Everyone listens to music. Some people like to relax to a nice beat, some listen to every note, and for others, convenience and simplicity are more important. But if you choose between Apple Music and Tidal, which service is really worth the money? Let’s find out.
Sound Quality: Is the Difference Really Audible?
They say that the main thing is not the numbers, but the feeling. This is true, but the numbers also mean a lot. Apple Music offers three quality levels: standard AAC, Lossless (24 bit/48 kHz), and Hi-Res Lossless (up to 24 bit/192 kHz). All this sounds cool, but if you don’t have good headphones and a powerful DAC, you may not even feel the difference between regular and Hi-Res Lossless.
But Tidal is like a Mercedes among streaming services in this regard. They were the first to focus on high quality: the HiFi plan offers CD quality (16 bit/44.1 kHz), and HiFi Plus already supports FLAC and MQA (24 bit/192 kHz). Plus, there is Dolby Atmos spatial sound and Sony 360 Reality Audio. But does it work in practice? For most listeners, the difference is minimal. Audiophiles will say that they hear “stage depth” and “bass clarity,” but how important is this on the subway or while jogging? That is the question.
The Price of the Question: How Much Will It Cost?
Apple Music:
- Individual subscription – $10.99/month
- Family – $16.99/month (up to 6 people)
- Student – $5.99/month
Tidal:
- HiFi – $10.99/month
- HiFi Plus – $19.99/month
- Family plans – $16.99 and $29.99/month
As usual, Apple sells an ecosystem. Everything works smoothly and logically, especially if you have an iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even HomePod. But Tidal takes quality. Do you listen on $1000 headphones? Maybe it makes sense to pay extra for HiFi Plus.
Musical Discoveries: Where Is It Easier to Find Something New?
Oh, this recommendation algorithm. Apple Music uses a mix of editorial selections and machine learning. Playlists like “For You” or “New Sound” are adjusted to your taste. Convenient? Yes. Does it work flawlessly? Not always.
Tidal goes a different way. They support independent artists and offer a “Tidal Rising” section for finding new artists. They also have exclusive releases in their catalog – not always, but sometimes you can hear something earlier than in other services.
Interface: Where Is It More Convenient?
Apple Music is the usual Apple minimalism. Everything is intuitive, especially if you are in the ecosystem. Siri, CarPlay, Apple Watch – integration is top notch.
Tidal is more stylish, but less convenient in some places. Search is not always perfect, and loading the catalog can be slow. But if you need a service that puts sound first, this is it.
Bottom Line: So What Should You Choose?
Do you like convenience, minimalism and use Apple? Apple Music is for you. If you don’t want to bother with codecs, bitrates and just enjoy music, then Apple Music is for you.
Are you ready to pay more for sound quality, listen to music on top-end equipment, and like exclusives? Then Tidal.
It’s simple: choose what suits you best. Or try both – almost everywhere now has a free trial period. And then it’s up to your ears to decide.
Read also: How Do You Create A Playlist For Free?
