Our verdict: Qobuz is the streaming service for listeners who care most about sound quality and also buy albums. There is no free listening tier: after the one-month trial you need a Studio or Sublime subscription.
About Qobuz
Qobuz is a French music service run by Xandrie SA. The Windows app streams over 100 million tracks in CD quality and 24-bit hi-res up to 192 kHz, offers offline listening, editorial articles and playlists, and gives access to the Qobuz download store.
The app is free, but listening needs a subscription. Studio starts from $10.83 per month and Sublime from $14.99 per month, which adds discounts of up to 60% on hi-res purchases. A one-month free trial is available; Qobuz requires a valid payment method to start it but does not charge before the trial ends.
What it does well
- Hi-res streaming. FLAC up to 24-bit / 192 kHz and CD quality for every subscriber.
- Download store. Buy and download albums in hi-res or CD quality.
- Offline listening. Save music for listening without internet.
- Editorial content. Weekly articles, reviews and expert playlists.
- Hi-fi integration. Works with Qobuz Connect and many hi-fi brands and streamers.
Who it is for
Good fit
Audiophiles who want hi-res streaming and sometimes buy albums to keep.
Look elsewhere
People who want free streaming or the largest selection of podcasts and social features.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Hi-res audio on every plan
- Download store with subscriber discounts
- Strong editorial content
- Wide hi-fi hardware support
Cons
- No free listening tier
- Trial requires a payment method
- Fewer podcasts and social features than Spotify
How to install Qobuz
The download button gets the 64-bit Qobuz installer from Qobuz's server. Sign in with an account that has an active subscription or trial. For bit-perfect playback, pick your audio device and enable exclusive mode in the app's audio settings.
Questions about Qobuz
Is Qobuz free?
The app is free, but streaming needs a subscription from $10.83 per month (Studio). New users get a one-month free trial; a payment method is required, but you are not charged before it ends.
Can I keep music after cancelling?
Albums you buy from the Qobuz store are yours to download. Music saved offline from a subscription only plays while the subscription is active.
Does Qobuz stream in hi-res on Windows?
Yes. Qobuz says all its applications support 24-bit hi-res playback.
