Tidal vs SoundCloud: Which One to Choose [2024]

Part 1. General Introduction: Tidal vs SoundCloud

Tidal is a subscription-based global music streaming service that offers high-fidelity music and high-definition music videos with exclusive content. It also has a social media component that allows users to connect with other fans and artists. Tidal was launched in 2014, currently owned by Jay-Z.

SoundCloud is a music and podcast streaming platform that enables its users to listen to millions of songs from around the world and upload their original music. It has a large community of users who create and share remixes, covers, and other creative content. SoundCloud was started in 2007 by Alexander Ljung and Eric Wahlforss.

Part 2. Tidal vs SoundCloud for DJ

Tidal and SoundCloud both offer unique features that cater to DJs, but they serve different purposes and have distinct advantages. Now, let's find the differences about Tidal vs SoundCloud for DJ.

Tidal for DJ

👍 High-Quality Audio: Tidal offers high-fidelity audio streaming including lossless FLAC and MQA formats. It can provide superior sound quality for DJs.

See also: How to Download Tidal MQA Files on Desktop/Mobile

👍 Integration with DJ Software: Tidal integrates with select DJ software platforms like djay and Serato DJ, allowing DJs to access Tidal's music catalog directly.

👍 Extensive Music Catalog: Tidal boasts a vast library of songs that can be valuable for DJs looking for diverse music options.

👍 Offline Playback: Tidal allows users to download tracks for offline listening. This function can be beneficial for DJs who perform in venues with limited internet access.

SoundCloud for DJ

👍 DJ Community: SoundCloud has a vibrant community of DJs and producers to share their original tracks, remixes, and mixes. It provides DJs with a source of fresh and diverse music content.

👍 Discover New Music: SoundCloud's recommendation algorithms and discovery features make it easy for DJs to find emerging artists and underground tracks that may not be available on Tidal.

👍 Remixes and Mashups: SoundCloud is known for its extensive collection of remixes, and mashups. It is a valuable resource for DJs looking to incorporate unique and creative tracks into their sets.

👍 Connect with Artist: SoundCloud allows DJs to connect directly with artists, follow their favorite creators, and collaborate on music projects.

👍 Integration with DJ Software: Also, you can seamlessly access SoundCloud djay and SoundCloud Serato DJ by using a SoundCloud Go+ subscription.

Part 3. Sound Quality: Tidal vs SoundCloud Quality

Tidal's greatest attraction and advantage is its music streaming quality. A large number of High-fidelity or lossless tracks have an MQA sound quality audio quality (up to 24-bit, 192 kHz). Tidal HiFi members can have access to high sound quality (up to 16-bit, 44.1 kHz). And the normal users have a bitrate of 320 kbps.

See also: Tidal HiFi vs Master: Which One Is Better

Compared to Tidal, SoundCloud's audio quality is a great defect. Most SoundCloud tracks stream at 128kbps and tracks in 256kbps AAC format are available for SoundCloud Go+ subscribers only.

Part 4. Subscription Plans & Price

Tidal Plans & Price

Tidal offers two tiers of subscription plans. With Tidal HiFi, users get to enjoy Tidal music with high sound quality and expertly curated editorial. Upgrading to Tidal HiFi Plus, users have access to lossless high-fidelity sound quality, Tidal 360 Reality Audio, and Tidal Dolby Atmos.

Tidal does not offer free listening, but it offers a 30-day free trial for each subscription plan. Everyone can get Tidal for free in the permitted period. Tidal HiFi costs USD 10.99 a month while Tidal HiFi Plus costs $19.99/month. After verification, students can get a discount at $4.99 and $9.99 per month and are required to reverify every 12 months. For US Military and First Responders including EMTs, EMS, firefighters, and police officers, they can enjoy a discount at $5.99 and $11.99/month, after confirming eligibility. The family plan for HiFi costs $16.99/ month available for 6 accounts in total and family HiFi Plus charges $29.99/month.

See also: How to Get Tidal Free Trial 6 Months

SoundCloud Plans & Price

SoundCloud has a free version in which users can access a great amount of music. Visiting their official website, you can even enjoy SoundCloud music with advertisements but without logging in or signing up for a new account, which can be quite convenient for people at work who just want some random music sometimes. How much is SoundCloud Go? SoundCloud offers two tiers of subscription plans: SoundCloud Go for $4.99/month and SoundCloud Go+ for $9.99/month. New users can have a 7-day free trial for SoundCloud Go and 30 days for SoundCloud Go+. If you are a student, you can get the SoundCloud Go+ plan with $4.99/month. Both subscription plans support offline playback and ad-free listening, But SoundCloud Go+ allows users access to a full catalog with no previews and high-quality audio.

But it's worth mentioning that SoundCloud also has two plans for artists: SoundCloud Basic for free and SoundCloud Pro Unlimited for $16/month. With Pro Unlimited, artists get to upload any type of audio without a time limit, and schedule releases, etc.

Part 5. Music Library

Tidal is now available in 53 countries, with over 80 million songs and over 350,000 videos in their catalog. They also offer podcasts and thousands of playlists curated by industry experts, music journalists, and artists themselves. Tidal Music Library also has a curated selection of playlists and radio stations, as well as a social media component that allows you to connect with other users and share your music.

SoundCloud has a larger music library because this platform encourages many independent musicians to upload their original music here. They claim to possess over 320 million songs currently. SoundCloud has a more limited selection of music, but it does have a wider variety of independent artists.

Part 6. Music Discovery

Tidal owns much exclusive music as well, for example, Beyoncé's 2019 album Lemonade debuted on Tidal exclusively for quite a long time. Many users also comment that Tidal does a good job of curating playlists for users according to their listening habits. Just give it a few weeks, and Tidal's algorithm is able to serve you something that will excite you.

Tidal also recommends popular playlists, mood-based playlists, and a Tidal Rising section for users to discover new talent. Nonetheless, some users sense that Tidal is somewhat leaning towards Hip-Hop and Rap music.

SoundCloud relies greatly on its creative users to upload no matter cover or original tracks, so you can discover many talented musicians here. Also, it has a personalized recommendation system to take into account your listening history, preferences, and interactions on the platform to suggest music that you might enjoy.

In summary, while Tidal offers curated content and exclusive releases, SoundCloud excels in providing a platform for discovering emerging artists, user-generated content, and community engagement. The choice of Tidal or SoundCloud for music discovery depends on your preferences.

Part 7. Music Sharing

Tidal and SoundCloud share some similarities when it comes to music sharing. Both platforms have embedded with Facebook and Twitter so you can share music with your friends easily. Moreover, on SoundCloud, you can share music on Pinterest or Tumblr directly. Alternatively, you can copy the URL of the Tidal or SoundCloud track, or playlist you like, and send it to your friends via Messages or any social media.

See also: How to Disconnect Tidal from Facebook

Part 8. Availability

SoundCloud: Web Player, iOS and Android devices, Windows(beta), MacOS, Sonos, and Windows Phone

Tidal: Web Player, Windows 7 or above, MacOS, iOS and Android devices, some speakers, TVs, and cars.

See also: How to Play Tidal in Car

However, both platforms share some limitations, just like other music streaming services. Though you can download music for offline listening after subscription, you may not find the local audio files. It means you may not be able to play Tidal or SoundCloud music on some devices because they have not yet great integrations with most devices.

Fortunately, there are tools on the market that can solve the problem for you. With the help of the AudFree Tidal Music Converter, you can download music from Tidal to computers and keep it forever. It is also capable of converting Tidal music into other common audio formats such as MP3, WAV, FLAC, etc. so that you can play them on any device.

For users who want to download SoundCloud music and keep it forever, it is also possible via SoundCloud Music Downloader.

Part 9. SoundCloud vs Tidal: Highlight Features

In the SoundCloud vs Tidal comparison, you can get some highlight features of them.

⭐ Tidal

Offering the best streaming music quality in the industry.

Fully integrated with numerous platforms.

Tidal X brings artists and audiences close by hosting Livestream festivals, concerts, or exclusive live events.

⭐ SoundCloud

SoundCloud free version can satisfy many users' needs.

Great platform for talented independent artists. The catalog continues to update rapidly.

Great place for Indie music fans to discover new music.

Part 10. Tidal vs SoundCloud vs Beatport

Apart from the detailed comparison between Tidal and SoundCloud, many people would like to know what is Beatport and the relevant knowledge about Tidal vs SoundCloud vs Beatport.

What Is Beatport

Beatport is an online music store and streaming service that specializes in electronic dance music (EDM) which was founded in 2004. Beatport offers a wide variety of EDM genres. The store sells both individual tracks and full albums, and it also offers a subscription service that gives users access to its entire catalog of music.

In addition to its music store, Beatport also offers a number of other services, including a DJ software platform, a music production marketplace, and a live streaming platform. Beatport is a popular destination for DJs and electronic music fans around the world, and it is considered to be one of the leading sources of EDM music.

Beatport Main Features

👍 Focus on Electronic Music: Beatport specializes in electronic dance music (EDM), offering a comprehensive selection of tracks, remixes, and DJ mixes. You can find various electronic genres, including techno, house, trance, and more.

👍 DJ-Friendly Features: Beatport provides DJ-friendly features such as key and tempo information. It allows DJs to browse and purchase tracks tailored to their mixing needs. It is a go-to platform for professional DJs and electronic music enthusiasts.

👍 Exclusive Releases and Charts: Beatport frequently features exclusive releases, charts, and playlists curated by top DJs and labels. It offers users access to cutting-edge music and trends within the electronic music scene.

👍 Integration with DJ Software: Beatport integrates seamlessly with popular DJ software, allowing DJs to purchase and download tracks directly.

In summary, Beatport specializes in electronic music and provides DJ-friendly features for professionals. The differences about Tidal vs SoundCloud vs Beatport are in several aspects. Which one is suitable for you depends on your special needs.

Extra Tips: How to Download Tidal Music without Premium

Regardless of whether you choose Tidal or SoundCloud, you can save their music as local songs through third-party tools. Here, we are going to share a tool for Tidal. It is the AudFree Tidal Music Downloader. It can help you download and convert Tidal songs to common audio formats including MP3, FLAC, AIFF, etc. without Premium. Besides, it supports preserving lossless sound quality and original ID3 tags. You can also customize the other output parameters like bit rate, and sample rate. With it, you can easily download Tidal audio at up to 37X faster speed in bulk.

AudFree Tidal Music Downloader

• Convert Tidal music to MP3, FLAC, etc.
• Keep lossless sound quality and metadata
• Support faster 37X conversion speed
• Convert batches of Tidal songs at a time

Download

Download

Step 1Adjust Tidal output settings

Please download and launch the AudFree Tidal Music Converter on your PC. Click the 'Menu' > 'Preferences' > 'Conversion' tab. On the window, set your wanted output settings and then choose 'OK'.

Step 2Import Tidal audio to AudFree

On the built-in Tidal web player, choose the audio content and click the '+ ♫' icon > 'Add to list' button to load songs to the downloader.

Step 3Convert Tidal songs locally

Now, hit the big 'Convert' button in the Converting window to start converting. After that, go to the 'Converted' button can find your local downloaded Tidal music files.

To Sum Up

After comparing side by side, you may have a clear look at Tidal vs SoundCloud. What Tidal and SoundCloud offer are quite different. Therefore, which one to choose depends on what you need. If you are looking for a free music streaming service with a great amount of music, then SoundCloud is a better choice for you. If you are an audiophile, Tidal is your best option. You also can get AudFree Tidal Music Downloader to get Tidal high-quality songs for playing on other music players without Premium.