- TIDAL plans and prices after the trial
- How to start the TIDAL free trial
- Why you might be charged immediately
- Student trial: 30 days, then the discount
- DJ plans and the trial
- Using a gift card
- Family plan: one trial for the household
- Price changes to watch
- How to change or cancel
- What to test in 30 days
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
TIDAL offers a 30-day free trial to new subscribers. You add a payment method when you sign up, and TIDAL says you'll be charged monthly after the 30-day trial. If you've trialled TIDAL before or had an account, you're not eligible for another trial, which is why some people are charged straight away.
A month is long enough to hear TIDAL on your own headphones, in your car and on your speakers before committing. It's a simple trial, with a few useful rules for students, families and DJs.
TIDAL plans and prices after the trial
These are the subscription types TIDAL's help centre lists, in US dollars, as of October 2026. TIDAL says prices and plans may vary by location and taxes.
| Plan | Price after the trial | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TIDAL Individual | $11.99 a month | One listener |
| TIDAL Family | $19.99 a month | Up to 6 family members |
| TIDAL Student | $6.99 a month | Eligible students; verification needed |
| TIDAL DJ Individual | $19.99 a month | Streams to compatible DJ hardware and software |
| TIDAL DJ Student | $14.49 a month | Eligible students |
How to start the TIDAL free trial
- Go to tidal.com and select Start Free Trial.
- Sign up with your email address and choose a profile name. TIDAL says the profile name is public and you can change it later.
- Enter your date of birth and agree to TIDAL's Terms of Use.
- Choose your subscription type and add a payment method.
- Note the date. TIDAL charges monthly after the 30-day free trial.
Why you might be charged immediately
TIDAL's help centre answers this directly: free trials are for new subscribers only. If you've already trialled TIDAL or had an account before, you're not eligible for another free trial, so the first payment is taken when you sign up. If that's you, check your old account before creating a new one.
Student trial: 30 days, then the discount
TIDAL Student also starts with a 30-day free trial, after which the discounted student rate applies. The catch is re-verification. TIDAL says if you don't reverify before 11 months are up, the full individual price is charged on your next billing date. Put a reminder in your calendar for month ten, so a missed check doesn't quietly move you onto the full price.
DJ plans and the trial
New subscribers who sign up for a TIDAL DJ plan get a 30-day free trial with full access to TIDAL DJ. If you're already on a 30-day trial of Individual or Student, TIDAL says you can add TIDAL DJ during the trial without reducing the time you have left.
One limit: if your TIDAL subscription is billed through Apple or Google, TIDAL says you'll need to cancel there and subscribe directly through TIDAL to get DJ.
Using a gift card
If you're a new subscriber redeeming a TIDAL gift card, TIDAL says your subscription still includes the 30-day free trial, and the gift card balance is used at the end of the trial. That's more generous than most streaming services, where a gift card often replaces the trial.
Family plan: one trial for the household
The Family plan covers up to 6 family members on one subscription. TIDAL's help centre says the primary account holder logs in at account.tidal.com, selects Family, then Invite family member and enters each person's email. Existing TIDAL users click Accept Invitation and Join Family, while new users choose Join Family and set a password. If you're trialling for the household, invite everyone in the first week so they all get a fair test before the 30 days end.
Price changes to watch
TIDAL has been updating prices in some countries. Its help centre has a Germany Subscription Price Update article saying that, if customers accept the new price, it takes effect on the first billing date on or after November 19, 2026. If you're outside the US, check the price shown at sign-up rather than relying on the US figures above. The trial itself is the same 30 days wherever TIDAL is available, but the price you move onto afterwards is set by your country, so it's the figure on your own sign-up screen that counts.
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How to change or cancel
TIDAL says you can modify your subscription at any time at account.tidal.com. If you're trialling and decide it isn't for you, change or cancel your plan there before the 30 days are up. If you subscribed through Apple or Google, manage it in that app store instead.
What to test in 30 days
- Play the same albums you know well on TIDAL and your current service, on the same headphones.
- Check the apps on every device you use: phone, laptop, car and smart speaker.
- Build or import a couple of playlists so you can judge discovery, not just sound.
- If you share music at home, compare the Family plan with what you pay for each person now.
If you're comparing music apps, my Spotify alternatives roundup covers the main rivals, and for a different free trial, see how the Apple Music free trial works.
My verdict
The TIDAL free trial is a straightforward 30 days for new subscribers, and long enough to tell whether you hear the difference. Choose the plan you'd keep, students should diarise re-verification, and gift card buyers still get the full trial. If you've had TIDAL before, expect to pay from day one.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the TIDAL free trial?
30 days. TIDAL says you'll be charged monthly after the 30-day free trial.
Why did TIDAL charge me straight away?
TIDAL says free trials are for new subscribers only. If you've already trialled TIDAL or had an account before, you're not eligible for another free trial.
How much is TIDAL after the free trial?
As of October 2026, TIDAL lists Individual at $11.99 a month, Family at $19.99 a month for up to 6 members, and Student at $6.99 a month, in US dollars. Prices vary by location.
Does TIDAL Student have a free trial?
Yes. TIDAL says each new Student sign-up includes a 30-day free trial, after which the discounted rate applies.
Can I use a gift card with the TIDAL free trial?
Yes. TIDAL says new subscribers who redeem a gift card still get the 30-day free trial, and the gift card is deducted at the end of the trial.
