iTunes
Is This Your Business?4.3
5.2
Overall Score
Author: Kaitlyn Short
Apple created and launched iTunes in January of 2001, allowing users to listen to music anywhere on their Apple devices. iTunes became a noteworthy addition to the streaming industry as Apple added streaming movie and TV through iTunes and Apple TV. iTunes is now more than just a music player or a podcast app. This plunge into the television streaming space adds to the many unplugged streaming entertainment options.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Ad-free
- No subscription
- One place for all content
One Place for Music, Movies, TV, and Pictures
iTunes allows users to have access to all of their Apple content (music, movies, TV, video, and pictures) in one place, the iTunes library. This is a unique feature in the streaming TV industry. It's an added convenience to customers to have all of their content in one place.
Apple TV Integration
For $99 users can purchase Apple TV, a streaming device that syncs with other Apple devices and allows users to watch their favorite shows and movies from their TV and other Apple devices.
Parental Controls and Ad-Free
Users are able to watch movies ad-free and have parental controls for movies, giving flexibility for family viewing.
Great Mobile App
Apple has created a great iTunes app for its users that's available in the app store. The overall user experience is great and users give the iTunes mobile app a rating of over 4 stars.
No Monthly Fee
iTunes users don't pay a monthly fee to use iTunes. Users simply pay per rental or purchase. Overall, iTunes is a great entertainment platform where users can access music and pictures, and stream TV and movies. Users are able to watch movies ad-free and have access to parental controls while watching. And with a large library of over 2,000 TV series and over 20,500 movies to choose from, users have a great selection.
The Bad
- More expensive
- Apple products exclusively
- No free library
More Expensive Than Others
TV episodes and movies can be a little pricier to rent on iTunes. Rentals start around $3.99 for movies and $2.99 for new TV episodes.Only Works with Apple Products
Even though iTunes provides syncing with all of your other Apple products, they are closed off to other common devices (like those using Android).New Releases Only Available for Purchase
iTunes has a large library to choose from, but new releases are only available to purchase, not rent. Whereas Amazon Prime allows its customers the option of purchase or rental.Apple TV Restrictions
With Apple TV, users can't play DVD's, CD's, or do any kind of recording of their favorite TV shows. Also, no cables come with the purchase of an Apple TV and will need to be purchased separately.No Free Library
With iTunes users pay per rental or purchase. There is no library of free movies and TV for users to access. This is mainly due to the fact that users do not pay a monthly fee. Although iTunes has many great features to their services, there are some drawbacks to consider. The main drawback to iTunes is that if you aren't an Apple user than Apple TV and iTunes isn't even an option for you. iTunes only works for Apple devices. In addition, iTunes doesn't have a library of free movies and TV series to watch.The Bottom Line
If you currently use a variety of Apple products, then iTunes will give you the convenience of having all of your digital needs met at the click of a button, along with the other perks that being an Apple user brings. However, if you use any other device besides Apple, iTunes isn't even an option for you. Also, note that iTunes is not a monthly subscription streaming TV service. If you are looking for a large library of movies and TV to watch at any time, iTunes isn't the best fit for you. But if you are just looking for one-off rentals or purchases, and you are an Apple user, then iTunes is a great option to consider.
For more information, check out the iTunes reviews below.
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Kenneth Okerlund
7 years ago
Francis Adesuyi
1 year ago Edited March 29, 2024
Lindsay H. Draper, UT
7 years ago
Zac Marx Brighton, CO
5 years ago
Donald Gustafson Colorado Springs, CO
4 years ago
