Apple now offers two main ways to access its music service: Apple Music and iTunes. Each one is popular, but they work quite differently, so a battle begins.
Before 2015, iTunes was the main way to get music from Apple. But when Apple Music came out, iTunes started to lose ground. As many know, Apple eventually removed iTunes from macOS, and there are even rumors that Apple might do the same on Windows. Many new users today are unsure about the differences between Apple Music and iTunes, and some even think Apple Music has completely replaced iTunes.
So today, we'll take a look at what makes Apple Music and iTunes difference. Plus, we'll explore why Apple Music has become the focus of Apple's music services while iTunes has taken a back seat.
Head to head comparison between iTunes Match and Apple Music, including differences and similarities to help you sort out which service suits you better.
Part 1. What Are iTunes and Apple Music?
What Is iTunes?
iTunes is a media player, library management tool, and store all in one. It has been around since 2001 as a way to buy and own music online. At a time when CDs were the main option, iTunes made it easy to purchase digital songs and albums. Over time, it expanded to include movies, audiobooks, and podcasts, becoming a hub for managing all your digital media.
In 2019, Apple phased out iTunes on Mac with macOS Catalina, splitting it into separate apps: Music (Apple Music), Books, and Podcasts. iTunes is still available on Windows 10 or earlier, allowing users to discover top music and radio stations from the iTunes charts and purchase tracks from the iTunes Store if needed. Windows 11 users now rely on dedicated Apple Music and Apple TV apps. Movies and shows are handled through Apple TV, which also offers Apple TV+, while audiobooks and podcasts have moved to Apple Books and the Podcasts app. Purchased songs and albums are permanent and available offline anytime without a subscription.
What Is Apple Music?
Apple Music is a streaming service with millions of songs available on demand. Launched in 2015, it shifted the focus from owning music to streaming it. Instead of buying songs individually, you subscribe to access over 100 million songs, curated playlists, radio stations, and personalized recommendations. It works across almost all Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watch, HomePod, as well as Android and Windows.
You can download songs for offline listening, but access requires an active subscription. Apple Music emphasizes discovery, personalization, and convenience, making it ideal for users who want a vast library without purchasing individual tracks.
Part 2. Key Differences Between Apple Music and iTunes
Apple Music vs. iTunes: Access vs. Ownership
iTunes and Apple Music handle ownership very differently. With iTunes, anything you purchase - songs or albums - is yours forever. You can download, burn, back up, or share the files, and they stay accessible across all your devices.
Apple Music is subscription-based. You get access to 100+ million songs, curated playlists, and personalized recommendations, but if your subscription ends, your entire library - including downloads and playlists - becomes inaccessible. Many users report collections disappearing as soon as their membership lapses.
Pricing reflects this gap: iTunes sells tracks for $0.99–$1.29 and albums for $9.99–$14.99, while Apple Music costs $10.99/month for individuals or $15.99/month for families, with student and Apple One bundle options.
Stream with Apple Music, but buy the albums or tracks you want to keep permanently.
Apple Music vs. iTunes: Offline Listening vs. Permanent Downloads
Both platforms support offline listening, but the rules differ. iTunes downloads are permanent and saved as .m4a files at 256Kbps in your iTunes Media folder.
Apple Music also lets you download songs offline, but access is tied to your subscription. Cancel the service and your downloads disappear - which can be frustrating if you pause your membership. Certain troubleshooting steps (like reinstalling the app) may also remove offline files. Apple Music downloads are stored as DRM-protected .m4p files in the same folder.
Use Apple Music for convenience, but convert essential tracks with a tool like ViWizard Apple Music Converter if you want a permanent backup.
A full-featured Apple Music converter that easily converts Apple Music songs, albums, playlists - including iCloud Music Library content, personalized recommendations, and curated playlists - into MP3, M4A, M4B, WAV, AIFF, and FLAC so you can keep your Apple Music forever or transfer it to any device without restrictions.
Apple Music vs. iTunes: Library Sync vs. Library Management
iTunes gives you full control over your music library. You can organize files, create playlist folders, and edit metadata (right-click a track > Song Info > Details) to manage fields like composer or genre - ideal for keeping a large local collection tidy.
Apple Music is built around streaming convenience. The Library tab lets you browse by artists, albums, or playlists, and Sync Library keeps everything up to date across iOS, Android, and Windows. However, syncing can sometimes replace local files, duplicate albums, or mismatch versions, which can frustrate users with big local libraries.
Subscribe for streaming convenience, but disable Sync Library if you want full control.
Apple Music vs. iTunes: Discovery vs. Collection
iTunes fits people who want a personal music collection, with a classic layout that organizes everything into Recently Added, Artists, Albums, Songs, Genres, Music Videos, and Downloaded. Purchased songs are typically M4A, though older pre-2009 purchases may still be DRM-protected M4P. iTunes also lets you convert files into AIFF, Apple Lossless (ALAC), MP3, or WAV using its import settings.
Apple Music, meanwhile, focuses on discovery. Personalized recommendations live in Listen Now, Browse, and For You. Playlist creation is simple, but all tracks remain DRM-protected and only playable while subscribed. For users who prioritize discovering new music, Apple Music excels - just note it doesn't replace true ownership.
Use Apple Music to explore and stream, but buy or convert important tracks to formats like ALAC, FLAC, or WAV for long-term, subscription-free access.
DRM is meant to protect iTunes music and prevent unauthorized sharing. In reality, there're 6 proven ways to safely remove DRM from Apple Music and iTunes tracks, so you can play your music freely on any device.
Part 3. Should You Use Apple Music, iTunes, or Both?
Deciding whether to use Apple Music, iTunes, or both depends on your priorities: streaming convenience, music ownership, or a mix of the two.
- Use Apple Music for everyday listening: You can stream millions of songs without buying each one.
- Use Apple Music to find new music: You get fresh mixes, suggestions, and playlists made for you.
- Use Apple Music for convenience: Your library stays synced across all your devices automatically.
- Use iTunes if you want to own your music: You can buy songs and albums and keep them forever.
- Use iTunes if you want full control: You can organize files, edit details, and manage your library your way.
- Use both for the best mix: You stream with Apple Music, but buy or back up the songs that really matter to you.
- Use both for long-term access: You stream now while keeping important tracks permanently through iTunes.
Part 4. How to Transfer Between Apple Music and iTunes
Switching between iTunes and Apple Music can be straightforward if you know how. If your iTunes library is synced with iCloud, signing into Apple Music with the same Apple ID automatically syncs your music. Moving from Apple Music to iTunes is trickier because Apple Music tracks are DRM-protected - you can add purchased iTunes songs, but subscription tracks can't transfer directly.
Tools like ViWizard Apple Music Converter make this easier by converting Apple Music songs into common formats like MP3 or M4A. This ensures your music collection remains accessible regardless of the platform.
More Guides to Get Started:
Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter
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- Convert Apple Music songs, albums, playlists, and artists into MP3 for easy access
- Preserve lossless audio, high-resolution lossless, and Dolby Atmos quality
- Strip DRM from Apple Music for unrestricted offline listening
- Save converted audio files while retaining full ID3 tag details
Step 1Set Up ViWizard on Your Computer
Download and install ViWizard Apple Music Converter on Windows or Mac. Launch it and sign in with your Apple ID. This connects your full Apple Music library, so you can select playlists, albums, or tracks to keep outside the subscription system.
Step 2Pick an Output Format That Works Everywhere
Open the settings panel and choose MP3 for converted files. MP3 works with iTunes and most other media players. You can also adjust bitrate, sample rate, or other quality settings as needed.
Step 3Add the Music You Want to Convert
Browse your Apple Music library inside ViWizard and select the songs, playlists, or albums you want to archive. Add them to the conversion list, then start the process to create standard, DRM-free audio files.
Step 4Use or Transfer Your New Files Anywhere
Once conversion is complete, check the output folder. Your music will be saved as DRM-free MP3s with full metadata and artwork. You can import them into iTunes, store them alongside purchased tracks, or keep them as a permanent backup - even if your Apple Music subscription ends.
Part 5. FAQs about iTunes and Apple Music
Is iTunes the same thing as Apple Music?
No. iTunes is a media manager and store, while Apple Music is a subscription streaming service. You can use both, but they serve different purposes.
Do I lose my iTunes purchases if I subscribe to Apple Music?
No. Anything you bought from the iTunes Store stays yours forever. Apple Music doesn't replace or remove purchased files.
Why do some people say Apple Music "messes up" their iTunes library?
Sync Library can sometimes replace artwork or metadata, especially if you have a large library of ripped/edited files. Backing up your iTunes library before turning it on helps avoid issues.
Can I still buy music from the iTunes Store if I use Apple Music?
Yes. The iTunes Store still exists, and you can buy songs even if you're an Apple Music subscriber.
Is Apple Music audio quality better than using iTunes?
Often yes. Apple Music streams in higher-quality ALAC, which some Windows and Mac users say sounds richer than older iTunes playback.
What happens to the songs I added from Apple Music if I cancel?
They disappear. Apple Music tracks are DRM-protected, so you lose access once your subscription or trial ends.
Is iTunes Match still worth it if I don't want Apple Music?
Yes. Many users subscribe to iTunes Match specifically to upload and match their personal music without paying for the full Apple Music catalog.
Why are there duplicates after turning on Sync Library?
Duplicates usually come from mismatched metadata or uploads. Users often fix it by cleaning tags before enabling Sync Library or by rebuilding the library.
Does iTunes still work on Windows?
Yes. iTunes is still fully supported on Windows, even though it's been replaced by separate apps on modern macOS.
Will my old iTunes library transfer to the new Music app on Mac?
Yes. When you update macOS, your entire library - purchases, local files, playlists - moves automatically into the Music app.
The Final Thought:
I truly believe that the mobile data technology will boost the development of streaming services in a deeper way. However there's a part of me inside can not be convinced that we should "streaming" everything. As I can forsee that once we become too depend on the streaming services, we will be panic and freak out when the electricity or network is cut off. Or even worse, the service are closed down. It's impossible to access to our content under all these circumstances.
On the other hand, streaming services also create a false image that they are helping you save your money. If subscribe to Apple Music, Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services at the same time, then you will have to pay more than you actually consume. That's why People use ViWizard Apple Music Converter. It can help you convert Apple Music to common formats, and then you can stream the music to any devices without network or paying too much.
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Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
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