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. Which service do you think is the best? Let us know in the comments below.
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