Surf Wiki
Save to docs
general/online-services-comparisons

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

Comparison of online music lockers

None

None

This is a comparison of online music storage services (Cloud Music Services), Internet services that allow uploads of personally owned or licensed music to the cloud for listening on multiple devices.

Previously, there were three large services—Amazon Music, Apple's iTunes Match, and YouTube Music—each incorporating an online music store (see comparison), with purchased songs from the associated music store not counting toward storage limits. Other than additional storage space, the main additional feature provided with an annual fee by Apple (and formerly Amazon.com) was "scan-and-match", which examined music files on a computer and added a copy of matched tracks to the user's music locker without having to upload the files. Google provided both a large amount of storage space and the scan-and-match feature at no cost.

Amazon was the first of the initially-significant players to launch their cloud music locker service, in late March 2011, and the first to discontinue it, on 30 April 2018. Amazon Music launched without obtaining any new music streaming licenses, which upset the major record labels. Amazon eventually negotiated licenses before launching scan-and-match.

Google launched their service less than a month and a half after Amazon, also without obtaining any new licenses. Like Amazon, Google eventually negotiated licenses before launching scan-and-match. In 2018, Google announced a transition from Google Play Music to YouTube Music, and in May, 2020, Google had created a transfer tool to migrate added albums, uploads, history, and playlists. On October 22, 2020, Google Play Music was discontinued.

Apple was the last of the first three services to launch, which they did on October 12, 2011. However, Apple had negotiated ahead of time with the major record labels for new licenses. Apple's product is the only of the three to remain in operation today (see iTunes Match, below).

For streaming services where a person is unable to upload their own music, but is limited to music provided by the service, such as Pandora Radio and Spotify, see Comparison of on-demand streaming music services. See that article also for information on subscription streaming services provided by four of the companies below (Google Play Music All Access, Apple's Apple Music, Amazon's Prime Music, and Microsoft's Groove Music Pass).

Comparison

[MusicSync](https://musicsync.ashishb.net)[Media Leap](https://medialeap.com)YouTube MusiciBroadcastiTunes Match[VOX Music Cloud](https://vox.rocks/vox-player-premium)Owner:Launch date:Currently Available:Web Client:Windows Client:Android App:iOS App:Other listening platforms:Upload software:Music Format:Filetypes matched:Filetypes transcoded:Maximum file size:Free Bitrate:Premium Bitrate:Free Storage:Premium Storage:Premium service features:Premium pricing:Premium service countries:
MusicSync LLCMedia Leap Inc.YouTube LLC (Google LLC)iBroadcast Media, LLCApple Inc.Coppertino Inc.
2020-10-252020-12-112015-11-122012-06-152011-10-122015-04-15
In beta
Planned
Chromecast,Google Home, Sonos, Chromecast, Android TV, Android AutoApple TV, other AirPlaymacOS, Apple TV via AirPlay, Chromecast, Sonos
Web browser and via Google Drive clientWeb browser, in-app uploadtitle=Upload your music - YouTube Music Helpurl=https://support.google.com/youtubemusic/answer/9716522access-date=2020-08-14website=support.google.comarchive-date=2021-01-04archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104063803/https://support.google.com/youtubemusic/answer/9716522url-status=live}}Windows, macOS, Linux, Web browserWindows, macOSVOX Player for Mac, Web browser
MP3, MP4/M4A/ALAC/AAC, OGG, OPUS, WMA, FLAC, WAV, APE, WV, TTA, MPC, AIFF, DSD (DFF/DSF), MKA, MPGA, TAK, FLVMP3, OGG, FLAC .AACAAC, FLAC, MKA, MP3, OGG, PCMAAC, MP3AAC, AIFF, ALAC, APE, FLAC, M4A, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA
MP3, MP4/M4A/ALAC/AAC, OGG, OPUS, WMA, FLAC, WAV, APE, WV, TTA, MPC, AIFF, DSD (DFF/DSF), MKA, MPGA, TAK, FLVAAC, AIFF, ALAC, MP3, WAV
NoneFLAC, M4A, MP3, OGG, WMAAIFF, ALAC, WAV
No LimitNo Limit300 MB200 MB or 2 hoursurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104063741/https://vox.rocks/loop-music-cloud-storage/how-to-use#:~:text=File%20size%20limit%20is%20250Mb,streaming%20or%20saving%20for%20offlinedate=2021-01-04 }}.
Original QualityOriginal Quality256 kbit/s128 kbit/s
Original QualityOriginal Quality256 kbit/surl=https://www.ibroadcast.com/faq/title=IBroadcast - Frequently Asked Questionsaccess-date=2020-11-02archive-date=2021-01-04archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104063717/https://www.ibroadcast.com/faq/url-status=live }}256 kbit/sOriginal Quality
1 TB100,000 songs
Limited by your Google Drive100,000 songs
Unlimited storageAds-free, background play, download music offline, use audio-only mode, travel with YouTube Music, shuffle downloads, Apple Carplay & Android Auto compatibilityHigher bitrate streaming, equalizer, Android Auto, CarplayCustom Equalizer, Download music offline, Carplay, World Radio Stations, BS2B, Gap/Crossfade, Hog Mode, Sync Sample Rate and more premium audio features
Based on Google Drive paid plan$5 per month$9.99 per month (YouTube Music Premium)Free during Beta, $3.99 per month after launchAnnual fee of $24.99 (US), £21.99 (UK), €24.99 (FR), $39.99 (AU)$4.99 per month,
Worldwide94 (YouTube Music Premium)117Worldwide

Former or defunct services

  • Amazon Music storage, started in March 2009, offered storage space for 250 uploaded tracks (MP3 or AAC up to 100 MB each) in free version or 250,000 tracks in premium version, as well as web players for major operating systems, Fire TV, Roku, and Sonos sound systems. Amazon did not allow podcasts, ringtones, or audiobooks to be uploaded. Amazon started phasing out cloud storage from December 2017.
  • Best Buy Music Cloud debuted in June 2011 to unfavourable reviews.
  • Google Play Music Music locker, store, and streaming service debuted in May 2011, and shut down October 2020. Google has replaced Play Music with YouTube Music.
  • Groove Music by Microsoft debuted in 2015, linking Microsoft's Groove music player to OneDrive cloud storage. It allowed storing up to 5 GB of music in AAC, MP3 and WMA formats. Playback was possible on devices running Windows, iOS or Android as well as Xbox game consoles.
  • Lala started in 2006, was purchased by Apple, and shut down on May 31, 2010.
  • MP3tunes started in late 2005, fought major record labels in Capitol Records, Inc. v. MP3Tunes, LLC, and closed in 2012 after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
  • mSpot Music started in May 2010, was purchased by Samsung, and shut down on October 15, 2012.
  • My.MP3.com started in January 2000, fought major record labels in UMG v. MP3.com, and the service was discontinued by a new owner.
  • Samsung Music Hub was only available for a few Samsung devices and was retired on 1 July 2014.
  • Style Jukebox, debuted in September 2012, offered up to 2 TB of music storage (10 GB in the trial period) and music players for the common operating systems, and supported all major file formats incl. high-resolution audio. The service was discontinued in December 2017.
  • Ubuntu One only included music features (web and mobile app playback, 20 GB storage) with the paid plan. The service was shut down on 1 June 2014.

References

References

  1. [http://lifehacker.com/5812138/cloud-music-comparison-whats-the-best-service-for-streaming-your-library-everywhere Cloud Music Comparison: What’s the Best Service for Streaming Your Library Everywhere?] {{Webarchive. link. (2021-01-04 , [[Lifehacker]], 15 June 2011)
  2. [https://www.pcworld.com/article/244102/google_music_itunes_match_and_amazon_cloud_drive_digital_music_services_comparison.html Google Music, iTunes Match, and Amazon Cloud Drive: Digital Music Services Comparison] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-12-17 , [[PC World]], 17 November 2011)
  3. (20 December 2017). "Amazon Music to end support for streaming your uploaded MP3s".
  4. [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-amazon-idUSTRE72S13H20110329 Amazon faces backlash over "music locker" service] {{Webarchive. link. (2015-10-05 , [[Reuters]], Phil Wahba and Paul Thomasch, Mar 29, 2011)
  5. [https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2011/07/are-google-music-and-amazon-cloud-player-illegal/ Unlicensed: Are Google Music and Amazon Cloud Player illegal?] {{Webarchive. link. (2021-01-04 , [[Ars Technica]], July 4, 2011)
  6. (4 April 2019). "YouTube Music and YouTube Premium are now live in the U.S., 16 other nations".
  7. "YouTube Music is making it simple to transfer over your Google Play Music library".
  8. (22 October 2020). "Google Play Music is now officially dead, dead, dead (Update: ... Dead)".
  9. [https://www.facebook.com/iBroadcast/posts/234991993286015 We have released v.1.0 of the iBroadcast Android app. It is available now on Google Play.] {{Webarchive. link. (2021-01-04, [[iBroadcast Facebook page]], 2012-06-15)
  10. [http://www.macrumors.com/2015/04/15/coppertino-vox-iphone-loop-music-locker/ Coppertino Launches New LOOP Music Locker] {{Webarchive. link. (2021-01-04 , [[MacRumors]], 2015-04-15)
  11. [http://lifehacker.com/vox-plays-any-music-file-on-ios-streams-music-from-a-n-1697984360 Vox Plays Any Music File on iOS, Streams Music from a New Music Locker] {{Webarchive. link. (2021-01-04 , [[CNET]], April 15, 2015)
  12. (24 July 2015). "Play Lossless with Sonos via VOX".
  13. "Upload your music - YouTube Music Help".
  14. "Select or Change your Audio Quality - YouTube Music Help".
  15. (9 March 2020). "How YouTube Music uploads differ from Play Music: Everything you need to know".
  16. [http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4914 iTunes Store: Subscribing to iTunes Match] {{Webarchive. link. (2021-01-04 , Apple.com)
  17. link. (2021-01-04 .)
  18. "IBroadcast - Frequently Asked Questions".
  19. "IBroadcast - Frequently Asked Questions".
  20. support.google.com [https://support.google.com/youtubemusic/answer/9716522?hl=en "Upload music to your YouTube Music library"]
  21. [http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4874 iCloud storage plan overview] {{Webarchive. link. (2021-01-04 , Apple.com)
  22. link. (2021-01-04 .)
  23. "Apple support page showing 100,000 track limit".
  24. "Explore YouTube Music Premium benefits - YouTube Music Help".
  25. "VOX Premium. Advanced music player for Mac & iPhone. Equalizer, Music Cloud, Online Radio".
  26. "Plans & Pricing - Google One".
  27. "Paid memberships available locations - YouTube Help".
  28. [http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5085 iTunes in the Cloud and iTunes Match Availability] {{Webarchive. link. (2014-10-29 , Apple Support)
  29. [https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/01/throwdown-itunes-match-vs-amazon-cloud-player-vs-google-music/2/ Google Music and Amazon Cloud Player take on iTunes Match. Who wins?] {{Webarchive. link. (2021-01-04 , [[Ars Technica]], January 17, 2013)
  30. "About Amazon Music Subscriptions".
  31. [https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2387432,00.asp Best Buy's Music Cloud: Skip It, For Now] {{Webarchive. link. (2021-01-04 , PCMag.com, June 22, 2011)
  32. (22 October 2020). "Google Play Music is now officially dead, dead, dead (Update: ... Dead)".
  33. [https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/05/music-labels-force-pioneering-mp3tunes-into-bankruptcy/ Music labels force pioneering MP3tunes into bankruptcy] {{Webarchive. link. (2021-01-04 , Ars Technica, May 14, 2012)
  34. [http://www.mspotcorporate.com/press/mspot-new-music-cloud-service-connects-you-your-music-anytime-smartphone-and-web mSpot New Music Cloud Service] {{Webarchive. link. (2013-04-17, May 19, 2010)
  35. [http://gigaom.com/mobile/samsung-boosts-its-mobile-ecosystem-with-mspot-purchase/ Samsung boosts its mobile ecosystem with mSpot purchase] {{Webarchive. link. (2021-01-04 , [[GigaOM]], May 9, 2012)
  36. [https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/01/amazon-autorip-how-the-labels-held-back-progress-for-14-years/ Amazon AutoRip: How the labels held back progress for 14 years] {{Webarchive. link. (2021-01-04 , Ars Technica, January 11, 2013)
  37. [http://www.mspotcorporate.com/blog/mspot-music-closing-october-15-2012 mSpot Music is closing on October 15, 2012] {{Webarchive. link. (November 2, 2012, mSpot blog, 9/19/2012)
  38. [http://www.cnet.com/news/samsung-to-retire-music-hub-streaming-service/ Samsung to retire Music Hub streaming service] {{Webarchive. link. (2021-01-04 , CNet.com)
  39. (2 April 2014). "Shutting down Ubuntu One file services". Canonical Ltd.
Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

online-services-comparisons cloud-storage itunes
Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about Comparison of online music lockers — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report