Tidal and Deezer do not get the headlines, but both pay artists better per stream than the biggest platforms. For independent artists, these services deserve a real look. Higher rates on smaller audiences can still mean meaningful money, and both platforms have features built for artist discovery.
Tidal has positioned itself as the artist-friendly service, with higher per-stream payouts and initiatives that direct more money to the artists fans actually listen to. Its user base is smaller but engaged, and hip-hop and R&B audiences are strong there. If your fans are on Tidal, the math rewards you well.
Deezer’s user-centric payment experiments aim to fix streaming’s biggest fairness problem: your subscription money going to artists you never play. Under user-centric models, your fans’ money follows their listening. It is a fairer system for working artists with real fanbases, and worth supporting with your presence and promotion.
Do not ignore the smaller platforms. Distribute everywhere, promote where your fans are, and collect from every source. Tidal and Deezer will not replace your main income, but they add up and they treat artists better. Every stream counts more when the rate is fair.
Promote your presence on these platforms directly to fans. Most listeners default to the biggest apps out of habit, not loyalty. A simple call to action, like listening on Tidal or Deezer for better artist support, moves real numbers when your fanbase trusts you. Educate your audience about where their streams pay you best. Fans who love you will follow you to fairer platforms, and every migrated listener earns you more per play.
About the Author – Ruben Burgos: Ruben Burgos brings over 25 years of music expertise and more than 15 years of model guidance to the table. He is the indie major pinnacle to retaining credits for musicians and helping them navigate this wicked industry without the fuckery.