Can I open-source TIDAL?
YES · mature open-source replacementYes. Jellyfin (55k stars), Navidrome (23k stars), Koel (17k stars) are mature open-source replacements for TIDAL — self-host with docker and stop paying $11.99/mo.
People still pay for TIDAL because the product is the catalog, rights chain, and distribution network; a player or processing tool is only the visible edge. The recurring cost buys catalog licensing, royalties, identity, content delivery, moderation, recommendations, payouts, codecs, and rights disputes, not just the visible interface.
xlicensed catalog, artist relationships, high-resolution delivery, recommendations, and apps
xlicensed music catalog
xroyalty and distribution relationships
xglobal streaming infrastructure
xartist network and recommendations
These projects already replace it, free.
JJellyfinA media server that also handles music, because apparently your albums can live beside your films.open source↗NNavidromeYour music, your disk, your streaming server; the licensed catalogue is the part it cannot clone.open source↗KKoelA clean personal jukebox; solo listening is free, team features are not.open source↗What each one is, in full: Jellyfin · Navidrome
all 7 open-source alternatives to TIDAL →· no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
TIDAL pricing
| plan | monthly | annual (per mo) | what you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| individual | $11.99/user | — | 1 account; full catalog and lossless/high-resolution streaming. |
| family | $19.99 | — | Up to 6 total accounts. |
| student | $6.99/user | — | 1 verified student account; reverification every 12 months. |
free tierno free tier
billingMonthly only; no annual plan is publicly offered. A 30-day trial is promotional, not a permanent free tier.
hidden costsThe optional DJ add-on is extra, but TIDAL's own live pages conflict on its current U.S. amount ($7.50, $8 or $9/month); checkout is required to resolve it. Taxes, app-store billing and regional prices can differ.
verified 2026-08-12 · source ↗
Can I open-source TIDAL?
Yes. Jellyfin replaces TIDAL today — self-host it on your own server or machine with no subscription. The full list of open-source alternatives is on this page.
How much does TIDAL cost?
TIDAL costs about $11.99/month (Individual, checked 2026-08-12), which is $143.88 per year. That's what you save by replacing it with open source.
What do I lose by replacing TIDAL?
Honestly: licensed catalog, artist relationships, high-resolution delivery, recommendations, and apps; licensed music catalog; royalty and distribution relationships; global streaming infrastructure; artist network and recommendations. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to TIDAL?
Yes: Jellyfin (A media server that also handles music, because apparently your albums can live beside your films.) Navidrome (Your music, your disk, your streaming server; the licensed catalogue is the part it cannot clone.) Koel (A clean personal jukebox; solo listening is free, team features are not.) All 7 curated open-source alternatives are at caniopensourceit.online/tidal/alternatives.