iTunes Match vs Apple Music😜

I was wondering the same thing, iTunes Match or Apple Music. Currently, I subscribe to iTunes Match but it seems I am the only one in my family that listens to music in the library. Everyone else prefers streaming like iHeart or Spotify. Unfortunately, I am not going to pay for multiple streaming services. I don't mind streaming and I am not against it. I like XM Radio but I am not going to pay the extra fee to stream music.

I guess I am looking for the best of both worlds. Since I already pay for iTunes Match, it would make sense to upgrade to Apple Music but I would want to stream as well as listen to music in the Library. Also, I am looking for something the whole family could use independently of each other. The other issue, everyone in the family has different musical taste. I like 70s, 80s, New Wave, Hair bands, etc... while others have other tastes.

Hi,

Read this tip iTunes Match User Tips

Jim

Welcome to Apple Support Communities, Kuks1er!

That's a great question about the two. I would definitely want to know how they worked so I could enjoy my subscriptions!

They're similar, but have one basic difference. iTunes Match takes the music you've purchased, matches it to songs available in iTunes, then places a copy of it in your iCloud Music Library for other devices to use. Apple Music membership allows you access to music in iTunes while you're a member, it stores the songs in your iCloud Music Library as well which also makes it available to your devices.

iCloud Music Library: Understanding differences between Apple Music and iTunes Match

To listen to the music anywhere, you can also download a copy of music from the iCloud Music Library for listening while your device isn't connected to the internet. You'll initially need to be connected to do so.

iTunes Match

Does iTunes Match stream or download songs?

On a computer, any songs stored in iCloud will stream over the air when played, though you can download them at any time by clicking the iCloud download button. iOS devices will start playing tracks from iCloud as they download and will store them so that you can listen to them later even if you don’t have a network connection.

Apple Music

Download songs, albums, and playlists to listen to offline.

You can download songs, albums, or playlists to your device so that you can listen to them when you're not connected to the Internet.* You must download songs, albums, or playlists on each device that you want to use for offline listening. (instructions on how for different devices, locate that section in the above link)

Happy listening!