The Highest Quality Music Streaming Services for Audiophiles
Updated
Four major services stream hi-res up to 24-bit/192 kHz: Qobuz, Tidal, Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited. Spotify's lossless stops at 24-bit/44.1 kHz (Spotify).
What you need to hear the difference
Hi-res needs a wired path. Bluetooth compresses the signal on the way to your headphones, so on AirPods or most wireless earbuds all of these services sound about the same. Use wired headphones with a USB DAC, or a network streamer.
The picks
- Qobuz: hi-res on every plan, Roon Ready, and a download store. Best for classical and jazz. Qobuz vs Spotify
- Tidal: hi-res plus the most Dolby Atmos music, and Tidal Connect for hi-fi gear. Tidal vs Qobuz
- Apple Music: hi-res and Spatial Audio at the lowest price of the four, but hi-res needs an external DAC on iPhone. Tidal vs Apple Music
- Amazon Music Unlimited: Ultra HD included, and cheaper with Prime.
Price calculator
ServiceCheapest firstMonth / yearPandora$10.99 / $131.88Apple Music$11.99 / $143.88YouTube Music$11.99 / $143.88Tidal$11.99 / $143.88Deezer$11.99 / $143.88Spotify$12.99 / $155.88Qobuz$12.99 / $155.88Amazon Music$12.99 / $155.88
Not checked yet: SoundCloud. Left out until we confirm current prices.
US prices, checked Sep 26, 2026. Yearly figure is 12 months at the monthly rate.