Apple announced a new music streaming service on Monday called iTunes Radio, and although the company is already is a huge player in the digital music space, it will now go head-to-head with a whole slew of web radio leaders.
iTunes Radio is most similar to Pandora, allowing users to create custom radio stations based on songs and artists, while also discovering new music through “featured” radio stations. Although it’s free for iTunes users, iTunes Radio will feature ads for those who are not iTunes Match subscribers.
Other companies such as Google and Xbox have had their sights set on Internet radio, too. In fact, just last month, Google announced its own streaming music platform — Google Play Music All Access. The Swedish-based Spotify, which launched in 2008 and came to the U.S. in 2011 — also has a radio service that serves its 24 million monthly active users and 6 million paying subscribers.
With 20 million licensed songs, Spotify actually beats out Pandora, Slacker and iHeartRadio in terms of its library, but trails behind Xbox Music’s database of 30 million songs. Pandora is the clear adoption leader with 70 million monthly active users and 200 million registered users, but that doesn’t mean Apple can’t catch up.
Here’s a look at how the new iTunes Radio stacks up against others. Check out the full chart here –> [Mashable]
iTunes Radio |
Xbox Music |
Google Play Music All Access |
Pandora |
Spotify |
Slacker |
iHeartRadio |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Users | N/A | Unknown | Unknown | 70 million | 20 million | 4 million | 48 million |
| Launched | 2013 | 2012 | 2013 | 2005 | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 |
| Custom Stations | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free Version | YesAds, skipping unknown | YesLimited skips, ads | YesLimited skips | YesLimited skips, ads, reduced quality | YesAds, limited listening time, unlimited skipping | YesAds, limited skipping | YesFifteen combined skips per day, six per hour per station |
| Paid Tiers | No ads for iTunes Match subscribers, $24.99/year | $9.99/month for unlimited skipping and offline listening; 30-day free trial | $9.99/month for unlimited skipping and offline listening; 30-day free trial | $36/year or $3.99/month for no ads, higher quality audio (192K bits for second), fewer interuptions | $4.99/month for no ads. $9.99/month lets you use all devices, no ads, unlimited skipping | $3.99 ad-free, $9.99 custom playlists and full on-demand streaming | No paid tiers |
| Track Rating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Library Size | Unknown | 30 million | Unknown | 1 million | 20 million | 13 million | 15 million |
| Stations | Custom and curated stations | Custom stations | Custom and curated stations | Custom stations | Custom stations, on demand | Custom and curated stations, 750 terrestrial stations, live talk radio, on demand | Custom, 1,500 Live Stations |
| Social Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Apps | iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Apple TV), iTunes on Mac and PC | Windows Phone, apps for Android and iOS expected soon | Android, coming soon to iOS | iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry | iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, S60 (Symbian), Windows Mobile | iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry | iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry |
