Spotify Premium vs TIDAL: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
TIDAL goes further on sound — HiRes FLAC up to 24-bit/192 kHz and Dolby Atmos — and has DJ plans. Spotify Premium has lossless up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz, 15 hours of audiobooks a month, a Duo plan and a free tier. Both have Family plans for 6 and student discounts; TIDAL doesn’t refund US subscriptions.
Option A
$12.99/moPremium Individual
Official price before tax: $12.99
Price checked
Spotify Premium price and plans
Option B
We compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | Spotify Premium | Tidal |
|---|---|---|
| Best stereo | 24-bit/44.1 kHz lossless | 24-bit/192 kHz HiRes FLAC |
| Dolby Atmos | Not listed | Yes (supported devices) |
| Audiobooks | 15 h/month | Not listed |
| Free tier | Yes, with ads | 30-day trial |
| Plans | Individual, Duo, Family, Student | Individual, Family, Student, DJ |
Spotify is the default music app with the most extras; TIDAL is the audiophile and DJ choice.
If you don’t want to read further
Best sound, Dolby Atmos or DJing — TIDAL. Audiobooks, a free tier and a plan for two — Spotify Premium.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
Best stereo quality?
Spotify Premium
Lossless up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz.
Tidal
HiRes FLAC up to 24-bit/192 kHz.
For hi-res files, TIDAL.
Immersive audio?
Spotify Premium
Not listed.
Tidal
Dolby Atmos on supported devices (not desktop apps or Pixel phones).
For Atmos music, TIDAL.
Extras?
Spotify Premium
15 hours of audiobooks a month (Individual and plan managers); Duo for two.
Tidal
DJ plans with stem separation on compatible gear.
Audiobook listeners — Spotify; DJs — TIDAL.
Free tier?
Spotify Premium
Yes, ad-supported.
Tidal
A 30-day trial for new sign-ups.
To stay free, Spotify.
Plan for two?
Spotify Premium
Duo — two accounts at the same address.
Tidal
No Duo; Individual, Family, Student or DJ.
Couples save with Spotify Duo.
Moving your library?
Spotify Premium
Imports via TuneMyMusic.
Tidal
TuneMyMusic at tidal.com/transfer-music.
Switching is easy either way.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
Family for 6
Both Family plans cover up to 6 accounts at one address or country.
Student discounts
Spotify Premium Student and TIDAL Student.
Lossless included
Neither charges extra for lossless audio.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You have hi-fi gear | TIDAL | HiRes FLAC and Atmos. |
| You listen to audiobooks | Spotify Premium | 15 hours a month. |
| A couple | Spotify Duo | Two accounts. |
| You DJ | TIDAL DJ | Streams to DJ software. |
| You sell music to fans | TIDAL | Direct-to-fan sales for US creators. |
- TIDAL doesn’t refund US subscriptions.
- TIDAL streams on one device at a time per account.
- On Spotify Duo and Family only the plan manager gets audiobook hours.
- TIDAL adds sales tax in many states.
Where the facts come from
Sources: spotify.com and Spotify Support for the US, and the TIDAL Help Center. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Spotify Premium or Tidal
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “Music streaming” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — spatial audio: Tidal Individual
Spotify Premium Premium Individual: no (2,0/5) · Tidal Individual: yes (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — sound quality: Tidal Individual
Spotify Premium Premium Individual: lossless (24-bit / 44.1–48 kHz) (4,0/5) · Tidal Individual: Hi-Res (24-bit, up to 192 kHz) (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — app rating: Spotify Premium Premium Individual
Spotify Premium Premium Individual: 4,8 out of 5 (4,8/5) · Tidal Individual: 4,7 out of 5 (4,7/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: