Artyfile Stream vs TIDAL
Artyfile Stream vs TIDAL
TIDAL is a large hi-res catalogue for audiophiles; Artyfile Stream is a label’s hi-fi service that streams its own recordings as uncompressed WAV masters and guarantees rights holders at least €0.03 per stream.
TIDAL built its name on sound quality and artist ownership. For listeners who come to it for both reasons, here is how Artyfile Stream compares today.
Where TIDAL is stronger
A full multi-label catalogue, FLAC from 16-bit/44.1 kHz up to HiRes 24-bit/192 kHz where the rights holder delivered it, offline listening, DJ features and a 30-day trial for new users. Artyfile has no files above 48 kHz and no DJ or network-player integrations.
| Artyfile Stream | TIDAL | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €9.90 / €14.90 / €19.90 a month for 100 / 250 / 500 streams | Individual €12.99 / month since 3 Aug 2026; Family €21.99 |
| Listening model | Monthly stream allowance (a stream counts after 15 s) | Unlimited |
| Best audio quality | Uncompressed WAV studio master, 44.1 or 48 kHz, up to 24-bit | FLAC up to 24-bit/192 kHz (HiRes, where delivered) |
| Catalogue | 850+ recordings produced by Artyfile | Multi-label catalogue (TIDAL states different totals) |
| How artists are paid | User-centric pool, at least €0.03 per stream guaranteed | No figure published; direct artist payouts ended 2023 |
| Your own files | My Music: private locker, 10 / 30 / 50 GB (WAV, FLAC, MP3, AAC) | No listener locker |
| Try first | Free 30-second previews on the web; no free tier | 30-day trial |
TIDAL facts from tidal.com and support.tidal.com; German price and payout history from hifi.de and Music Business Worldwide (secondary). See sources below.
Price in 2026
TIDAL raised its European prices on 3 August 2026; the Individual plan now costs €12.99 a month (previously €10.99) and Family €21.99. Artyfile Stream starts at €9.90 for 100 streams a month, with 250 streams for €14.90 and 500 for €19.90 — a different, allowance-based model rather than unlimited listening.
How artists are paid
TIDAL does not publish a current per-stream figure. Its “direct artist payouts” programme, which sent part of a subscriber’s fee to the most-played artist, ended in 2023 according to press reports. Artyfile Stream’s model is written into its terms: each subscriber’s artist pool (€12.00 of €19.90 on Standard) is shared among what they play, never less than €0.03 per counted stream.
Questions
- Is Artyfile Stream a good TIDAL alternative for audiophiles?
- For its own label recordings, yes: they stream as uncompressed WAV masters at 44.1 or 48 kHz, up to 24-bit. For a full catalogue in hi-res up to 192 kHz, TIDAL remains the broader choice; many listeners run both.
- Did TIDAL get more expensive?
- Yes. TIDAL raised prices on 3 August 2026; Individual now costs €12.99 a month in Germany and Austria.
- Can I upload my own files to TIDAL?
- TIDAL offers no locker for listeners’ own music libraries. Artyfile Stream’s My Music stores WAV, FLAC, MP3 and AAC files privately (10–50 GB by plan).
Sources
- TIDAL: Pricing, retrieved 27/09/2026
- TIDAL Support: Subscription price update (3 Aug 2026), retrieved 27/09/2026
- hifi.de: TIDAL raises prices (secondary), retrieved 27/09/2026
- TIDAL Support: HiRes FLAC audio, retrieved 27/09/2026
- Music Business Worldwide: TIDAL ends direct artist payouts (secondary), retrieved 27/09/2026
- Artyfile Terms and Conditions, §5 Artyfile Stream and §6 Artyfile for Artists, retrieved 27/09/2026
Facts checked on 27 September 2026.