Spotify raised its price.
Then raised it again.
Then raised it again.

The most powerful recommendation engine in music streaming. Discover Weekly, Daily Mixes, and Release Radar remain the best algorithmic discovery features across any platform. Integrated podcast library. Audiobooks included on Premium (15 hours/month). Free ad-supported tier available. Lossless audio launched late 2025 — now available to all Premium subscribers, capped at 24-bit/44.1kHz.

People who prioritise discovering new music over audio fidelity. Cross-platform listeners — Spotify works equally well on every device and OS. Podcast listeners who want everything in one app. Anyone on the free tier who just needs a music source with ads.

The highest audio quality at the standard price — full Hi-Res Lossless (up to 24-bit/192kHz) and Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio included with every plan, no extra charge. Over 30 million tracks in Dolby Atmos. Human-curated editorial playlists alongside algorithmic ones. No free tier — paid only. Music videos included. iTunes library integration for people with large local collections.

Apple ecosystem users — iPhone, Mac, HomePod, iPad. The experience degrades noticeably on Android and Windows. People who care about audio quality and have the hardware to hear the difference (wired headphones, AirPods Pro, external DAC). Cheaper than Spotify since early 2026 and with better audio — the rational choice for most Apple users.

The only service that integrates music and music videos seamlessly. Unique catalogue advantage: live recordings, covers, remixes, and unofficial uploads that don't exist anywhere else. Catalogue of uploaded user content alongside official releases. Reasonable algorithmic discovery. No lossless audio — capped at 256kbps AAC, the weakest audio quality of any paid service.

People who already pay for YouTube Premium — the Music subscription is included, making it effectively free for that group. Users who frequently listen to live performances, DJ sets, or tracks that only exist as YouTube uploads. Not for audiophiles — the audio quality is the lowest of the major paid services.

Hi-Res Lossless audio up to 24-bit/192kHz and Dolby Atmos included at no extra charge — matching Apple Music's quality ceiling at the same price. Alexa voice control is the tightest of any service. Catalogue and curation are solid but weaker than Spotify or Apple Music for discovery. Free tier included with Prime but is limited to shuffle only on playlists.

Amazon Prime members — the $1/month discount makes it the cheapest full-quality option. Amazon Echo/Alexa households where voice control is the primary interface. People who want hi-res audio without paying a Tidal premium. Not the best choice if discovery and playlist curation matter — Amazon's algorithm lags behind Spotify and Apple Music.

The highest audio quality ceiling of any mainstream service — hi-res FLAC up to 24-bit/192kHz, plus Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio. Switched from MQA to full FLAC in 2024 (a genuine improvement — FLAC is more compatible and uncompressed). Artist-centric royalty model — Tidal pays the highest per-stream rate of any platform (~$0.013–0.015 vs Spotify's $0.003–0.005). DJ tools on HiFi Plus.

Audiophiles with high-end headphones, external DACs, or hi-fi speakers where the quality difference is audible. Musicians and producers who want to support fairer artist payouts and access pro tools. Small subscriber base means less personalisation data — the algorithm isn't as refined as Spotify's. Not worth the premium over Apple Music or Amazon Music Unlimited unless you specifically need the highest-resolution audio or HiFi Plus features.

Lossless FLAC audio included at the standard price (16-bit/44.1kHz CD quality — not hi-res). Lyrics and karaoke mode are standout features. Flow — Deezer's radio mode — is understated but effective. Podcast integration. Annual billing option saves roughly two months' cost. Cleaner, more music-focused interface than Spotify. Smaller but growing catalogue at around 90 million tracks.

People who want lossless audio without Tidal's premium and don't need hi-res beyond CD quality. Lyrics/karaoke enthusiasts. Strong in France and parts of Europe where it has a larger user base and better local catalogue. The annual billing option makes it one of the better value plays if you're committed to staying for a year.