iTunes Match Vs Apple Music: Subscription, Music Library & More
Are you torn between two of Apple’s popular music apps, iTunes Match vs Apple Music? Let’s take a look at what each service offers so you can make the right choice.
iTunes Match is a music service that allows you to store your entire music library, even if it includes songs that you haven’t purchased from the iTunes Store. On the other hand, Apple Music is a subscription-based music streaming service that gives you access to millions of songs, playlists, and radio stations. You can also download songs and listen to them offline.
Choosing the right music service is important, especially if you’re a music lover. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to decide which service suits you best. In this article, I’ll compare iTunes Match vs Apple Music, and help you decide which one is right for you. I’ll take a closer look at their features, pros, and cons, so you can make an informed decision.
In This Article
Overview: iTunes Match vs Apple Music
Let’s know about both of the services and their features: iTunes Match and Apple Music. While both services allow you to access a vast library of music, they differ in their approach to delivering content, personalization, pricing, and other factors. Here is the introduction of iTunes Match vs Apple Music.
iTunes Match
iTunes Match is an Apple music service that aims to enhance your music experience by allowing you to store your entire music library on iCloud and access it on all of your Apple devices. With iTunes Match, you can enjoy high-quality, DRM-free versions of your music, even if they weren’t purchased from the iTunes Store.
iTunes Match works by scanning your music library and matching the songs with their counterparts in the iTunes Store. This way, you can have access to higher-quality versions of your songs without taking up extra storage space on your devices.
Key Features and Benefits
iTunes Match offers several key features and benefits that set it apart from other music services. These include:
✓Ad-free music experience: Unlike other music services that may interrupt your listening experience with ads, iTunes Match offers an ad-free music experience.
✓ High-quality audio: iTunes Match offers high-quality, DRM-free versions of your songs, which means you can enjoy them in the best possible audio quality.
✓ Access to your entire music library: With iTunes Match, you can store your entire music library on iCloud and access it on all of your Apple devices. This means you don’t have to worry about storage space on your device.
Comparison with Other Music Services
Compared to other music services, iTunes Match offers a unique music storage and streaming experience. Unlike other services that may have a limited music library or restricted access, iTunes Match allows you to store and access your entire music library. It also offers a high-quality music experience without any ads. However, if you’re looking for a music service that offers a wide variety of curated playlists and personalized recommendations, you may want to consider other services like Apple Music.
Apple Music
Apple Music is a subscription-based music streaming service that gives you access to millions of songs, playlists, and radio stations. You can stream music on demand and download songs for offline listening. Apple Music also offers personalized recommendations based on your music preferences, which means you can discover new artists and songs that you may not have otherwise found.
Key Features and Benefits
Apple Music offers several key features and benefits that make it a popular choice among music lovers. These include:
✓ Curated playlists: Apple Music offers a wide variety of curated playlists, including personalized playlists based on your music preferences.
✓ Access to exclusive content: Apple Music offers exclusive content like live concerts, interviews with artists, and music documentaries.
✓ Personalized recommendations: Apple Music offers personalized hints and suggestions based on your listening history, which means you can discover new artists and songs that match your music taste.
Comparison with Other Music Services
Compared to other music services, Apple Music offers a unique music streaming and discovery experience. It offers a wide variety of curated playlists and exclusive content that you won’t find on other services. However, if you’re looking for a service that offers a high-quality music storage and streaming experience, you may want to consider iTunes Match.
Comparison: iTunes Match vs Apple Music
Now we know the features and the definitions of iTunes Match vs Apple Music. Let’s compare the top music services — iTunes Match vs Apple Music. In this section, we’ll compare the music library, audio quality, personalization, and pricing and subscription options of Apple Music vs iTunes Match.
01 — Music Library and Availability of iTunes Match vs Apple Music
iTunes Match offers a unique music storage experience by allowing you to store your entire music library on iCloud and access it on all your Apple devices. This means that you can easily access your personal collection of songs, even if they were not purchased from the iTunes Store. However, iTunes Match does not offer a music streaming service, which means you can only listen to music that you’ve added to your library.
On the other hand, Apple Music offers a vast music library with over 100 million songs that you can stream on demand. This means you can listen to any song from the Apple Music library without having to purchase it. Apple Music also offers a radio service called Beats 1, which features live radio shows hosted by popular artists and DJs.
Winner: Apple Music for its vast music library and on-demand music streaming service.
02 — Audio Quality and Compatibility of iTunes Match vs Apple Music
iTunes Match vs Apple Music offers high-quality, DRM-free versions of your songs, which means you can enjoy them in the best possible audio quality. However, iTunes Match is limited to a maximum audio quality of 256 kbps AAC. This may not be sufficient for audiophiles who prefer lossless audio quality.
Apple Music vs iTunes Match offers a maximum audio quality of 256 kbps AAC for streaming and 24-bit/192 kHz lossless audio for select songs in the Apple Music library. However, the lossless audio feature is only available for Apple Music subscribers who have a compatible device and a wired connection to their headphones or speakers.
Winner: Apple Music for offering lossless audio quality for select songs in their library.
03 — Personalization and Recommendation Features of iTunes Match vs Apple Music
iTunes Match does not offer any personalized recommendation features. However, it does offer a “Genius” feature that creates playlists based on your music library.
Apple Music offers several personalized recommendation features, including “For You” playlists, which are curated based on your listening history, and “New Music Mix,” which is a weekly playlist of new songs based on your music preferences. Apple Music also offers a feature called “Spatial Audio,” which provides a surround sound experience for select songs in their library.
Winner: Apple Music for its wide range of personalized recommendation features.
04 — Pricing and Subscription Options in Apple Music vs iTunes Match
iTunes Match is priced at $24.99 per year and offers a music storage service with high-quality audio playback. However, it does not offer any music streaming service.
Apple Music offers three subscription options – Individual, Family, and Student – with prices ranging from $4.99 to $14.99 per month. Apple Music also offers a free trial for new subscribers. The Individual plan offers access to the entire Apple Music library, while the Family and Student plans offer access to up to six people and come with additional features like personalized playlists and shared music libraries.
Winner: Apple Music for its affordable subscription options and additional features.
My View
iTunes Match and Apple Music offer unique music storage and streaming experiences, but they cater to different needs. If you’re looking for a music storage service that allows you to access your entire music library, iTunes Match is the perfect choice for you. However, if you’re looking for a music streaming service with a vast library and personalized recommendation features, Apple Music is the way to go. Ultimately, the choice between the two services depends on your music needs and preferences.
Pros and Cons of iTunes Match vs Apple Music
When it comes to choosing the perfect music service for you, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option. Here, we’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages of both iTunes Match and Apple Music to help you make an informed decision.
Advantages of iTunes Match
- Allows you to store your entire music library on iCloud
- Access your personal collection of songs on all your Apple devices
- High-quality, DRM-free versions of your songs
- No need to pay for streaming, as you already own the songs
Disadvantages of iTunes Match
- No music streaming service; you can only listen to music that you’ve added to your library
- Limited to a maximum audio quality of 256 kbps AAC
- No personalized recommendation features
Advantages of Apple Music
- Vast music library with over 70 million songs
- On-demand music streaming service
- Personalized recommendation features like “For You” playlists and “New Music Mix”
- Affordable subscription options
Disadvantages of Apple Music
- The lossless audio feature is only available for select songs in the Apple Music library
- The maximum audio quality of 256 kbps AAC for streaming.
Wrapping Up
That is all about iTunes Match vs Apple Music. I hope this article has helped you gain a better understanding of the two services and make an informed decision on which one is right for you. Remember, both iTunes Match and Apple Music offer unique features and benefits that cater to different music enthusiasts. So, take your time to explore and discover what works best for your music needs. And, if you want more informative articles and helpful tips, visit Path of EX.
