Music Downloads: Reviews

Napster's music catalog has expanded to over 11 million songs, 6 million of which are DRM-free. Songs come in WMA or MP3 format. WMA files are compatible with almost all music players except iPods, while Napster's library… expandof MP3s can be played on all music players. While you can buy songs individually, Napster is unique in that it offers a monthly subscription service, which allows you to listen to any song or album in the Napster catalog as long as you keep your subscription current. There is also a Napster app for the iPhone/iPod touch. collapse

With over 13 million tracks, a thoughtful selection of music and great depth across a broad range of genres, reviewers say iTunes offers one of the most comprehensive catalogs of any music site. While all tracks are now… expandDRM-free, Apple's proprietary AAC music format makes downloads to non-iPod devices cumbersome, requiring additional software to convert tracks to MP3 format. You can, however, listen to iTunes tracks on your computer if you don't own an iPod. Unfortunately, iTunes has yet to offer a monthly subscription service like Napster, so you're limited to buying tracks or albums individually. collapse

Amazon.com boasts a large library of more than 13 million songs, comparable to that of iTunes and topping Napster. Its DRM-free MP3 tracks are playable on virtually every music player, including iPods, so this is a good… expandsite if you don't want to be forever tied to iTunes or another proprietary format. The site's AmazonMP3 Downloader will automatically transfer your purchases to iTunes or Windows Media Player if you choose. Like iTunes, AmazonMP3 doesn't have a subscription service, but Amazon's prices for tracks and albums are often lower than Apple's. collapse

EMusic's catalog consists mainly of indie groups and emerging artists, along with a healthy dose of classical music. In addition, some major artists' recordings on smaller labels at the beginning or end of their careers… expandcan also be found. In 2009, eMusic signed a deal with Sony Entertainment to carry its back catalog of songs, significantly increasing the site's mainstream selections. Because eMusic uses the MP3 format, tracks are playable on nearly all music players, including iPods, with no usage restrictions. Songs can't be bought individually, but monthly download packages for between 24 and 50 tunes bring the cost per track down to 50 cents or less. collapse