Tidal Music costs between $10.99 and $19.99 per month, depending on the plan you choose. The HiFi plan is $10.99 a month and gives you lossless sound quality, ad-free listening, and offline playback. If you want even better audio, the HiFi Plus plan is $19.99 a month and adds studio-quality sound, exclusive content, and higher royalties paid to artists.
For families, Tidal offers Family plans that let up to six people use one account. The Family HiFi plan is $16.99 a month, while the Family HiFi Plus plan is $29.99 a month. Students and military members can also get discounts, which bring the monthly cost down a few dollars.
Tidal also has a free plan with ads and limited features, but it doesn’t include the high-quality sound Tidal is known for. If you’re someone who really cares about music quality or wants to support artists more directly, the HiFi Plus plan is worth it. But if you just want ad-free listening with good sound, the regular HiFi plan will do the job nicely.
Introduction
Ever wondered if Tidal is really worth the price tag? You’re not alone! With so many streaming services fighting for your attention – Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, you name it – figuring out where your money goes can be confusing. But Tidal has carved out a special spot for itself with its high-quality sound and artist-first approach.
In this guide, I’ll break down exactly how much Tidal Music costs in 2025, what each plan gives you, and how to choose the best one for your lifestyle. Whether you’re a casual listener, an audiophile chasing perfect sound, or someone trying to save a few bucks, you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for by the end.
Tidal Music Pricing Plans in 2025
Tidal has made its pricing much easier to understand in 2025. No confusing tiers or secret fees, just clear plans for every type of listener. Right now, Tidal offers three main paid options: Individual, Family, and Student.
The Individual plan costs 10.99 a month and gives you full access to Tidal’s massive library of songs, playlists, and high-quality sound. This is the plan most people choose. It’s perfect if you just want to listen on your own, create playlists, and enjoy lossless or Hi-Res FLAC music without any ads.
If you have a family or share your account, the Family plan costs 16.99 a month. You can add up to six people, and each person gets their own login and recommendations. It’s great for homes where everyone listens to different kinds of music. It’s cheaper than paying for six individual accounts, so it’s a smart choice for families.
Students get the best deal. The Student plan is only 5.49 a month. It has all the same features as the Individual plan but at about half the price. You just have to verify that you’re a student to qualify.
In some countries, the prices may be a little higher or lower depending on taxes and local currency rates. For example, users outside the U.S. might see slight changes when they sign up. Still, the difference isn’t too big, and you’re getting the same features everywhere.
If you want to add more features, there’s also an optional DJ Extension for about 9 a month. It’s designed for people who mix and play music professionally. Most casual listeners don’t need it, but it’s cool for DJs who want direct access to Tidal’s tracks inside their mixing software.
When comparing with other streaming platforms like Spotify or Apple Music, Tidal is in the same price range. Spotify’s Premium plan also costs around 10.99, and Apple Music is about the same. But the big difference is in sound quality. Tidal includes HiFi and Hi-Res FLAC audio, while most other services only offer standard sound.
Tidal used to have separate HiFi and HiFi Plus plans, but now they’re merged. This means you get the best audio quality in every plan, no extra upgrade needed. That’s a big win for people who love crisp, detailed music.
You can pay monthly or choose a yearly option if available in your country. Paying yearly doesn’t always give a huge discount, but it can help you avoid monthly billing.
If you subscribe through the Tidal website, you’ll pay the base price. But if you sign up through an app store like Apple, you might pay a little more because of store fees. It’s usually cheaper to sign up directly from Tidal’s website.
In short, Tidal’s pricing in 2025 is simple and fair. You’ve got 10.99 for individuals, 16.99 for families, and 5.49 for students. You get the same high-quality sound in every plan, plus ad-free listening and offline downloads. For anyone who cares about sound quality and supporting artists fairly, Tidal’s plans are a solid deal.
What You Get with Each Tidal Plan
When you pay for a Tidal plan, you’re not just buying access to songs, you’re paying for an experience that feels smooth, high-quality, and personal. No matter which plan you choose, Tidal gives you access to over 110 million tracks, all available in crystal-clear sound. That means no fuzzy audio or compressed music that loses its punch. Everything sounds full, clean, and balanced, especially if you listen with good headphones or speakers.
All Tidal plans come with ad-free listening. You won’t be interrupted by random ads while you’re vibing to your playlist or relaxing before bed. That might sound small, but it makes a big difference when you’re in the middle of a favorite song.
You also get offline downloads, which let you save your music for later. This is perfect if you’re traveling, working out, or just want to save data. You can download entire albums or playlists straight to your phone and listen without Wi-Fi.
Tidal also includes lossless audio, meaning the sound quality is the same as what the artist intended in the studio. It’s like going from a regular photo to one in 4K. You’ll notice the bass feels deeper, the vocals clearer, and the instruments sharper.
Then there’s Hi-Res FLAC, which takes the quality even higher. This level of audio is perfect for people who truly care about music detail. You can hear little sounds like the breath before a singer starts a verse or the soft tap of a drumstick.
Some songs are also available in Dolby Atmos or Sony 360 Reality Audio. These immersive formats make you feel like you’re inside the music. It’s like standing in the middle of a live concert, with sound coming from every direction.
Each plan, Individual, Family, and Student, gets all of these audio perks. There’s no stripped-down version with lower quality. The only difference between plans is how many people can use them or how much you pay.
You can also stream on almost any device. Tidal works on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and even smart TVs and car systems. You can use it with Sonos, Chromecast, Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay too.
Another thing that makes Tidal stand out is its focus on artists. The app offers exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else like behind-the-scenes videos, special live sessions, and early song releases.
You can also follow artists directly and get curated playlists that match your taste. Tidal’s algorithm learns what you like over time and builds playlists around your listening habits.
Every plan includes real-time lyrics too, so you can sing along while listening.
If you’re a DJ or someone who mixes music, the DJ Extension add-on connects Tidal with software like Serato, rekordbox, and VirtualDJ.
In short, all Tidal plans give you everything: ad-free streaming, downloads, lossless sound, Hi-Res FLAC, Dolby Atmos, and access across multiple devices. Whether you’re paying 5.49 as a student or 16.99 for the whole family, you’re getting the same premium experience.
Hidden Costs and Add-Ons You Should Know About
Tidal’s pricing looks simple at first glance, but like any streaming service, there are a few small details you should know about before you hit subscribe. These aren’t deal-breakers, but they can surprise you if you don’t know they exist.
The first thing to understand is that Tidal’s website price is often cheaper than app store prices. If you subscribe through the Apple App Store or Google Play, the price might be a little higher because those platforms charge service fees.
Then there’s the DJ Extension add-on. This is one of the only optional extras that Tidal offers, and it’s mostly for people who mix music professionally. It costs about 9 extra per month on top of your regular plan.
Another hidden cost comes from taxes and regional pricing. Depending on where you live, local taxes or currency conversion can slightly change your monthly total.
If you ever see Tidal’s free trial offer, be sure to read the fine print. Most of the time, it’s a 30-day free trial, but it automatically renews into a paid plan when the trial ends.
You should also know about third-party bundles. Some mobile carriers and device makers offer free or discounted Tidal subscriptions for a few months when you buy a new device or plan.
Some users also don’t realize that Tidal doesn’t offer refunds once your subscription renews.
Lastly, you should know that Tidal’s family plan must be managed by one main account holder.
So, while Tidal’s base prices are clear, there are small add-ons and conditions that can affect what you actually pay.
Tidal Free vs. Paid: Is It Worth Upgrading?
A few years back, Tidal used to offer a free version of its service. It was nice if you just wanted to check out what Tidal felt like without paying, but it didn’t stick around forever. In 2025, most countries no longer have a full free tier.
So, is it still worth paying for Tidal when there’s no free version? Honestly, yes, if sound quality matters to you.
The old Tidal Free plan gave you access to a smaller library of songs with lower sound quality. You could stream tracks, but you had to deal with ads and could only skip a few songs each hour.
Now, every paid Tidal plan includes lossless and high-resolution audio. With paid plans, you also get ad-free listening and offline downloads.
Tidal also gives you exclusive content like artist interviews, early song releases, and behind-the-scenes videos that you won’t find anywhere else.
If you’re into supporting artists, Tidal stands out here too. A portion of your subscription directly supports the musicians you listen to most.
So yes, paying for Tidal in 2025 is worth it if you care about quality, artists, and convenience.
How to Save Money on Tidal Music in 2025
Music streaming adds up, but there are several ways to save money on Tidal in 2025 without losing features.
The easiest way to save is with Tidal’s Student Plan. If you’re a student, you can get the full plan for half the price, just 5.49 a month.
The Family Plan costs 16.99 a month for up to six people. If you split it, it’s around 2.83 per person.
Tidal also runs seasonal promotions around holidays like Black Friday or New Year’s, with offers like “three months for 1.”
Check mobile carrier or device partnerships. Companies like Verizon or Samsung sometimes offer free Tidal trials when you buy a new phone.
If you’ve used Tidal before and canceled, you might get a win-back offer via email.
Avoid subscribing through Apple or Google Play since they add a small markup. Subscribe directly through Tidal’s website to pay less.
And finally, look out for referral codes or discounted gift cards. These can save you another 10–20 percent.
Tidal vs. Competitors: Is It Worth the Price?
Tidal’s Individual plan costs about 10.99 a month, similar to Spotify and Apple Music. So you’re not paying much more, but the features are what make it special.
Tidal includes lossless audio and Hi-Res FLAC, meaning you hear music just like in the studio. Spotify and Apple Music sound good, but Tidal gives you more detail and depth.
Tidal also offers immersive formats like Dolby Atmos or Sony 360 Reality Audio in some regions.
If you just listen casually, Spotify or Apple Music might be enough. But if you care about every sound detail, Tidal is worth it.
Tidal works on almost every device, but Spotify still wins for playlist discovery, and Apple integrates best with iPhones.
In short, Tidal is worth it if you care about sound quality and artist support.
How to Choose the Right Plan for You
Choosing the right Tidal plan depends on how you listen to music.
If you listen often, the Individual plan for 10.99 is simple and complete.
If you share with family, the Family plan for 16.99 gives everyone their own space and saves money.
If you’re a student, grab the Student plan for 5.49. Same features, half the price.
If you’re a DJ or musician, the DJ Extension for 9 is a great add-on.
Always sign up directly on the Tidal website, not through app stores, to avoid extra charges.
If you’re unsure about long-term use, start monthly. If you know you’ll stick with it, consider yearly to save a bit more.
Match your plan to your habits:
- Pick based on how often you listen
- Think about who you share with
- Decide how important sound quality is
Once you figure that out, choosing a Tidal plan becomes easy.
Conclusion
So, how much does Tidal Music really cost in 2025? The short version: it starts at 5.49 a month for students, 10.99 a month for individuals, and 16.99 a month for families.
What you’re really paying for is an experience built around sound quality and artist support. The lossless and Hi-Res FLAC audio makes every song come alive. You also get ad-free listening, offline downloads, and exclusive artist content.
Sure, Spotify and Apple Music are great, but if you care about premium sound, Tidal is worth it. It’s not just another app, it’s a better way to listen.
Try it for a month. Plug in your headphones, play your favorite song, and hear the difference. Once you do, you’ll understand why so many people think Tidal is worth every penny.