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Which One is Better: YouTube Music VS Tidal Music
“I can’t make a decision between YouTube Music and Tidal Music. Which one is better?”
YouTube Music and Tidal Music are currently two of the most popular places to listen to music online. Knowing the things they offer makes it easier for you to choose. In this post, we will focus on their music library, audio quality, discovery, pricing, and compatibility to help you choose which one is suitable for you.
- Part 1: YouTube Music vs Tidal Music: Music Library
- Part 2: YouTube Music vs Tidal Music: Sound Quality
- Part 3: YouTube Music vs Tidal Music: Music Discovery
- Part 4: YouTube Music vs Tidal Music: Membership Price
- Part 5: YouTube Music vs Tidal Music: Compatibility
- Part 6: YouTube Music vs Tidal Music: Which Should I Go For?
Part 1: YouTube Music vs Tidal Music: Music Library
When it comes to music libraries, both YouTube Music and Tidal Music offer vast collections of songs from various genres and artists.
| Service | Number of Tracks | Offer Music Videos |
| YouTube Music | 100 millions | yes |
| Tidal Music | 100 millions | yes |
YouTube Music is known for its extensive library that includes music videos, official albums, singles, remixes, covers, and live performances. It also has a feature called "YouTube Mix" that creates playlists based on your listening history and preferences. YouTube Music also offers millions of free official and unofficial videos, including music videos, podcasts, interviews, and more. Moreover, you can watch high-definition videos on it.
Tidal Music, on the other hand, is known for its high-quality, lossless audio (HiFi) and exclusive content from popular artists. It offers a wide range of music genres and prides itself on providing premium quality sound for music enthusiasts.
Part 2: YouTube Music vs Tidal Music: Sound Quality
YouTube Music offers a range of sound quality options based on your preferences and internet connection. The default quality is often between 128 kbps and 192 kbps for audio-only playback. However, YouTube Music does offer a premium subscription called "YouTube Music Premium" which provides access to higher-quality audio streaming at up to 256 kbps AAC for most songs.
Tidal Music is known for its superior audio quality. Tidal differentiates itself by offering a premium HiFi tier that provides lossless audio quality. It is particularly appealing to audiophiles and music enthusiasts who value the best sound possible.
| Service | Max streaming quality | Supported Formats |
| YouTube Music | 128kbps to 256kbps | OPUS AAC |
| Tidal Music | AAC: 160kbps (Normal) 320 kbps (High-Quality) FLAC: 16-bit/44.1 kHz (Hi-Fidelity) WAV: 24-bit/96 kHz (Master) 24-bit/196 kHz (Hi-Res Master) |
AAC FLAC (Tidal HiFi) WAV (Tidal HiFi Plus) |
Part 3: YouTube Music vs Tidal Music: Music Discovery
YouTube Music offers "Explore" to discover your preferred music. It includes 'New releases', 'Charts', 'Moods > genres', and 'Podcasts'. YouTube Music also contains unofficial music versions, such as TikTok cover versions. The prominent search function allows you to find specific songs, artists, or albums easily. YouTube Music also offers curated playlists and personalized recommendations to introduce users to new artists and songs.
Tidal Music focuses on providing exclusive content and collaborations with artists, which can be a draw for you looking for unique music experiences. You can find new content from 'Home' > 'For You'. 'Mixes for you' is a personalized mix recommendation system to track and share your listening habits. In addition, there is a special "Mood, Activities > Events" section under "Explore," including cross-genres, New, Staff picks, and more.
Part 4: YouTube Music vs Tidal Music: Membership Price
Both YouTube Music and Tidal Music offer multiple pricing and subscription plans, and their pricing is nearly identical.
YouTube Music family plans allow you to share membership benefits with up to 5 family members who live within the same residential address. With a YouTube Music family subscription, up to six people can enjoy unlimited access to YouTube Music on their devices.
Tidal's pricing may vary based on the audio quality you choose (Standard or HiFi) and whether you opt for an individual or family plan. Tidal also offers a 50% discount for students. Additionally, Tidal offers a 40% discount to the Military and the first responder.
| Service | YouTube Music | Tidal Hifi | Tidal Hifi Plus |
| Free Option | yes | no | yes |
| Individual Plan | $10.99/month | $10.99/month | $19.99/month |
| Family Plan | $16.99/month | $16.99/month | $29.99/month |
| Student Plan | $5.49/month | $4.99/month | $9.99/month |
| Military and The First Responder | no | yes | yes |
Note:
1. If you focus on the extreme audio quality, then Tidal Music may be worth considering.
2. If you sign up for YouTube Premium ($13.99/month), it can get rid of ads for you. You can watch YouTube videos ad-free and access YouTube Music. Alternatively, you can download YouTube videos and play them in the background. In other words, the video's audio won't stop playing even if you close the app or turn off the phone's screen.
If you're going to subscribe to your favorite streaming service for $13.99 a month, YouTube Premium is without a question the best value option.
Part 5: YouTube Music vs Tidal Music: Compatibility
Tidal is accessible on the Web (only on Chrome for HiFi), iOS, Windows, Android, MacOS, and additional compatible devices like speakers and Google TV. Tidal Music is accessible to get a PC app and Android Auto, but YouTube Music can't. YouTube Music is supported on devices such as Google Home and other smart speakers with Google Assistant integration.
Part 6: YouTube Music vs Tidal Music: Which Should I Go For?
In terms of pricing, YouTube Music may be seen as a more budget-friendly option for users looking for standard music streaming features. On the other hand, Tidal's premium pricing might be justified for audiophiles who value high-quality audio and exclusive content.
YouTube Music might be a better option for you if you appreciate live performances and a wide variety of content. Amazon Music might be a better choice if you want a higher audio quality. Both platforms offer similar pricing and extensive music libraries, so it's important to consider other factors such as platform popularity and availability in your region.
It's important to compare the specific subscription plans and features offered by both services to determine which one aligns best with your preferences and budget.
Extra Tip: How to Download YouTube Music and Amazon Music Tracks to MP3 Format?
Do you want to download YouTube Music or download Tidal Music to your computer as MP3? The easy-to-use tools recommended below come to help. Whether you are a Free member or a Premium subscriber, you can use them to get what you need.
YouTube Music Converter
YouTube Music Converter is a tool specially designed to help users download and convert YouTube Music to MP3/AAC/WAV/FLAC/AIFF/ALAC at 10X faster conversion speed. Learn More >>
Tidal Music Converter
By Tidal Music Converter, you can download and export songs from Tidal Music to your Windows PC or Mac Computer as MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, or ALAC files. Learn More >>
If you're looking to download music from various streaming platforms (such as Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, Audible, Deezer, YouTube, YouTube Music, SoundCloud, DailyMotion, and more) into MP3 files, All-In-One Music Converter is a perfect choice.
Ada Staples
Ada Staples is keeping a strong passion for the multimedia industry. As an avid music enthusiast, she contributes numerous articles about technology and music tools to various websites and blogs.
