Deezer, Tidal, and Secondary DSPs: Strategy for Artists

All Audiences | 10 min read

Most artists focus their streaming strategy almost entirely on Spotify. That makes sense on the surface: Spotify has 615 million monthly active users and dominates the conversation around playlists, algorithms, and discovery. But concentrating all of your attention on one platform means leaving money, audience, and strategic opportunity on every other DSP where your music is already distributed but not optimized.

The secondary DSP landscape is not small. Amazon Music has reached 100 million subscribers and holds 13% of the global market. Deezer has 16 to 23 million monthly active users and dominates in France, Brazil, and parts of Europe. Tidal has grown to 7.2 million subscribers and pays the highest per-stream rate among major platforms. SoundCloud has over 120 million users and pioneered a user-centric royalty model that directly benefits independent artists. Beatport is the primary discovery and purchasing platform for electronic and dance music. Each platform has distinct audiences, payment models, editorial cultures, and strategic advantages that reward artists who take the time to understand them.

The math makes this worth your attention. Tidal pays approximately $0.012 to $0.013 per stream, roughly four times what Spotify pays. Apple Music pays $0.007 to $0.01. Amazon Music pays $0.004 to $0.008. Even Deezer, at $0.006 to $0.007, pays more than double Spotify's rate. An artist who generates 100,000 streams across secondary DSPs at higher per-stream rates can earn more from those streams than from 200,000 streams on Spotify alone. Distributing widely is the baseline. Optimizing across platforms is where the additional revenue lives.

Beyond the per-stream rate differences, secondary DSPs offer three strategic advantages that Spotify and Apple Music cannot.

Less editorial competition. Spotify receives millions of pitches for editorial playlists. Deezer, Amazon Music, and Tidal receive far fewer. The editorial teams on these platforms are actively looking for quality music to feature, and the barrier to placement is meaningfully lower. An artist who cannot break through Spotify's editorial bottleneck may find consistent placement on Deezer's regional playlists or Amazon Music's growing editorial program. Those placements drive streams, engagement signals, and revenue that compound over time.

Geographic dominance. Some platforms own specific markets. Deezer has significant market share in France, Brazil, Germany, and the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa). If your music resonates in any of these territories, Deezer is not a secondary platform for you. It is a primary one. Amazon Music dominates voice-driven listening through Alexa and Echo devices, with 47% of Amazon Music listening happening on Echo devices. If your audience includes listeners who play music through smart speakers, Amazon Music is where they are finding it.

Payment model innovation. Deezer and SoundCloud have implemented user-centric payment models that distribute each subscriber's fee only to the artists that subscriber actually listens to. Under Spotify's pro-rata model, your streams compete against every other stream on the platform for a share of a pooled revenue total. Under Deezer's Artist-Centric Payment System, a listener who streams your music three times in a month directs their subscription revenue to you, not to artists they never listened to. This model benefits independent and niche artists with dedicated followings because the revenue connection between listener and artist is direct.

Market position. Deezer has between 16 and 23 million monthly active users globally, with particular strength in France (where it is a market leader), Brazil, Germany, and the MENA region. It offers a free ad-supported tier alongside paid subscriptions, and its editorial playlists carry significant weight in the markets it dominates.

Payment model. Deezer's Artist-Centric Payment System (ACPS), developed in partnership with Universal Music Group, is the most significant departure from the traditional pro-rata model among major DSPs. Under ACPS, streams are weighted based on listener engagement. Artists with more than 1,000 listens per month from at least 500 unique listeners receive a boost where one stream counts as two. Songs that fans actively search for or discover through Deezer editorial playlists (rather than algorithm-generated suggestions) receive doubled payouts. Deezer has also removed non-artistic noise content (rain sounds, white noise) from royalty calculations, redirecting that revenue to real musicians. Per-stream rates average $0.006 to $0.007.

Discovery algorithm. Deezer's "Flow" is their personalized radio feature, equivalent to Spotify's Discover Weekly in function but different in mechanics. Optimize for Flow by building engagement signals within the platform: saves, playlist adds, and repeat listens all feed the algorithm. Deezer's editorial teams curate by region, so build relationships with local editors in your strongest Deezer markets.

Artist tools. Deezer for Creators provides analytics, editorial pitch submission, and profile customization. The editorial pitch process is less saturated than Spotify's, which means well-crafted pitches have a higher probability of placement.

Strategy. Prioritize Deezer if you have any audience in France, Brazil, Germany, or the MENA region. Pitch to Deezer editorial for every release, targeting region-specific playlists. Encourage active fan behaviors (searching for your name, adding to personal playlists) because the ACPS model rewards those engagement signals with higher payouts. Release consistently: maintaining at least 500 unique monthly listeners unlocks the ACPS boost multiplier.

Market position. Tidal has approximately 7.2 million subscribers with an 18% subscriber growth rate. Its user base is smaller than every other major DSP, but its subscribers are highly engaged, quality-focused listeners who chose Tidal specifically for its audio fidelity and artist-first positioning.

Payment model. Tidal pays the highest per-stream rate among major streaming platforms at approximately $0.012 to $0.013 per stream. This is roughly four times Spotify's rate. The higher rate reflects Tidal's premium-only subscription model (no free tier diluting the revenue pool) and its smaller but higher-paying subscriber base. To earn $1,000 on Tidal requires approximately 76,000 streams, compared to roughly 250,000 to 333,000 on Spotify. Tidal has partnered with UMG to develop artist-centric payment approaches and has expanded direct-to-artist payment tools designed to help musicians build direct fan relationships.

Audio quality. Tidal's primary differentiator is sound quality. The platform offers lossless and high-resolution audio, spatial audio, and Dolby Atmos support. If your music is mixed and mastered to professional standards, Tidal is where quality-conscious listeners will hear it at its best. This positioning attracts audiophiles, music enthusiasts, and listeners who care about production craft. Highlight audio quality in your Tidal profile and in any promotion directed at Tidal's audience.

Artist tools. Tidal for Artists provides analytics, editorial pitch submission, and profile management. Tidal has also introduced a direct artist upload service, allowing independent artists to distribute directly to the platform. The editorial team curates with attention to artistic quality and sonic craftsmanship.

Strategy. Pitch to Tidal editorial for every release, emphasizing production quality and artistic vision. If your music features high-fidelity production, spatial audio mixing, or audiophile-grade mastering, mention this in your pitch because it aligns with what Tidal's editorial team values and what their audience seeks. Promote Tidal links alongside Spotify and Apple Music links, particularly to fans who care about audio quality. Even modest stream counts on Tidal generate meaningful revenue because of the per-stream rate advantage.

Market position. Amazon Music has reached 100 million subscribers, making it the third-largest streaming platform behind Spotify and Apple Music. It holds 13% of the global streaming market with $7.2 billion in revenue, growing 18% year over year. Amazon Music's growth is driven by its integration with the broader Amazon ecosystem: Prime membership includes Amazon Music access, and Alexa and Echo devices provide a voice-driven listening experience that no other platform matches.

Payment model. Amazon Music pays approximately $0.004 to $0.008 per stream, with some analyses placing the average closer to $0.006 to $0.008. This is higher than Spotify and comparable to Deezer. In 2025, Amazon Music paid out $2.8 billion to rights holders, with 73% of catalog from independent artists. The platform's multiple subscription tiers (Prime Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, and a free ad-supported tier) create variable per-stream rates depending on how the listener accesses the service.

Voice search and Alexa integration. This is Amazon Music's most distinctive strategic feature. 47% of Amazon Music listening happens on Echo devices, meaning listeners are asking Alexa to play music rather than browsing and selecting it visually. This has direct implications for how you title your songs and present your artist name. Clear, unambiguous song titles that Alexa can easily interpret outperform titles with unusual spellings, special characters, or names that sound similar to other popular songs. If a fan says "Alexa, play [your song title]" and Alexa cannot match it, the stream goes to someone else.

Artist tools. Amazon Music for Artists provides streaming analytics, audience demographics, and voice request data that shows how often fans ask Alexa to play your music. This voice request metric is unique to Amazon and provides insight into how your audience discovers and plays music in their daily lives.

Strategy. Claim your Amazon Music for Artists profile immediately if you have not already. Optimize song titles for voice clarity. Pitch to Amazon Music editorial, which has a growing team that is less competitive than Spotify's. Promote Amazon Music links to fans who use Alexa and Echo devices. Monitor voice request data to understand which songs fans are asking for by name, and use that insight to inform your release strategy and promotional messaging.

Market position. SoundCloud has over 120 million users and more than 320 million tracks. It remains the primary discovery platform for independent, emerging, and underground artists, particularly in hip-hop, electronic, and experimental genres. SoundCloud is not just a streaming platform. It is a community where artists upload directly, receive timestamped comments, and build followings without needing a distributor or label.

Payment model. SoundCloud's Fan-Powered Royalties, introduced in 2021, was the first user-centric payment model among major platforms. Under this system, each SoundCloud Go or Go+ subscriber's payment is distributed only to the artists they actually stream. Per-stream rates range from $0.0025 to $0.004, lower than most paid-only platforms but higher than the effective rate many independent artists receive on Spotify's ad-supported tier. The model directly benefits artists with dedicated fan bases who stream their music repeatedly, because each fan's subscription revenue flows to the artists they listen to rather than being diluted across the entire platform.

Strategy. If you are an independent or emerging artist, SoundCloud remains valuable for community building and direct fan connection, even if per-stream revenue is lower. Upload works-in-progress, demos, and exclusive content that you would not put on Spotify. Use SoundCloud's social features (reposts, comments, playlists) to build relationships with other artists and curators in your genre. The audience that discovers you on SoundCloud often becomes your most committed fan base across all platforms.

Market position. Beatport is the dominant platform for electronic and dance music discovery, purchasing, and DJ-oriented streaming. If you produce electronic music in any subgenre, Beatport is not a secondary DSP. It is the primary marketplace where DJs discover, preview, and purchase tracks for their sets.

Unique features. Beatport's charts (including Hype Charts for emerging tracks) drive DJ playlists and club play in ways that no other platform replicates. Beatport LINK provides streaming access for DJs, allowing them to integrate tracks directly into their DJ software. A chart position on Beatport translates to real-world club play and festival sets, creating a discovery pathway that does not exist on general-audience streaming platforms.

Strategy. If you make electronic music, prioritize Beatport releases. Time your release to maximize chart impact (releases on the same day as major artists in your subgenre will face stiffer competition). Build relationships with Beatport editorial and genre-specific curators. Monitor which DJs are purchasing or streaming your tracks and build relationships with those who play your music consistently.

Optimizing for multiple DSPs does not mean doing entirely different things for each platform. It means establishing a baseline of best practices and layering platform-specific optimizations on top.

Claim every artist profile. Every DSP has an artist portal: Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, Deezer for Creators, Tidal for Artists, Amazon Music for Artists, SoundCloud for Artists. Claim all of them. Each portal provides analytics, profile customization, and editorial pitch tools. An unclaimed profile is a missed opportunity for editorial consideration and fan connection.

Pitch to all DSPs for every release. Your distributor can submit to most DSP editorial teams, but platform-specific artist portals often allow direct pitching with more detail and context. Submit pitches 4 or more weeks before release through each platform's dashboard. Tailor the pitch to each platform's editorial values: emphasize audio quality for Tidal, regional relevance for Deezer, and voice search clarity for Amazon Music.

Use platform-specific assets. Spotify supports Canvas (looping video on the now-playing screen). Apple Music integrates lyrics display. Deezer's Flow algorithm rewards saves and playlist adds. Each platform has features that enhance the listener experience, and using them signals to the editorial team and the algorithm that you are an active, engaged artist on their platform.

Monitor geographic data across platforms. Your Spotify audience and your Deezer audience may be in completely different countries. Use each platform's analytics to identify where your listeners are geographically, and adjust your promotional efforts accordingly. If you discover a growing audience in Brazil through Deezer data, that is a signal to invest in promotion targeting Brazilian listeners, potentially through Deezer-specific playlist pitching, Portuguese-language social media content, or targeted advertising in that market.

Track revenue by platform. Your distributor's dashboard should show revenue breakdown by DSP. Review this quarterly. If a secondary DSP is generating disproportionate revenue relative to its stream count (because of higher per-stream rates), that platform deserves more promotional attention. Small DSP revenue adds up. An artist earning $50 per month each from Deezer, Tidal, Amazon Music, and SoundCloud is earning an additional $200 per month, or $2,400 per year, that they would miss by focusing exclusively on Spotify.

Claim your profiles on Amazon Music for Artists, Deezer for Creators, and Tidal for Artists if you have not already. Review your distributor dashboard to identify which secondary DSPs are generating the most revenue. For your next release, pitch to all DSPs individually and track which platforms deliver editorial placements, audience growth, and per-stream revenue that justify continued attention.

Which streaming platform pays artists the most per stream?

Tidal pays the highest per-stream rate among major streaming platforms at approximately $0.012 to $0.013 per stream, roughly four times what Spotify pays ($0.003 to $0.005). Apple Music follows at $0.007 to $0.01, then Deezer at $0.006 to $0.007, and Amazon Music at $0.004 to $0.008. However, per-stream rate alone does not determine total revenue. Spotify's massive user base means it often generates the highest total earnings through volume despite its lower rate. The strongest strategy is distributing to all platforms while directing promotional attention to platforms where your specific audience is concentrated and per-stream rates are higher.

What is Deezer's Artist-Centric Payment System?

Deezer's Artist-Centric Payment System (ACPS), developed with Universal Music Group, weights streams based on listener engagement rather than treating all streams equally. Artists with more than 1,000 monthly listens from at least 500 unique listeners receive a boost where each stream counts as two. Songs that fans actively search for or discover through Deezer editorial playlists (not algorithm suggestions) receive doubled payouts. These boosts can stack, making qualifying streams worth up to four times the value of non-boosted streams. Deezer has also removed non-artistic noise content (rain sounds, white noise) from royalty calculations, redirecting that revenue to real musicians.

How does Amazon Music's Alexa integration affect artist strategy?

47% of Amazon Music listening happens on Echo and Alexa devices, meaning fans are asking Alexa to play music by voice rather than searching visually. This makes clear, unambiguous song titles essential. Titles with unusual spellings, special characters, or words that sound similar to popular songs from other artists may not be matched correctly by voice recognition. Amazon Music for Artists provides unique voice request data showing how often fans ask Alexa to play your music, giving you insight into voice-driven discovery patterns. Optimizing for voice search is a strategic advantage that no other DSP currently offers.

Should you focus on one streaming platform or distribute everywhere?

Distribute everywhere and promote strategically. Your distributor delivers your music to all major DSPs with a single upload, so there is no reason to limit availability. The strategic question is where to direct promotional energy. Review your analytics across all platforms to identify where your audience is growing, which platforms are generating the highest per-stream revenue, and where editorial placements are most achievable. An artist with a strong French audience should prioritize Deezer. An artist whose fans use smart speakers should focus on Amazon Music. An artist with audiophile-quality production should promote Tidal. The revenue from secondary DSPs compounds over time and can meaningfully increase total streaming income.

What is user-centric versus pro-rata streaming payment?

Under the pro-rata model used by Spotify and most platforms, all subscription and advertising revenue is pooled together and distributed to artists based on their share of total platform streams. Your subscription fee supports every artist on the platform proportionally, not just the ones you listen to. Under user-centric models (used by Deezer and SoundCloud), each subscriber's fee is distributed only among the artists they actually stream. If a listener plays three artists in a month, those three artists split that subscriber's payment. This model benefits independent and niche artists with dedicated fan bases because the revenue connection between listener and artist is direct rather than diluted across the entire platform's stream count.

SQ Magazine. "Music Streaming Statistics 2026: Global Trends, Platform Insights and User Behavior." October 2025. Platform subscriber data including Spotify 615 million MAU (305 million premium), Apple Music 110 million users, Amazon Music 90 million users, Tidal 7.2 million subscribers (18% growth), Deezer 23 million MAU, Boomplay 100 million installs, and SoundCloud payout data ($45 million to independent artists in 2025).

Affiliate Booster. "Amazon Music Statistics 2026: Complete Data and Insights." February 2026. Amazon Music reaching 100 million subscribers, 13% global market share, $7.2 billion revenue (18% YoY growth), 47% of listening on Echo devices, $2.8 billion paid to rights holders with 73% from indie artists, and $0.004 per stream average rate.

Identity Music. "7 Best Music Streaming Services for Artists (2026 Update)." January 2026. Platform comparison including Deezer (9.9 to 16 million listeners, strong editorial playlists, user-centric payment), Tidal (3 million core users, industry-leading audio quality, highest streaming revenues, direct artist payouts), and per-platform listener counts, library sizes, and feature comparisons.

Rebel Music Distribution. "Which Streaming Services Pay Artists the Most: 2025." November 2025. Per-stream rate estimates across all major platforms: Tidal $0.012 to $0.015, Apple Music $0.007 to $0.01, Deezer $0.006 to $0.007, Amazon Music $0.004 to $0.008, Spotify $0.003 to $0.005, and strategic recommendations for directing fan streams to higher-paying platforms.

Reprtoir. "Streaming Platforms: The Smartest Choice for Musicians." 2025. Platform strategy analysis including Deezer's artist-centric model (rewarding professional artists, doubling payouts for fan-selected tracks, eliminating noise content), Tidal's artist-first approach, SoundCloud's community value for independent artists, and cross-platform revenue optimization.

Deezer Official. "Artist-Centric Payment System (ACPS)." ACPS model details: 1,000 monthly listens from 500+ unique listeners for boost eligibility, doubled payouts for actively searched tracks and editorial playlist discoveries, combined boosts worth up to 4x standard streams, removal of non-artistic noise content from royalty pool, and partnership with Sacem for author rights in France from January 2025.

EDM Ranks. "How Much Do Music Streaming Platforms Pay Artists Per Stream in 2025." June 2025. Comprehensive per-stream rate comparison including SoundCloud Fan-Powered Royalties ($0.0025 to $0.004), Deezer UCPS mechanics, Tidal and Qobuz as fairness leaders, and earnings thresholds per platform ($76,000 streams on Tidal versus $250,000+ on Spotify for $1,000).