Top Music Download Sites
With the expansion in the number of websites selling legal downloadable music content, Music Spy have searched the web and compiled a list of the top music download sites offering the best value pay per download and subscription services.
The majority of stores provide music which is DRM (digital rights management) free, this allows you to transfer songs from one device to next without restriction. Look out for this when downloading if you intend to store the track on multiple players.
To find out more information, click on the store links to visit the retailers or click the thumbnails to enlarge the image.
Amazon.co.ukAmazon stock over 800,000 albums and millions of DRM (Digital Rights Management) tracks in MP3 format. MP3's can be played in any device that plays MP3 files and can be copied to a number of devices without restriction. Tracks start from 29p and albums from also promote music by offering free downloads.
7digital7digital.com offer a vast catalogue of downloadable content from £5 per album or 79p per track. Music promotions include free music downloads and classic albums at a discounted rate and all DRM free. In September 2009, HMV took a 50% stake in 7digital.com and will now become HMV's supplier for all its digital operations. |
Specialising in unrestricted, independant music and all downloadable tracks are DRM free. 2 million licensed songs available, offered on a pay as you download or subscription basis (monthly or annual) on a credit basis. Prices start from 99 cents (1 credit) per track.
Founded in 2004, Bleep specialise in a variety of electronic and and independant music. Bitrates are variable and offer great quality music files. One of the unique selling points of Bleep is the ability to preview an entire track before you buy. Tracks start from 99p per track or £6.99 for an album.
|
Over 6 million tracks are available to download from this US based by globally subscribed service. Prices are cheap and start from as little as 25 cents. The files are in MP3 format and can be played in any device. New members also benefit from a free download service and if you unsubscribe, you still get to keep the music!
Free music downloads from artists predominantly in the US offering music from both signed and unsigned artists. Radio streams can be personalised and there are also full album streams available to members. Formats are in MP3 and WMA, DRM free for portability and the tracks can be played in any music playing device.
|
The UK's first music download service offering more that 1 million songs and exclusive downloadable content. In 2005, HMV joined forces with Microsoft to launch a windows based music and jukebox service on a pay per track or subscription basis. Tracks start from 79p or £14.99 per month for unlimited temporary downloads for the lifetime of your membership.
Insound was launched in 1998 and sell MP3 downloads, CD's, Vinyl, and music merchandise focussed primarily on the sale of indie rock and music from similar genre's. Members can download promotional tracks for free and can listen to music through the Insound radio stream. Typical albums cost $10.49 with many tracks and LP's available for no charge.
|
Intomusic.co.uk is one of the UK's most established independent music download sites, offering a good blend of music from independant labels. The site is easy to use, offer music streaming and free music promotions but is limited to independent artists which may not appeal to all. All songs are downloadable in the universally accepted MP3 format with prices ranging from 47p to 60p. Albums are priced based on the number of tracks listed for the album.
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple Inc and is the largest seller of downloadable content in the United States. iTunes has sold over 6 billion songs, accounting for 70% of global music sales since its opening on April 28, 2003. At the 2009 Macworld Conference & Expo, it was announced that the iTunes Music Store would be DRM-free, with conversion complete by April 2009. Songs cost typically cost 79p for a track or £7.99 for an album.
|
Napster was the pioneer of online music sharing and although shut down by court order in 2001, the service re-launched with a legal pay per download service, now offering over 8 million tracks through a subscription service or pay per download. Subscription costs £5 per month and offers unlimited access to all genre's of music, including playlists and over 90 ad free radio stations. Individual downloads start at 79p per track and 5 can be kept each month.
All the music files at PlayDigital are either recorded at 192Kbit/s or 320Kbit/s. The 192Kbit/s tracks deliver sound quality which is virtually indistinguishable from CD quality. The 320Kbit/s tracks offer extremely high quality sound files and all formats are DRM free which means they can be transferred from on player to the next. Subscription is not required and new tracks can cost as little as 65p whilst PlayDigital's offers bargains from £2.99 per album.
|
Sky Songs is a brand new service launched by Sky in 2009 to provide an unlimited streaming service for over 4 million songs, you can also download and keep music. Buy albums or mix-and-match songs plus unlimited streaming from as little as £6.49 per month or make a one off purchase. Sky Songs can be used with Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari browsers on Mac OS X 10.5 or later and Windows XP or later.
Tesco moves closer to global domination through 'Tesco Digital', a music and film / tv download (beta) service providing over 5million downloadable tracks from 57p per song, albums from £5.97. Fantastic bargains are available - Top 10 MP3 tracks are only 29p each, top 10 albums are only £3.97. The file type is WMA which means that the files can only be played on Windows operating system.
|
Co founded by ex Genesys front man and digital pioneer Peter Gabriel, we7 offers a downloadable catalogue of over 3 million tracks at superb mp3 bitrates (normally 320kps). we7 also provide a free and legal on demand music service from major and independant record labels to discover and share your favourite music.
Wippit has a growing catalogue of 60,000 tracks from over 1,700 labels with one time downloads costing as little as 29p, a ringtone service is also available. Wippit also provide a monthly and annual subscription service costing £4.99 or £50 respectively, which enables you to download an unlimited amount of tracks for the subscribed term.
|
|
|