Independent music streaming and download platform Qobuz has been named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026, earning recognition in the Entertainment & Gaming category.
TIME’s entry highlights the service’s ad-free listening, human-curated playlists and reported higher royalty payments per stream—a combination that has helped the French company distinguish itself in a crowded streaming market.
Founded in 2007, Qobuz combines high-resolution audio and music downloads with original journalism, recording credits and editorial recommendations. Its pitch borrows from the independent record store: give listeners knowledgeable guidance and reasons to explore beyond the songs they already know.
According to the company’s announcement, recent updates include a redesigned player with synchronized lyrics, expanded access to credits and editorial content, and tags identifying AI-generated music. Qobuz has also continued expanding Qobuz Connect, which allows users to stream directly to compatible audio equipment through its apps.
Its artist partnerships have included exclusive streaming of yasiin bey’s The Ecstatic, global listening events and an exclusive live release with Sylvan Esso, and the restoration and release of 77 performances from Alan Lomax’s American Patchwork recordings.
For independent artists and labels, the recognition brings wider attention to a service building its identity around sound quality, music context and human discovery. Those priorities offer another way to think about streaming’s value: helping listeners develop a deeper relationship with the music.
Read TIME Magazine's full list of The Best Inventions of 2026 here.
