Tidal Music Streaming: Suitable for students?

Its entry into the market can be described as nothing other than a flamboyant display of support by 18 of music’s powerhouses all standing side-by-side looking to make a mark. Tidal did not fail to draw attention to its brand with what it hopes will drown out the increasing number of competing streaming options. But for a poor lowly student, how does it really compare?

Performing a cost-benefit analysis is a process every student is very familiar with. When you’re on a shoestring budget, you want to get real bang for your buck. Now that there is a degree of competition in the music streaming market, it’s time to see which of the powerhouse music streaming platforms suits the student.

Before delving into the cost analysis of Tidal, it is important to note that if you compare the interface between Tidal and its biggest competitor, Spotify, there really isn’t a great difference. Both have platforms for iOS, Android and web players that have an easy to use setup. Both have music discovery options that tailor suggestions to the users’ latest downloads and both are linked to social networks enabling the user to both share and discover music. The real point of difference comes down to Tidal’s lossless audio option and music video collection.

In Australia, you will get the same perks with Spotify and Tidal for your ten dollars a month. Both give you access to over 20 million songs and can play a decent quality of audio at that level. However, Tidal offers a lossless audio option and access to 75,000 music videos if you opt to pay 24 dollars a month. This is a pricey jump but a really important inclusion, whilst having this package is dependent on the user’s speakers being able to play a higher quality audio, it allows the user to have an added value option in their music streaming platform.

What I really like about this option, is that Tidal have allowed the user to make a choice and have no penalty for leaving Spotify. Users will pay the same amount for the same basic package, have the option to test the lossless audio and music video option, all whilst using an interface and setup very similar to Spotify. It then gives the user the option to have access to a package that no other music streaming service provides… yet.

Students are inherently frugal, but passionate. Universities are an environment where music is constantly being shared and students undergo journeys of musical exploration. It is easy to see Tidal as being an affordable music streaming option for every student – from the background music studier, to the party host who boasts their expensive gear, it offers users their music preferences, at no penalty.

To experience Tidal for yourself go to: http://tidal.com/au