Tidal

Tidal has cemented its reputation as the premier service for audiophiles and artist-focused listeners. It pioneered high-fidelity streaming with its CD-quality and Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) tiers, offering studio-grade sound. Under new ownership, it has expanded its offerings to include hi-res FLAC alongside MQA, plus immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio. Tidal differentiates itself with artist-centric initiatives, promising higher royalty payouts and direct artist payment features like 'fan-centered royalties.' The platform also boasts high-quality music videos, exclusive content, and detailed editorial features like credits and lyrics.

While its discovery features have improved, they still trail leaders like Spotify. Tidal is ideal for the discerning listener with high-end audio equipment who values sound quality above all and wants to feel they are supporting artists more directly.