If you are an Apple user, you must often find yourself in quandary regarding which of the two services to choose – iTunes match or Apple music. Both of them are Apple music services and yet they are different. So, if you are looking to sort out between the two and find what suit you better, we are here to help you out.
Part 1. What Are Apple Music & iTunes Match?
Here’s a straightforward look at iTunes Match and Apple Music, breaking down their key features and what makes them stand out.
Brief Introduction of Apple Music & iTunes Match
iTunes Match
Launched in 2011 and now available in over 100 countries, iTunes Match costs $24.99 a year. It’s perfect if you want all your music easily accessible across your Apple devices. Here’s how it works:
- Purchases: Any songs you buy from iTunes are instantly available to stream on any device linked to your Apple ID. These purchases don’t count toward the 100,000-song limit, and you don’t need to upload them.
- Uploads: If you’ve got music from CDs or other sources, you’ll need to upload these tracks to iCloud. Once they’re in the cloud, you can stream or download them on all your Apple devices.
- Matches: iTunes Match will automatically match your songs with those in the iTunes catalog. If a match is found, you get the high-quality version of the song from iTunes. If there’s no match, iTunes Match will upload the song for you.
With iTunes Match, you can sync up to 100,000 songs and access them on up to 10 devices. It’s a great way to keep all your music in one place and available wherever you go.
Apple Music
Apple Music offers a different vibe for $10.99 a month or $15.99 for a family plan. It’s all about streaming and discovering music:
- Unlimited Streaming: You get access to millions of songs and albums, so you can stream anything you want from the catalog. Whether you’re looking for new hits or old favorites, it’s all there.
- Personalized Playlists: Apple Music delivers two custom playlists each week: the New Music Mix and the Favorites Mix. These are tailored to your taste and listening habits, making it easy to find new music and enjoy your favorites.
- Beats 1 Radio: You also get to listen to Beats 1, Apple’s global radio station with live DJ sets, exclusive content, and a mix of music genres.
In summary, Apple Music is perfect for streaming and discovering new tracks, while iTunes Match is excellent for managing and syncing your existing music library across devices. Both services offer valuable features that enhance your overall music experience.
Part 2. How to Choose Between Apple Music & iTunes Match
Choosing between Apple Music and iTunes Match can be a bit tricky, so here’s a clear comparison to help you decide which one suits you best.
Function
Both Apple Music and iTunes Match let you stream music and listen easily. They offer a wide variety of songs and albums, so you’re never short of options. Whether you’re looking to discover new hits or enjoy your favorite tracks, both services provide a solid music experience.
Device Support
You can stream content from both services on multiple devices. Apple Music works seamlessly across iPhones, iPads, Macs, and PCs. iTunes Match also supports various devices, allowing you to access your music collection from up to 10 devices. Both are great for keeping your music accessible no matter where you are.
Storage Limit
Each service has a storage limit of 100,000 tracks. This means you can upload and sync a large music library without worrying about running out of space.
Matching and Uploading
Both services operate on a similar principle of matching, uploading, and downloading songs through the iCloud music library. They help you manage your music collection and make it available across your devices.
Part 3. Comparison Between Apple Music & iTunes Match
Cost
iTunes Match costs $24.99 per year. It’s a one-time annual fee, which can be more budget-friendly for those who don’t want to commit to monthly payments. In contrast, Apple Music charges $9.99 per month for an individual plan and $14.99 per month for a family plan. This can add up over time, but it offers more features.
Extra Features
Apple Music comes with additional perks like access to Beats 1, Apple’s internet radio station. This feature provides live DJ sets and exclusive content, adding a bit of extra fun to your music experience. iTunes Match doesn’t offer this; it’s focused purely on managing your music library.
Playlists
With Apple Music, you receive two personalized playlists each week: the New Music Mix and the Favorites Mix. These playlists are tailored to your listening habits and keep your music experience fresh. iTunes Match doesn’t provide curated playlists; it’s all about your existing collection.
Post-Subscription Rules
If you cancel Apple Music, you lose access to any songs you’ve downloaded through the service. You’ll no longer be able to stream or download songs. With iTunes Match, if your subscription ends, you keep any songs you’ve downloaded. You won’t be able to stream new music, but your downloaded tracks remain accessible.
Digital Rights Management (DRM)
Apple Music songs are DRM-protected, meaning they can only play on authorized devices and are limited to a specific format (256kbps M4P). iTunes Match offers DRM-free AAC files, which are compatible with a wider range of devices and players, giving you more flexibility.
| Feature | Apple Music | iTunes Match |
|---|---|---|
| What It Does | Streams millions of songs; offers playlists and radio | Syncs your own music library across devices |
| Device Compatibility | Works on iPhones, iPads, Macs, PCs, and more | Syncs with up to 10 devices |
| Music Storage Limit | Unlimited streaming access | Syncs up to 100,000 songs |
| Cost | $9.99/month (individual), $14.99/month (family) | $24.99/year |
| Extra Perks | Includes Beats 1 radio; personalized playlists | No extra features like radio or playlists |
| Access After Cancelling | No access to downloaded songs if you cancel | Keep downloaded songs, but lose streaming access |
| Music File Type | DRM-protected (M4P), only on authorized devices | DRM-free (AAC), works with more devices |
Part 4. How to Make the Most of Your Apple Subscriptions
If you already subscribed Apple Music, you can still get DRM-free songs without subscribing iTunes Match. In this case, you'll need a third-party Apple Music DRM removal solution like ViWizard Apple Music Converter, which will remove DRM lock from Apple Music and convert M4P songs to MP3 with original ID3 tags preserved.
Key Features of ViWizard Audio Converter
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- Convert songs, albums, and playlists from Apple Music to MP3
- Remove DRM protection from Apple Music, iTunes, and Audible
- Save the converted audios with the original quality and ID3 tags
- Support the conversion of up to 100 audio formats to others
Conclusion:
Ultimately, one can see that if you choose Apple music, you will mostly be able to avail almost all of iTunes Match feature but it isn't vice versa. iTunes Match is ideally the best choice if your concern is on accessing your music collection across 10 different devices. But that's about it.
Apple music however adds a lot more to the mix and gives you access to a lot of new songs, playlists and what not.
So, if you are a music buff and you like to stay hooked to new and old songs all the time and splurging a little is not a problem, Apple Music is definitely the better and smarter choice than iTunes Match.
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An experienced writer of ViWizard who is obsessed about technology, music, movie, and software.
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