iTunes and Apple Music are related but distinct services from Apple. iTunes is a media player application that lets you manage and play music and other media on your computer. Apple Music is a subscription-based streaming music service that gives you access to over 90 million songs on your Apple devices.
Some key differences between the two services:
- iTunes is an application you download to your computer to manage and sync content. Apple Music is a cloud-based service you access across devices.
- iTunes lets you play music files stored locally on your computer. Apple Music streams music over the internet.
- iTunes purchases and downloads files to own permanently. Apple Music offers access to stream songs during your subscription.
So in summary, iTunes is primarily focused on purchasing, downloading, and syncing music and other media to your devices from your computer. Apple Music is a streaming music service for accessing a vast catalog of songs across your Apple devices without needing to own music files locally.
What is iTunes?
iTunes is a free media player application developed by Apple for Windows and macOS. It was first released in 2001 to manage music on the iPod but has expanded over the years to support various multimedia formats.
The main functions of iTunes include:
- Playing and managing digital music and video files stored on your computer
- Organizing and syncing music, podcasts, audiobooks, movies, and TV shows across Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, and iPod
- Purchasing, downloading, and managing iOS apps
- Downloading and listening to Apple Music and other streaming media
- Backing up and restoring iOS device data
- Ripping CDs to create digital audio files
So in summary, iTunes serves as a central hub for purchasing digital content from Apple and syncing it across your different devices. The application lets you build and manage your personal media library.
iTunes Store
The iTunes Store is a section within iTunes where you can purchase digital content. It offers:
- Music – Singles, albums, music videos
- Movies & TV – Purchased TV episodes, films, rentals
- iOS apps – For iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
- Audiobooks – Audio versions of popular books
- Podcasts – Free or paid video and audio podcasts
- eBooks – Purchased books for iBooks app
For music purchases, the iTunes Store offers individual song purchases as well as full albums. Songs downloaded from the iTunes Store do not have DRM restrictions and can be played on any device.
iTunes Library
All the media content you purchase or import into iTunes is organized in your iTunes Library. This includes:
- Downloaded or ripped music files and albums
- Movies and TV shows purchased or added from disc
- Podcasts, audiobooks, and radio
- iOS apps
You can browse your iTunes Library by various criteria like playlist, artist, album, song, genre, or media type. You can also search for specific titles. This library serves as your personal media collection.
What is Apple Music?
Apple Music is a music streaming subscription service developed by Apple. It was launched in 2015 as a competitor to other services like Spotify.
The main components of Apple Music include:
- Streaming Music Library – Access to over 90 million songs for streaming on demand. Updated and expanded regularly.
- Beats 1 Radio – Global 24/7 internet radio station focused on pop culture and music.
- Apple Music Radio – Hundreds of genre-focused streaming radio stations.
- Music Videos – Watch curated and exclusive music videos.
- Offline Downloads – Save music for offline listening when internet is unavailable.
- Personalized Recommendations – Receive suggested music based on your tastes.
Apple Music is integrated into the Music app across Apple platforms like iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS. You can stream music online or download for offline listening.
Apple Music Subscription Plans
Apple Music is available through the following subscription plans:
- Individual Plan – $9.99/month for unlimited music access for one user.
- Family Plan – $14.99/month for up to 6 users with individual accounts under one plan.
- Student Plan – Discounted rate of $4.99/month for eligible college students.
There is also a free 3 month trial so you can test Apple Music before paying.
Apple Music vs iTunes Match
iTunes Match is an additional paid service from Apple that complements Apple Music. The key differences are:
- iTunes Match – Matches and uploads your personal music library for cloud access. Cost is $24.99/year.
- Apple Music – Streaming service for accessing full Apple Music catalog. Subscription cost is $9.99/month.
So iTunes Match handles your personal music collection while Apple Music is for accessing everything in the Apple Music library.
Key Differences Between iTunes and Apple Music
While iTunes and Apple Music are related Apple services, there are some notable differences:
| iTunes | Apple Music |
|---|---|
| Application for desktop (macOS, Windows) | Cloud-based music service |
| Purchase and download music files | Stream music over the internet |
| Own music forever after purchase | Access music during subscription |
| Manages files stored locally | Access music stored in the cloud |
| Limited library capacity by storage | Extensive catalog of over 90 million songs |
In summary:
- iTunes is focused on purchasing and managing music you own locally.
- Apple Music provides streaming access to a vast library of songs.
iTunes can be used to purchase songs and add them to your Apple Music collection for ownership. So the two services are complementary in some ways, but have different core functions.
Using iTunes and Apple Music Together
iTunes and Apple Music can be used together across your Apple devices to give you the benefits of both music ownership and streaming:
- Purchase albums/songs in iTunes you want to own forever. Download for offline playback.
- Use Apple Music subscription for unlimited access to stream its vast catalog.
- Songs purchased in iTunes will automatically be added to your Apple Music library.
- Create playlists that mix purchased songs, imported music, and Apple Music tracks.
- Download Apple Music songs locally to your device for offline listening.
- Use iTunes to sync music to iOS devices or backup device data.
So iTunes handles purchased music you own while Apple Music enables streaming from its catalog. You can access both music libraries seamlessly across devices.
Typical User Scenarios
Here are some examples of how typical users may utilize both iTunes and Apple Music:
Casual Listener
- Subscribes to Apple Music for unlimited access to stream music.
- Creates playlists from the Apple Music library.
- Doesn’t purchase much music à relies mainly on streaming.
Music Aficionado
- Purchases select albums in iTunes they want to own.
- Uses Apple Music to discover and stream new music.
- Creates playlists mixing purchased songs and Apple Music.
Collectors
- Rips extensive CD collection to build iTunes Library.
- Uploads personal music to iCloud Music Library.
- Subscribes to Apple Music to expand catalog.
- Downloads Apple Music tracks for offline listening.
So iTunes and Apple Music can provide complementary benefits for different types of users.
The Future of iTunes and Apple Music
While iTunes transformed how we purchase and listen to digital music, streaming is now dominant. Apple Music has grown rapidly with over 100 million subscribers as of 2022.
Going forward, it’s likely that Apple Music will continue to expand as streaming becomes more popular. But iTunes still retains value:
- iTunes music purchases are DRM-free files that customers own forever, unlike streamed tracks.
- The iTunes Store is still the primary way to purchase iOS apps.
- iTunes facilitates syncing data and backups to iOS devices.
As Apple Music grows, iTunes may transition to focus more on specific use cases like media purchases, iOS app support, and device syncing rather than general music playback.
Some future possibilities:
- Apple Music replacing iTunes as the default music player on Mac/Windows.
- More exclusive content added to Apple Music to attract subscribers.
- Expanded offline download capabilities for Apple Music.
- Bundling Apple Music subscription with iOS devices.
- iTunes remaining primarily for purchasing media, apps, and device support.
While streaming may reduce demand for media purchases over time, iTunes retains an important role in the Apple ecosystem.
Conclusion
In summary:
- iTunes is a media player for purchasing, downloading, and organizing music and other media.
- Apple Music is a streaming music subscription service.
- iTunes manages music you own while Apple Music provides access to a vast catalog.
- The two services can be used together for ownership and streaming.
- Apple Music is likely to eclipse iTunes for general music playback in the future.
- But iTunes will retain core functionality for media purchases, iOS apps, and device support.
So iTunes and Apple Music serve complementary purposes. iTunes handles owned media while Apple Music enables unlimited music streaming. Using both provides the benefits of ownership and access for Apple users.