Spotify and iTunes are two popular platforms that allow users to listen to music and other audio content without relying on physical media like CDs or DVDs. Both platforms offer a large library of music. However, each offer unique features and caterer to different preferences.
The key difference between Spotify and iTunes is the platforms they are available on. Spotify is available on a wide range of platforms whereas iTunes is available on Apple devices.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Spotify
3. What is iTunes
4. Similarities – Spotify and iTunes
5. Spotify vs iTunes in Tabular Form
6. FAQ: Spotify and iTunes
What is Spotify?
Spotify is an audio streaming service that provides access to a large selection of music and podcasts. It works with Linux, Windows, or Macintosh operating systems and is also compatible with Android and iPhone devices. Therefore, users can listen to songs and podcasts on their smartphones, laptops, as well as other gadgets.
Spotify has an intelligent algorithm to study what the users are listening to and then suggest new music and playlists based on their preferences. It also lets users share audios through email or social media. In addition, Spotify has an offline mode, where users can download playlists and listen to songs without internet.
Furthermore, Spotify has two versions: free and premium versions. Although the free version lets users access to a big collection of songs and playlists, users have to experience ads and there are also some restrictions. But the premium version has many exclusive features, like better sound quality, absence of ads, and the offline mode.
What is iTunes?
iTunes is a music service and program Apple released on January 9, 2001. At first, it was introduced as a simple music player. But it quickly turned into a media management software that included features for organizing music libraries, creating playlists, burning CDs, and purchasing music through the iTunes Store, which was introduced in 2003. It didn’t just allow people to purchase music from the internet, it also allowed the purchase of videos, songs, and other media. It was integrated with Apple’s iPod, iPhone, and iPad devices, which helped users to sync their media libraries across their devices.
However, as a standalone application, iTunes is no longer available for macOS users starting with macOS Catalina (released in October 2019). Apple replaced iTunes with three separate apps: Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Podcasts. Nevertheless, the iTunes Store is still available within the Apple Music app for purchasing music. For Windows users, iTunes is still available and can be downloaded from Apple’s website or the Microsoft Store.
Similarities Between Spotify and iTunes
1. Both platforms have a large library of audio files, including songs and podcasts.
2. In both platforms, users can create, save, and play playlists.
3. Both can be used on a variety of media, such as phones, tablets, and computers.
4. Users can create accounts in them for a personalized experience.
Difference Between Spotify and iTunes
Definition
- Spotify is an audio streaming service that provides access to a large selection of music and podcasts.
- iTunes is a software application that serves as a media player, media library, mobile device management tool, and client for the iTunes Store.
Origins
- Spotify was launched in 2006.
- iTunes was launched in 2001.
Paid vs Free
- In Spotify, users have to pay a monthly subscription fee for premium access or use the free tier with ads.
- In iTunes, users have to pay per item for the content they wanted to own.
Operating Systems
- Spotify was designed to work in many operating systems, including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and web browsers.
- iTunes was mainly for use in Apple devices and iOS operating systems.
Focus
- Spotify focuses on audio streaming, with features like personalized playlists, radio stations, collaborative playlists, and social sharing.
- iTunes focused on media management and ownership, helping users to organize their media library, create custom playlists, and sync content to their Apple devices.
The following table summarizes the difference between Spotify and iTunes.
FAQ: Spotify and iTunes
1. Do I need iTunes for Spotify?
- No, you do not need iTunes for Spotify. iTunes and Spotify are two separate services, and you do not need one for the other. You can easily download the Spotify app on your phone (through App store or Google Play Store) or your computer (through the official site)
2. Do more people use iTunes or Spotify?
- More people use Spotify than iTunes. This is because Spotify is available on a wide range of devices and platforms, including smartphones, tablets, computers, smart speakers, and more. Furthermore, iTunes is no longer available as a standalone ap.
3. Does Apple Music sound better than Spotify?
- Apple has superior sound quality due to its support for lossless and high-resolution audio formats. Lossless audio minimizes data loss during compression, which gives CD-quality sound from digital files that closely match the original source. Additionally, some albums on Apple Music are also available in Hi-Res Lossless.
4. Does Apple Music work offline?
- To use Apple Music offline, you have to download the songs first when your device is connected to internet. You can later play these downloaded music even when you are offline.
Reference:
1. “What is Spotify?” Techopedia.com.
2. “iTunes.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Black Samsung Galaxy Tab with Spotify open” (CC0) via Pexels
2. “ITunes OS X” By Chabe01 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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