value for money.

1. Spotify

Why Spotify is a Great Alternative

Spotify continues to reign as one of the most popular streaming services globally, thanks to its massive music library, easy-to-use interface, and exceptional algorithm-based recommendations. While Spotify doesn’t yet offer hi-res audio like Tidal, it provides a decent audio quality at 320 kbps (via Ogg Vorbis) and is set to launch its long-awaited “Spotify HiFi” tier in 2024.

Key Features:

• Extensive Library: Access to over 100 million tracks.
• Personalized Playlists: Exceptional algorithm that curates personalized playlists such as “Discover Weekly” and “Release Radar.”
• Social Integration: Easy to share playlists and see what your friends are listening to.
• Upcoming HiFi Tier: Expected to deliver lossless audio quality soon.

Spotify is an excellent choice for listeners who value great music discovery tools, a massive library, and are excited for its upcoming HiFi option. For those who want more control over their subscription spending, SubTracked can help you keep track of Spotify’s subscription costs and notify you of any price changes.

2. Apple Music

Why Apple Music is a Worthy Competitor

Apple Music has rapidly evolved into one of the leading competitors in the music streaming world, offering over 100 million songs, curated playlists, and exclusive releases. What makes it stand out from Tidal is its inclusion of lossless audio and spatial audio (Dolby Atmos) without any extra cost, making it a great Tidal alternative for audiophiles.

Key Features:

• Lossless and Hi-Res Audio: Enjoy top-tier sound quality without paying extra.
• Spatial Audio: Immersive listening experience with Dolby Atmos support.
• Siri Integration: Voice control through Apple’s virtual assistant.
• Exclusive Content: Access to artist exclusives, live radio, and behind-the-scenes content.

For users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, Apple Music offers seamless integration with devices and services like Siri, HomePod, and Apple Watch. Apple Music’s pricing and frequent promotions can fluctuate, but with SubTracked, you can monitor your subscription renewals and get notified of upcoming billing dates or changes to Apple’s subscription prices.

3. Amazon Music Unlimited

Why Amazon Music Unlimited Deserves Your Attention

Amazon Music Unlimited has upped its game in recent years, now offering HD and Ultra HD audio at no extra cost. It boasts an extensive music library, similar to that of Tidal, and integrates seamlessly with Alexa-enabled devices for voice control. For audiophiles, the availability of Ultra HD tracks (up to 24-bit, 192kHz) makes this platform highly competitive with Tidal’s HiFi plan.

Key Features:

• HD and Ultra HD Audio: CD-quality and higher without extra fees.
• Alexa Integration: Hands-free control using Amazon’s voice assistant.
• Extensive Library: Over 100 million songs and growing.
• Affordable Pricing: Often bundled with Amazon Prime for additional value.

Amazon Music Unlimited is an excellent choice for Amazon Prime members and those who want high-quality audio streaming without the higher price tag. SubTracked users can also benefit from tracking subscription costs, especially if they juggle multiple Amazon services under a Prime membership.

4. Deezer

Why Deezer is a Solid Tidal Alternative

Deezer has built a reputation for offering high-quality audio streaming and a personalized music experience. With its HiFi plan offering FLAC-quality audio, it stands toe-to-toe with Tidal when it comes to sound quality. Deezer also has an extensive library, offering over 90 million tracks. Its unique “Flow” feature provides a personalized stream of music based on your listening habits.

Key Features:

• HiFi Plan: FLAC-quality streaming at an affordable price.
• Flow: A continuous, personalized playlist based on your preferences.
• Global Content: Broad range of music, podcasts, and radio stations.
• User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design and easy navigation.

Deezer’s lower price point for its HiFi plan compared to Tidal may make it more appealing for users seeking excellent sound without the premium price. With SubTracked, you can stay on top of subscription costs and be alerted to any potential deals or changes in Deezer’s pricing.

5. Qobuz

Why Audiophiles Love Qobuz

Qobuz is a dream platform for audiophiles seeking the highest possible sound quality. Offering studio-quality sound up to 24-bit/192kHz, Qobuz surpasses Tidal in terms of raw audio fidelity. Additionally, Qobuz provides a vast library of over 100 million tracks and offers an extensive selection of hi-res albums for purchase and download, making it a preferred choice for serious music collectors.

Key Features:

• Hi-Res Audio: Superior studio-quality sound up to 192kHz.
• Hi-Res Downloads: Purchase and download high-resolution albums.
• Curated Editorial Content: In-depth articles, album reviews, and artist interviews.
• Expansive Library: Over 100 million tracks, including a large selection of classical and jazz music.

While Qobuz offers unparalleled audio quality, it comes at a higher cost. Users who subscribe to multiple high-end streaming services may want to use SubTracked to keep an eye on renewal dates and spending habits to avoid subscription fatigue.

Conclusion

When it comes to finding the best alternative to Tidal, the perfect choice depends on your specific needs—whether it’s sound quality, music discovery, or integration with your devices. Spotify remains the best for social listening and music recommendations, Apple Music excels with its lossless and spatial audio options, and Qobuz is a dream for audiophiles craving the best sound quality.

No matter which music streaming service you choose, managing multiple subscriptions can be challenging. With SubTracked, you can easily track all your subscriptions in one place, set reminders for renewal dates, and even monitor any changes in pricing. Take control of your music streaming subscriptions today!