On this page, you can learn the basics about the major online music stores. If you're mainly interested in independent music--and music that often has fewer restrictions attached to it--move on to the
, where you can learn more about the online music stores that dare to be different.
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iTunes Music Store
Owned by Apple Computer, the iTunes store set the pattern for a la carte music shopping and is still the most fully featured.
- All tracks cost 99 cents.
- Works on Windows and Macintosh computers.
- More than 6 million tracks.
- Also offers podcasts, audiobooks, and video (mostly TV shows); the most innovative of all the stores.
- Most tracks will only playback
on the iPod or an authorized computer.
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Amazon MP3
Started by online retail giant Amazon.com, this music store was the first to offer DRM-free MP3 tracks from the Big Four (aka major music labels).
- Individual tracks cost between 89 and 99 cents.
- Works with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- More than 2 million tracks.
- Also offers Movies, TV shows, podcasts, eDocs, and streaming video.
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Napster
Once the reigning peer-to-peer music service, Napster is now a major music store.
- All tracks cost 99 cents.
- Works with Windows computers only, although users of any OS may access the Web client at Napster.com.
- More than 5 million tracks.
- With its great blogs and message boards, Napster does the most to create a sense of community in its store.
- Offers basic and to-go subscription services.
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Rhapsody
Created by Listen.com, Rhapsody is now owned by RealNetworks.
- All tracks cost 99 cents, unless you are a monthly subscriber, in which case you may purchase a la carte tracks for 89 cents.
- Works fully on Windows computers only, although both Mac and Windows user can get free accounts with Rhapsody's online site and stream 25 songs each month.
- More than 4.5 million tracks.
- While Rhapsody doesn't offer many advanced features, it has strong editorial content and an easy-to-browse interface.
- Offers basic and to-go subscription services.
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Zune Marketplace
Once the Zune started making headway, Microsoft essentially folded MSN Music into the Zune Marketplace, the place for owners of the device to find music and podcasts.
- All tracks cost 99 cents.
- Works with Windows computers only (naturally).
- More than 3 million songs.
- Offers a to-go music subscription service, as well as podcasts and music videos.
- Most tracks will only playback
on the Zune or an authorized computer.
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Wal-Mart Music Downloads
While no longer the price leader in a la carte music, Wal-Mart Music Downloads are scrubbed of any explicit content, which should put some parents at ease.
- All tracks cost 94 cents.
- Works on Windows computers through a Web browser.
- Relatively small catalog of more than 2 million songs; seems to feature more country and Christian artists than the others.
- While a bare-bones store for the morally conscious, it offers an innovative service that lets you create a custom mix CD, then have it burned and mailed to you.
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BuyMusic
A part of shopping site Buy.com, BuyMusic doesn't overwhelm with its catalog or features but aims for a niche audience of bargain shoppers and audiophiles.
- Most tracks cost 99 cents; some go for 79 cents.
- Works on Windows computers through a Web browser.
- Small catalog of just over 1 million tracks.
- BuyMusic offers some songs encoded at an especially high bit rate (256Kbps).
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