Qobuz records rapid growth as streaming users explore alternatives

According to data from SimilarWeb, the France-based high-resolution audio platform was the second fastest-growing music and media app in the United States in 2025, and ranked third in the United Kingdom over the same period. The company has also confirmed that it has surpassed 1.2 million monthly active users, alongside a significant increase in paid subscriptions.

The growth comes as major streaming platforms continue to face scrutiny over pricing changes and service models. Industry observers suggest that some users are moving away from dominant services such as Spotify, with Qobuz identifying a pattern of account cancellations following Spotify’s annual “Wrapped” summaries.

Qobuz managing director for North America and Northern Europe Dan Mackta said the platform has noticed a rise in users switching services after reflecting on their listening habits. He noted that a noticeable portion of new users appear to be former Spotify subscribers.

However, the company says the growth extends beyond so-called “Spotify refugees”, with broader interest coming from diverse listener groups, including high-profile public figures and dedicated fan communities.

Qobuz has also benefited from increased attention to its high-resolution and lossless audio catalogue, which has attracted listeners seeking higher-quality downloads as well as streaming options. The platform has additionally seen engagement from K-pop fan communities, particularly around downloadable and collectible music formats.

A key part of Qobuz’s positioning is its emphasis on artist remuneration transparency. The company has published its per-stream payout data, stating that rights holders receive close to $19 per 1,000 streams, a figure it says is significantly higher than competitors. While comparisons with other services vary depending on measurement methods, Qobuz maintains that its model is designed to offer stronger returns to rights holders.

Mackta has also highlighted the platform’s approach to music discovery, which relies on human curation rather than algorithm-driven recommendations. He said users have responded positively to editorial selection, describing it as a return to more traditional forms of music discovery. “It’s almost so quaint; ‘Wow, humans picking music’. Well, it turns out a lot of people love that,” he said.

The company has also taken a cautious stance on artificial intelligence in music curation and production. It says it identifies AI-generated tracks, excludes them from editorial playlists, and does not use user data to train external AI systems. Qobuz has also committed not to produce AI-generated audio content or replace its editorial teams with automated systems.

Alongside its streaming growth, Qobuz is expanding its partnerships, including a recent retail integration with UK independent record store chain Rough Trade, aimed at linking digital listening with physical music retail experiences.

Industry analysts note that switching between streaming services has become easier due to playlist transfer tools such as Soundiiz, potentially increasing user mobility across platforms. This could contribute to shifts in market share within the sector, which has remained relatively stable in recent years.

While Qobuz remains a niche player compared with larger competitors, it has outlined ambitions to capture a small but sustainable share of the global paid streaming market. The company says continued growth will depend on maintaining its appeal to listeners seeking higher audio quality, editorial curation and alternative approaches to mainstream streaming models.