What is the difference between Apple Music, the Music app, iTunes Match, iTunes Store, and iTunes?
This article explains the key differences between Apple Music, the Music app, iTunes Match, the iTunes Store, and the original iTunes app. You’ll learn what each service does, how they relate to one another, and how Apple’s music ecosystem has evolved over time.
Introduction
Over the years, Apple’s music ecosystem has changed significantly, evolving from the original iTunes software into several distinct apps and services. This guide breaks down what each one does and how they work together.
Apple Music (Streaming Service)
- Apple Music is Apple’s subscription-based music streaming service.
- It provides access to a large catalog of songs, albums, playlists, and curated content for a monthly fee.
- Subscribers can stream or download songs for offline listening, create playlists, and enjoy exclusive content such as Apple Music Radio and original shows.
- Available on all major Apple devices and select non-Apple platforms.
Apple Music focuses on streaming and subscription access, not individual purchases.
Music App (macOS and iOS)
- The Music app is the native music player and library management app for macOS and iOS.
- It replaced iTunes starting with macOS Catalina (2019) and later versions.
- The app allows users to:
- Play and organize their local music library.
- Purchase and download songs from the iTunes Store.
- Subscribe to Apple Music.
- Access iTunes Match libraries.
- Create and manage playlists.
On macOS and iOS, the Music app now serves as the central hub for all music playback and management.
iTunes Match
- iTunes Match is a cloud-based service for storing and syncing your personal music library across devices.
- It scans your library and matches songs with high-quality versions from the iTunes Store.
- Any unmatched songs are uploaded to iCloud.
- Once matched or uploaded, your entire library is available across all devices signed in with your Apple ID.
iTunes Match is ideal for users who own music files but want access to them across multiple devices without a streaming subscription.
iTunes Store
- The iTunes Store is Apple’s digital marketplace for purchasing and downloading music, movies, TV shows, and more.
- It was originally accessible through the iTunes app on Mac and Windows and now exists within the Music, TV, and App Store apps on modern devices.
- Users can still buy and download individual songs or albums even without an Apple Music subscription.
While iTunes as an app has been discontinued, the iTunes Store itself continues to operate as a marketplace.
iTunes App (Legacy)
- The iTunes app was Apple’s all-in-one media player, library manager, and store application.
- It allowed users to purchase, download, and organize digital music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and more.
- With the release of macOS Catalina in 2019, Apple retired iTunes and replaced it with separate apps for Music, TV, and Podcasts.
- Windows users can still download and use iTunes, though Apple is gradually transitioning to standalone apps there as well.
Think of iTunes as the predecessor to Apple’s current suite of media apps.
Summary Overview
| Service | Function | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Music | Streaming subscription with full music catalog | macOS, iOS, Windows, Android |
| Music App | Music player and library manager | macOS, iOS |
| iTunes Match | Cloud storage and syncing for personal libraries | macOS, iOS, Windows |
| iTunes Store | Digital store for music and media purchases | macOS, iOS, Windows |
| iTunes (Legacy App) | Former all-in-one media and store app | Discontinued on macOS, available on Windows |
In Short
- Apple Music is for streaming.
- The Music app is for playback and library management.
- iTunes Match is for syncing your own music collection.
- The iTunes Store is for buying songs.
- iTunes (legacy) was Apple’s original all-in-one music software.