Apple Music vs iTunes Match: An In-Depth Comparison

Apple offers two popular music services that are often compared to each other, Apple Music vs. iTunes Match. While both services are designed to help you manage and listen to your music collection, there are key differences between the two that may make one more suitable for your needs.

In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the features and benefits of Apple Music and iTunes Match, so you can decide which one is right for you. We'll also explore some potential drawbacks of each service and tips and tricks for making the most of your music experience and keeping Apple Music songs for listening offline.

Article Content Part 1. Apple Music vs iTunes Match: What Are The Differences?Part 2. I Have Apple Music Do I Still Need iTunes Match? Part 3. Helpful Tips: Download Apple Music For Free & Keep The Songs ForeverPart 4. Conclusion

Part 1. Apple Music vs iTunes Match: What Are The Differences?

Apple Music and iTunes Match are two of the most popular music services offered by Apple. While both services offer access to a vast music library and allow you to store and play your own music, there are some key differences between the two.

Here are some of the main differences between Apple Music and iTunes Match:

Apple Music vs iTunes Match: Music Library

Apple Music:

Apple Music offers a vast library of over 90 million songs, which includes the entire Apple Music catalog.

Subscribers have unlimited access to the entire Apple Music library, including new releases, trending tracks, and a wide range of curated playlists and radio stations.

iTunes Match:

iTunes Match does not provide access to a streaming library of songs like Apple Music. Instead, it focuses on matching and uploading your existing music library (up to 100,000 songs) to the cloud.

Through iTunes Match, users can access their own music library that has been matched or uploaded to the cloud, making it available for streaming or downloading on multiple devices associated with their Apple ID.

Apple Music vs iTunes Match: Price

Apple Music:

Apple Music is a subscription-based service that offers access to a vast library of songs, playlists, and albums for a monthly fee. The pricing for Apple Music typically includes individual, family, and student plans, with the cost varying depending on the region and plan type.

Individual plans generally range from $9.99 to $14.99 per month, family plans for up to six people are priced at $14.99 to $19.99 per month, and student plans are offered at discounted rates.

iTunes Match:

How much does itunes match cost? iTunes Match is a standalone service that focuses on matching and uploading your existing music library to the cloud for access across multiple devices. iTunes match pricing is a flat annual fee, which is typically around $24.99 per year, regardless of the size of your music library.

Apple Music vs iTunes Match: Audio Quality

Apple Music:

Apple Music streams audio at a bitrate of 256 kbps using the AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) format. The service uses this standard bitrate for both its streaming and downloadable content.

iTunes Match:

The audio quality of iTunes match is lossless. iTunes Match does not alter the quality of your original music files when matching and uploading them to the cloud.

If your original music files are of higher quality, such as 320 kbps or lossless formats, iTunes Match will retain that quality when making them available for streaming or download.

Apple Music vs iTunes Match: Personalization

Apple Music:

Apple Music offers extensive personalization features such as personalized playlists, recommendations based on listening habits, and the ability to like or dislike songs to tailor recommendations to individual preferences.

The service also utilizes algorithms to create personalized mixes and playlists based on the user's music taste, listening history, and liked tracks.

iTunes Match:

iTunes Match does not provide personalization features in the same way that Apple Music does. Its primary function is to match and upload your existing music library to the cloud, focusing on music storage and access rather than personalized recommendations or mixes.

Apple Music va iTunes Match: iCloud Integration

Apple Music is fully integrated with iCloud, allowing you to access your music library on any device, while iTunes Match also integrates with iCloud but is primarily focused on syncing your own music library.

Overall, if you're looking for access to a huge music library and personalized features, Apple Music may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you already have a large music collection and want to access it from any device, or if you prefer to store your music locally, iTunes Match may be the better choice.

Part 2. I Have Apple Music Do I Still Need iTunes Match?

Whether or not you need iTunes Match or if you already have Apple Music depends on your specific music needs and preferences. Here we will talk about some factors to consider when deciding if you need iTunes Match if you already have Apple Music.

If you have a large local music library that you want to access across all of your devices, then iTunes Match may be useful for you. With iTunes Match, you can upload your music library to iCloud and access it on any device that's signed in to your Apple ID, even if the device doesn't have your music library downloaded.

In addition, if you're a music enthusiast who cares about the highest possible audio quality, then iTunes Match may be worth considering. While Apple Music streams at a bitrate of 256 kbps, higher than many other streaming services, iTunes Match allows you to download your own music files in their original quality, including lossless audio.

Apple Music is a subscription-based service, while iTunes Match is a one-time fee of $24.99 per year. If you're already paying for Apple Music and don't have a large local music library or don't care about higher audio quality, you may not need to also pay for iTunes Match.

Plus, if you enjoy the personalized playlists and recommendations offered by Apple Music, then iTunes Match may not be necessary for you. However, if you primarily listen to your own music library and don't rely on Apple Music's personalized features, then iTunes Match may be a better fit.

In general, if you're already satisfied with Apple Music and don't have a large local music library or specific audio quality preferences, you may not need to also subscribe to iTunes Match. However, if you have a large local music library that you want to access across all of your devices, or if you care about high-quality audio, then iTunes Match may be a useful addition to your music collection.

After understanding the comparison between Apple Music and iTunes in various aspects, do you want to download your favorite Apple songs for offline playback? You will definitely be very interested in what follows.

Part 3. Helpful Tips: Download Apple Music For Free & Keep The Songs Forever

If you want to download Apple songs or iTunes songs for offline playback on different devices, you need a powerful tool. TuneSolo Apple Music Converter is a third-party software created to convert various types of iTunes media, including Apple Music songs, albums, and playlists, into commonly used audio formats like MP3, M4A, FLAC, or WAV.

This software can be installed on both Mac and Windows computers and is helpful for people who wish to play their Apple Music content on other devices that don't support the Apple Music app. Additionally, it's a useful tool for those who want to have a copy of their favorite Apple Music tracks even after their subscription ends.

Among its prominent features are its ability to convert and download Apple music files in batches, its fast conversion speed, and the ability to adjust the output audio settings, such as bit rate, sample rate, and channel. The software also boasts a user-friendly interface, making it easy to use, even for those who are not tech-savvy.

In general, TuneSolo Apple Music Converter is a convenient solution for those who desire to enjoy their Apple Music content on a broader range of devices or want to keep a backup of their favorite tracks. You can get the tool for a free trial or buy it outright if you want to take advantage of its features to the fullest.

Part 4. Conclusion

To summarize, Apple Music and iTunes Match are both good services that provide customers with unique benefits. Apple Music has a large library of songs, curated playlists, and customized suggestions, making it a popular choice among music fans. On the other side, iTunes Match allows you to access your full music library from any device and download songs in their original quality.

It depends on your choices and needs if you need iTunes Match or if you already have Apple Music. If you primarily use Apple Music and are content with its capabilities, iTunes Match may not be necessary. If you have a huge local music library or value high-quality audio, iTunes Match may be a worthwhile addition.

Hope this guide about the in-depth comparison of Apple Music vs iTunes Match can help you! If you want to take advantage of the tracks on iTunes and Apple Music, you can use TuneSolo Apple Music Converter. It can help you grab different media tracks from the said platforms. In this way, you can have a copy of your favorite entertainment content.

Try It Free Try It Free