TIDAL
Music streaming with lossless and hi-res audio for listeners who care about sound quality
by TIDAL Music AS · listed Oct 19, 2026
Quick verdict
TIDAL is worth installing if sound quality matters to you and you have gear that can show it off. If you mostly use basic Bluetooth earbuds, a cheaper streaming service will sound close to the same.
Best for Listeners with good headphones, a DAC or hi-fi gear who want lossless and hi-res streaming on their phone
Facts last verified Oct 19, 2026. How we review
TIDAL review
TIDAL is a music streaming service with a large catalog of songs, albums, music videos and curated playlists. Its focus is audio quality: tracks stream in lossless CD quality, and much of the catalog is available in hi-res FLAC, with some titles in Dolby Atmos. It suits listeners with good headphones, DACs or home audio gear who want more than standard compressed streams, as well as people who like detailed credits and editorial picks.
Why we picked it: It is one of the most established options for lossless and hi-res streaming on a phone, and it works with offline downloads and many connected speakers and hi-fi devices.
Watch out for: The app is free to download, but listening requires a paid subscription. The quality gains are easiest to hear with decent wired gear rather than basic Bluetooth earbuds.
What we like
- Lossless streaming across the catalog with hi-res FLAC on many tracks
- Dolby Atmos available on some titles
- Offline downloads for listening without a connection
- TIDAL Connect and support for many speakers and hi-fi devices
- Ad-free listening with editorial playlists and personalized mixes
What could be better
- Free to download but you need a paid subscription to listen
- Quality gains are hard to hear on basic Bluetooth earbuds
- Hi-res and Atmos availability varies by track and device
Questions about TIDAL
Is TIDAL free?
The app is free to download, but listening needs a paid plan. The store listing mentions a 30-day free trial, though trial terms and plan prices can vary by region, so check in the app before signing up.
Which platforms does TIDAL run on?
It is available for iPhone and Android. TIDAL also offers apps for other devices and works with many connected speakers and hi-fi systems.
Can I listen offline?
Yes, an offline mode lets you download music to play without a connection. It requires an active subscription.
Will I hear a difference with lossless audio?
It is easiest to notice with decent wired headphones, a DAC or home audio gear. Standard Bluetooth earbuds often compress audio enough to hide most of the gain.
Does it auto-renew?
Yes, the subscription renews monthly until you cancel. You can cancel at any time through your account or app store settings.
From the developer: how TIDAL describes itself
Get unlimited access to over 180 million songs in best-in-class sound quality with TIDAL.
Enjoy the music you love and discover new tracks through our library of millions of songs, mixes based on your listening habits, and playlists curated both by TIDAL editors and other fans.
Try TIDAL free for 30 days, and choose from a range of plans suited to fit your needs.
All plans include: - Millions of songs in HiRes lossless sound quality up to up to 24-bit, 192 kHz and Dolby Atmos - Ad-free listening, unlimited skips - Personalized mixes based on your preferences - Editorially curated playlists - Offline mode - Track and share your streaming activity - TIDAL Connect, to listen in lossless quality on supported devices
Download the TIDAL app today to sign up for a subscription. Subscription automatically renews on a monthly basis. Cancel anytime.
Terms and Conditions of Use: http://tidal.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://tidal.com/privacy
Text from the app store listing, quoted for reference. Our own take is above.
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