Streaming Platforms Comparison
⭐ Spotify
Current (as of February 2026):
- Individual: $12.99
- Duo: $18.99
- Family: $21.99
- Student: $6.99
- Catalog Size: 100M+ tracks
- Lossless Quality: Spotify launched lossless audio in September 2025, rolled out to Premium subscribers in 50+ markets at no extra charge (included in standard Premium). 24-bit/44.1kHz FLAC.
- Audio Normalization: ~–14 LUFS (varies)
- Platform Availability: Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, WearOS, consoles, smart home, car systems
- Discovery & UX: Best-in-class recommendation engine, social sharing (Discover Weekly, Release Radar)
User Base:
- Q4 2025: 751M MAUs, 290M Premium subscribers
- Q3 2025: 713M MAUs, 281M Premium subscribers
🍎 Apple Music
- Monthly Pricing (US): Individual $10.99, Family $16.99, Student $5.99
- Catalog Size: 100M+ tracks
- Lossless Quality: Included — ALAC 16-bit/44.1 kHz up to 24/192 + spatial audio
- Audio Normalization: ~–16 LUFS (most dynamic)
- Platform Availability: iOS, Android, Web, Mac, Windows, Apple Watch, HomePod, CarPlay
- Discovery & UX: Strong curated content, radio stations, seamless Apple ecosystem integration
- User Base: ~100M paid users
🛒 Amazon Music Unlimited
- Monthly Pricing (US): Prime members $9.99, Non-Prime $10.99, Family $16.99
- Catalog Size: 100M+ tracks
- Lossless Quality: Included — HD & Ultra HD (up to 24-bit/192 kHz)
- Audio Normalization: ~–13 LUFS (loudest)
- Platform Availability: iOS, Android, Web, Alexa devices, Fire TV, Sonos, CarPlay, Android Auto
- Discovery & UX: Great value for Prime members, Audible credit monthly, Alexa voice control integration
- User Base: ~52.5M (HD tier subscribers)
🔊 Tidal
- Monthly Pricing (US): Tidal restructured its plans in April 2024, collapsing everything into one tier. Current pricing: Individual $11/month, Family $17/month, Student $5/month.
- Catalog Size: 100M+ tracks + 650K music videos
- Lossless Quality: Hi-Res FLAC up to 24-bit/192 kHz Tidal phased out MQA in favor of FLAC.)
- Audio Normalization: ~–14 LUFS
- Platform Availability: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Web, WatchOS, CarPlay, Android Auto, TVs, Tesla
- Discovery & UX: Premium audiophile experience, exclusive content, professional mastering presets
- User Base: ~3–4M paid users
🎵 Deezer
- Monthly Pricing (US): Premium $10.99, Family $17.99, Student $5.99, HiFi included (no extra cost)
- Catalog Size: 120M+ tracks (largest listed)
- Lossless Quality: FLAC 16-bit/44.1 kHz (HiFi) included with Premium; no higher-res than CD quality
- Audio Normalization: ~–14 LUFS
- Platform Availability: iOS, Android, Web, Mac, Windows, smart TVs, Sonos, CarPlay, Android Auto, Wearables
- Discovery & UX: Known for Flow, a strong AI-powered personal mix engine; solid editorial curation; lyrics integration; podcasts
- User Base: ~9.6M paid subscribers (2024), ~16M total active users