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iHeartRadio vs Tidal

iHeartRadio logo

iHeartRadio

Software

All your favorite music, podcasts, and radio

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tidal logo

Tidal

Software

High fidelity music streaming

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only iHeartRadio has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: iHeartRadio ad-free listening requires an iHeartRadio Plus or All Access subscription; Tidal tIDAL has no permanently free listening tier; after a 30-day trial a paid subscription is required
  • They diverge on capability: iHeartRadio covers Live radio, Tidal covers HiFi streaming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which iHeartRadio and Tidal actually diverge.

Attributes where iHeartRadio and Tidal differ
AttributeiHeartRadioTidal
Starting priceFree$10.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-speakersWeb, Ios, Android, Desktop
Founded20082014

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in iHeartRadio

  • Live radio
  • Custom stations
  • Podcasts
  • Events
  • Car systems
  • Smart-speakers support

Only in Tidal

  • HiFi streaming
  • Master quality
  • Music videos
  • Exclusive content
  • High-end audio systems
  • Download protection
  • Desktop support

Both cover

  • Smart speakers
  • Account security
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

iHeartRadio

  • Streaming live AM and FM radio stations over the internetnot Tidal
  • Listening to podcasts and live sports commentarynot Tidal
  • Building music playlists on a paid tiernot Tidal

Tidal

  • Streaming music in HiRes lossless up to 24-bit 192 kHz and Dolby Atmosnot iHeartRadio
  • Offline listening to a personal librarynot iHeartRadio
  • Casting lossless audio to supported hi-fi hardware over TIDAL Connectnot iHeartRadio

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

iHeartRadio

  • Ad-free listening requires an iHeartRadio Plus or All Access subscription
  • Unlimited skips and unlimited playlist creation require a paid subscription
  • Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the period ends
  • Any unused part of a free trial is forfeited when a subscription is purchased
  • The iOS app requires iOS 15.0 or later

Tidal

  • TIDAL has no permanently free listening tier; after a 30-day trial a paid subscription is required
  • The subscription renews automatically on a monthly basis
  • Lossless quality on external hardware needs TIDAL Connect and a supported device
  • The iOS app requires iOS 17 or later

Pricing, plan by plan

iHeartRadio

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Live radio
    • Podcasts
    • Ads
  • Plus$5.99/month
    • Unlimited skips
    • Offline playlists

Tidal

$10.99/month
  • HiFi$10.99/month
    • Lossless audio
    • Downloads
  • HiFi Plus$19.99/month
    • Master quality
    • Direct artist payouts

Which should you pick?

Choose iHeartRadio if

  • You need live radio.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
  • You also want custom stations.
iHeartRadio review

Choose Tidal if

  • You need hifi streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want master quality.
Tidal review

Questions people ask

Is iHeartRadio or Tidal better?
Neither clearly leads. iHeartRadio starts at Free and Tidal at $10.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, iHeartRadio or Tidal?
iHeartRadio has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for iHeartRadio and $10.99/month for Tidal.
Does iHeartRadio or Tidal run on more platforms?
iHeartRadio runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers. Tidal runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
Can I use iHeartRadio for free?
Yes. iHeartRadio has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Tidal starts at $10.99/month.
What is iHeartRadio best used for?
iHeartRadio is most often used for streaming live am and fm radio stations over the internet, listening to podcasts and live sports commentary, building music playlists on a paid tier. Of those, streaming live am and fm radio stations over the internet and listening to podcasts and live sports commentary are not what Tidal is typically brought in for.
What can iHeartRadio do that Tidal cannot?
iHeartRadio covers Live radio, Custom stations, Podcasts, Events. Tidal covers HiFi streaming, Master quality, Music videos, Exclusive content. Both handle Smart speakers, Account security, Web support, Ios support.
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Related pages

More on iHeartRadio

More on Tidal

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