We explain the difference between iTunes and Apple Music with table. Entertainment has been a formative pillar of our cultures and civilizations for centuries. The forms and genres may have changed, but their function remains the same.
This experience underwent something of a revolution, in the early 1990s, when music streaming platforms were introduced, although it took them years to reach every home. After the advent of mobile phones, many industries in the communications sector invested in them. Apple was one of them.
Among the hundred different functions of an Apple device, iTunes and Apple Music are two of the most famous. Morphologically, they both seem to be involved in the music industry, covering extremely different aspects of it.
What is iTunes?
Developed by Apple Inc. in 2001, iTunes is a warehouse for all kinds of media, including movies, music, TV shows, and more. You can buy / download it to get more experience. It is an equivalent of Double twist or Play Store on Android devices. It is the preferred destination for Apple users to access different types of media.
When purchasing a media item from iTunes, the space setting is an extremely critical factor. For example, if you are downloading movies on a 16GB device, you cannot download more than 3. The device must accommodate the needs of the application, which may not work well for all users.
iTunes is a program that manages multimedia content on your devices. Although developed by Apple Inc. iTunes is not an exclusive Apple application. Even Android or Windows users can access the app.
There are certain features that make iTunes a more suitable application than the rest, such as;
- iTunes and iOS – Although many Apple Inc. applications are available to iOS users, iTunes is the one that manages the applications and handles the operating systems properly.
- Unlimited Content Home – iTunes comes in handy, not only for personal use but also for professional use. There are numerous podcasts, audiobooks, and informational media available to almost everyone.
Certain iTunes features or lack thereof can be a concern for users, such as;
- Speed and performance – iTunes is not one of your fast-paced apps, especially when used on non-Apple devices. ITunes performance on Android, iOS, and Windows devices is excruciatingly low at times. Added to this, it could also affect the speed of the other applications.
- iTunes and Business Purposes – iTunes is primarily supposed to manage content on our device. When used for commercial purposes, it would host a large amount of unwanted data or material, affecting overall performance.
What is Apple Music?
“You love music, all in one place.” says Apple CEO Tim Cook about Apple Music. This feature is considered Apple Inc.’s answer to Spotify and Google Music. Although new to the market, Apple Music, which is essentially a streaming platform, has already surpassed its competitors.
With more than 50 million songs from various genres added to those three 24-hour radio stations, Apple Music has successfully attracted the attention of people in more than 167 countries.
Unlike iTunes, Apple Music is not an application that manages the content of the device, but is solely responsible for meeting the “musical needs” of users.
Although most of the features on music streaming platforms remain the same, Apple Music offers videos alongside the songs, which is not the case for many others. With specially curated and personalized playlists, along with impressive integration with Apple devices ‘Siri’ feature, Apple Music enhances music streaming experiences on multiple occasions.
There are certain advantages of using Apple Music, namely;
- Availability – Apple Music offers a ‘3-month free trial’ at first. It offers both individual and family plans, with a considerable price difference.
- Diverse Music Experience – With over 50 million songs, Apple Music has one of the most diverse music collections among streaming options.
- ‘Connect’ – With a special feature called ‘Connect’, Apple Music allows users to take a look at the life and preparation of their favorite celebrity.
Considering all the factors, Apple Music is surely not the perfect streaming option, for the following reasons:
- No Free Levels – You can’t use Apple Music for free. Once the free trial is done, one must become a paid subscriber.
- Once the user ends the subscription , they will no longer have free access to the downloaded songs.
Difference between iTunes and Apple Music with table
The difference between iTunes and Apple Music is that iTunes is a common manager for all media content on the device. It is a place where you can buy / download movies, music and TV shows. Apple Music is simply a music streaming platform.
Comparison table between iTunes and Apple Music
| Comparison parameters | iTunes | Apple Music |
| Developed in | iTunes was created in 2001 | Apple music was launched in 2015. |
| Use | Manage multimedia content on the device. | You are solely responsible for the musical aspect of the device. |
| Subscription | iTunes is free to use unless you download something. | After the free trial, one has to become a paid subscriber to continue Apple Music. |
| Transmission | Can’t stream music on iTunes. It works more like a store, from where you buy content. | Apple Music is primarily a music streaming platform. |
| Allowed devices | With a single Apple ID, you can have iTunes on 10 different devices. | With a unique Apple ID, you can have Apple Music on 6 different devices. |
Main differences between iTunes and Apple Music
- iTunes is used to purchase items and is equivalent to the Google play store. Apple Music is a music streaming platform.
- iTunes is primarily concerned with device content management. Apple Music, as the name suggests, has more to do with the musical aspect.
- iTunes can be called a multimedia application. Apple Music does not select or offer all types of media.
- iTunes does not require a subscription unless you are purchasing items from the app. Apple Music is based on a non-free tier formula and is a subscription-based streaming platform.
- Content downloaded from iTunes remains on your device. Music / podcasts downloaded from Apple Music will be available offline as long as the subscription continues.
Final Thought
iTunes and Apple Music, both revolutionized the space in which they have operated. Although with many differences and varied fundamental uses, these two characteristics remain two of Apple’s most successful companies. INC. Apple has clearly stated that “Apple Music and iTunes Match are independent but complementary.”
Considering the rapid development of streaming platforms, there is still a lot of competition between all of them. Especially in the case of Apple Music, which is quite optional, it is important to update and renew over time. The price and subscription fees vary by country; the rate also decreases if you are a student. Even with their high-priced services, this is seen as a huge positive.
