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Digital Music Overview /
Digital Music Websites Review

Digital Music Sites allow consumers to stream (listen without downloading to their PCs) or download (save on their PC's or portable devices) all forms of music. Streaming music is becoming increasingly popular as these services allow the user to stream an unlimited amount of music for one price (monthly or yearly subscription fee). These services are great for users who just want to listen to music and don't have the need to own the file or use it on a portable device such as a phone or MP3 player. Some services offer the ability to download the actual music and pay a fee per song (typically around $0.99 per song). These services are more for users who need to own the actual song file and port it to portable devices such as phones and MP3 players for listing. Because both of these service types are popular, many Digital Music Websites offer both options so that users can choose which is best for them. Digital Music Websites offer a wide variety of music with some services having libraries with over 6 million songs. Because the Internet of becoming more communal and recommendation driven, many Digital Music Websites are building communities and recommendation services that help users decide which music to listen to. Community driven features include user-generated playlists (collections of songs created by users), user reviews / ratings, user recommendations, and other user-to-user interactivity are driving music discovery across the web.

Category Tags / Keywords: download music, stream music, purchase music, DRM, burn CDs, music on my phone, side loading, side load

Category Tags / Keywords: how to use Digital Music Websites, reviews of Digital Music Websites, how Digital Music Websites work, what is Digital Music, information on Digital Music Websites / Digital Music Website, Digital Music Website research, definition of Digital Music

Below are the various types of Digital Music Websites


Top / Best Digital Music Websites / List of Digital Music Websites

  Website / Service Name
Avg. Rating
Type of Website / Service
More Info
1 7Digital
7  / 10
Downloads & Streaming
More Info /
7Digital Reviews
2 Altnet
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Altnet Reviews
3 Amie Street
6  / 10
Downloads & Streaming
More Info /
Amie Street Reviews
4 AnyWhere CD
6  / 10
Downloads & Streaming
More Info /
AnyWhere CD Reviews
5 AOL Music
5  / 10
Downloads & Streaming
More Info /
AOL Music Reviews
6 ArkivMusic
7  / 10
CD Sales
More Info /
ArkivMusic Reviews
7 AudibleFaith.com
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
AudibleFaith.com Reviews
8 AudioLunchBox
5  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
AudioLunchBox Reviews
9 BeatPort
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
BeatPort Reviews
10 Bleep
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Bleep Reviews
11 Bleep
7  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Bleep Reviews
12 Boost Independent Music Store
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Boost Independent Music Store Reviews
13 BuyMusic
5  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
BuyMusic Reviews
14 Dancetracks Digital
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Dancetracks Digital Reviews
15 DJDownload
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
DJDownload Reviews
16 DJMR Music Download
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
DJMR Music Download Reviews
17 Download City
5  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Download City Reviews
18 Echonest
5  / 10
Music Commerce Tools
More Info /
Echonest Reviews
19 eClassical
7  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
eClassical Reviews
20 eMusic
5  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
eMusic Reviews
21 Epitonic
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Epitonic Reviews
22 EZ-Tracks
2  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
EZ-Tracks Reviews
23 FYE
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
FYE Reviews
24 Hot Bands
7  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Hot Bands Reviews
25 imeem
9  / 10
Free Music
More Info /
imeem Reviews
26 IndieCentric
5  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
IndieCentric Reviews
27 Indiepad
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Indiepad Reviews
28 Indistr
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Indistr Reviews
29 InSound
7  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
InSound Reviews
30 iTunes
8  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
iTunes Reviews
31 Jamendo
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Jamendo Reviews
32 LaLa
8  / 10
Free Music
More Info /
LaLa Reviews
33 Legalsounds.com
4  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Legalsounds.com Reviews
34 MP3 Arena
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
MP3 Arena Reviews
35 MP3 Ninja
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
MP3 Ninja Reviews
36 MP3tunes
5  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
MP3tunes Reviews
37 MSN Music
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
MSN Music Reviews
38 Mtraks
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Mtraks Reviews
39 Music for Dozens
5  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Music for Dozens Reviews
40 Musiclovr.com
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Musiclovr.com Reviews
41 MySpace Music
6  / 10
Downloads & Streaming
More Info /
MySpace Music Reviews
42 Napster
6  / 10
Downloads & Streaming
More Info /
Napster Reviews
43 Other Music
5  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Other Music Reviews
44 PassAlong
5  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
PassAlong Reviews
45 Passionato
5  / 10
Downloads & Streaming
More Info /
Passionato Reviews
46 PayPlay.Fm
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
PayPlay.Fm Reviews
47 Puretracks
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Puretracks Reviews
48 Qtrax
5  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Qtrax Reviews
49 Rhapsody
8  / 10
Downloads & Streaming
More Info /
Rhapsody Reviews
50 Rukus
5  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Rukus Reviews
51 Snocap
4  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Snocap Reviews
52 Sony Connect
4  / 10
Downloads & Streaming
More Info /
Sony Connect Reviews
53 Soundbuzz
5  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Soundbuzz Reviews
54 Spiral Frog
5  / 10
Free Music
More Info /
Spiral Frog Reviews
55 Spotify
6  / 10
Downloads & Streaming
More Info /
Spotify Reviews
56 Streamwaves.com
5  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Streamwaves.com Reviews
57 Traxsource.com
5  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Traxsource.com Reviews
58 Virgin Digital
4  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Virgin Digital Reviews
59 Walmart Music
6  / 10
Downloads & Streaming
More Info /
Walmart Music Reviews
60 We7
3  / 10
Free Music
More Info /
We7 Reviews
61 Xclusivetrax
5  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Xclusivetrax Reviews
62 Yahoo! Music
6  / 10
Downloads & Streaming
More Info /
Yahoo! Music Reviews
63 Yourmusic.com
6  / 10
Download Only
More Info /
Yourmusic.com Reviews

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Digital Music Statistics / Facts / Figures Related to Digital Music Websites

Stat Name Stat Data
Worldwide Music Industry Revenues (2006 - 2011) 2006 ($60.7 billion), 2007 ($61.5 billion), 2008 ($62.6 billion), 2009 ($65.0 billion), 2010 ($66.4 billion), 2011 ($67.6 billion)
Worldwide Recorded Music Revenues (2006 - 2011) 2006 ($36.0 billion), 2007 ($35.1 billion), 2008 ($34.6 billion), 2009 ($35.4 billion), 2010 ($35.1 billion), 2011 ($34.7 billion)
Worldwide Music Publishing Revenues (2006 - 2011) $8.0 billion (2006), $8.3 billion (2007), $8.6 billion (2008), $8.9 billion (2009), $9.1 billion (2010), $9.4 billion (2011)
Worldwide Live Music / Concert Revenues (2006 - 2011) $16.6 billion (2006), $18.1 billion (2007), $19.4 billion (2008), $20.8 billion (2009), $22.2 billion (2010), $23.5 billion (2011)
North American Recorded Music Revenues (2006 - 2011) $12.6 billion (2006), $13.0 billion (2007), $12.8 billion (2008), $12.6 billion (2009), $12.6 billion (2010), $12.4 billion (2011)
North American Music Publishing Revenues (2006 - 2011) $3.2 billion (2006), $3.3 billion (2007), $3.4 billion (2008), $3.6 billion (2009), $3.7 billion (2010), $3.8 billion (2011)
North American Live Music / Concert Revenues (2006 - 2011) $7.3 billion (2006), $7.9 billion (2007), $8.5 billion (2008), $9.1 billion (2009), $9.7 billion (2010), $10.3 billion (2011)
North American Music Industry Revenues (2006 - 2011) $23.1 billion (2006), $24.2 billion (2007), $24.7 billion (2008), $25.3 billion (2009), $26.0 billion (2010), $26.5 billion (2011)
US Digital Music Revenues (2006 - 2011) $1.9 billion (2006), $2.8 billion (2007), $3.7 billion (2008), $4.5 billion (2009), $5.2 billion (2010), $5.7 billion (2011)
Worldwide Digital Music Revenues (2006 - 2011) $2.9 billion (2006), $4.5 billion (2007), $7.0 billion (2008), $10.7 billion (2009), $12.9 billion (2010), 14.8 billion (2011)
No stats listed
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What To Look For When Choosing Digital Music Websites

Feature Name
Feature Description
Music File Format This is definitely one of the more critical aspects to consider when choosing a digital music service. The file format determines which music players can play the file and what can be done with your music (copied to a CD, played on a portable MP3 player, etc.).
Compatibility with your MP3 player For those that use an iPod or other MP3 player, the file format is an important factor in choosing a service. The reason is all MP3 players only play certain file formats so if you purchase music from a music service that does not play on your MP3 player, you are stuck with music you can only use on your PC (not your MP3 player). Beware of compatibility!
Size of song library Services offering lots of music are always better than those that only offer a limited amount of music. The reason is you have a better chance of finding the music you are looking for if there is more to pick through.
Download vs. Stream Music Depending on your preferences, you may want to purchase the song and download the music to your PC or MP3 player or you may want to stream the song (rent it) and not own or download the music. Some services offer both streaming of the music and paid downloads while some offer one or the other. Look carefully and make sure you pick the one that matches watch needs.


Editor Quick Picks / Digital Music Recommendations

Quick Picks Name
Quick Picks Description
Quick Picks Winner
Best Community Features imeem is service that connects music fans the best utilizing their extensive data and user network. imeem provides a plethora of options to share music and connect with friends and/or like minded music fans.
Best Recommendations Because imeem is the best at gathering information from the community through sharing and using that information to connect music fans, they have a head start when it comes to recommendations.
Most Comprehensive Service When it comes to the total package, Rhapsody is the service that brings it all together under one service. Users can buy and download music, subscribe to unlimited streaming without downloading, port music to most MP3 players, offer recommendations, community, MP3 management, CD player, and just about anything else you want do.


Digital Music Features Definitions

Feature Name
Feature Description
Acoustic Recommendations Provide users with song and artist recommendations based on songs that acoustically sound like their favorite songs.
Listening Habit Recommendations Provide users with song and artist recommendations based on songs that they have listened to historically.
Friends Recommendations Provide users with song and artist recommendations based on songs that your friends have listened to.
Downloadable Music Player Forces users to download a music player that enables them to listen to music on the site.
Size of Player The size of the downloadable music player (in megabytes - MB)
Emerging/Non-Signed Artists/Band Music This is music from artists/bands that are not signed to larger labels and rely primarily on self-promotion to generate awareness and sales of their music
Popular/Signed Artists/Band Music Offers music from established, somewhat successful artists/bands that are signed with big labels or distribution companies
Facebook App Offers an integrated Facebook application for users to add to their Facebook profile pages. Facebook applications allow users to share data between Facebook and the service that creates the widget in a way that allows users to see their personal information from the service on their Facebook page and share it with their Facebook friends.
Widget App Offers a widget for users to embed in their web pages or profile pages. A widget is a piece of HTML code that allows the user to promote his/herself and the service that provided the widget by offering functionality such as "See my favorite songs" or "Vote for my favorite bands"
User Profile Page A profile page is created by a user and has all of their personal information on it including biographical information, their blogs, pictures/photos, personal videos, personal likes/dislikes, music they like, and anything else related to that user that he/she wants to share.
Song Ratings Allow users to rate songs quantitatively based on an out of 5 or out of 10 system. These ratings basically tell whether a user likes a song or not.
Song Reviews Allows users to write editorial comments on what aspects of a song or artist they like and those that they don't like. Reviews are great ways for artists to get feedback on their music.
User Playlists Offers users the ability to create playlists using song files. Playlists are simply lists of songs that users pick as their favorites (or want to listen to later). These lists are given names and are able to be listened to later by the user.
Celebrity Playlists Offers users the ability to see playlists created by celebrities or famous persons. Playlists are simply lists of songs that users pick as their favorites (or want to listen to later). These lists are given names and are able to be listened to later by the user.
Editor Playlists Offers users the ability to see playlists created by employees / staff of the service provider. Playlists are simply lists of songs that users pick as their favorites (or want to listen to later). These lists are given names and are able to be listened to later by the user.
Purchase CDs Allows users to purchase (own) a CD from the site
Purchase Digital Downloads Allows users to purchase (own) a Digital Download version of a song/album from the site
Purchase Ringtone Allows users to purchase (own) a Ringtone version of a song from the site
Purchase Merchandise Allows users to purchase (own) merchandise of their favorite bands from the site
Games Allow users to play games including card games, puzzle games, action games, trivia, etc.
Online/Streaming Radio Allow users to listen to music via a stream (not a download). Streaming music eliminates the need to download files and take up hard drive space and it allows users to listen to songs sequentially in a radio style format, something that downloading individual files does not allow.
Charts Offers users charts which show the top artists categorized by different variables including music sales, song rating, most spins, most fans, etc.
User Contests Contests are becoming an increasingly popular way to keep users around and make sites more sticky. Contests involve offering users of a site the ability to win cash or prizes in some form of competitive arena including listening to music, writing good reviews of music, referring songs to friends, etc.
Song Lyrics Offers users the ability to see the lyrics / words for songs they want to listen to
Exclusive Releases Gives users access to songs on an exclusive basis for a period of time. In each of these instances, the song (s) can only be found on the exclusive service providers sight and no where else.
Music Titles Available Total number of available to listen to and/or purchase
Copy Song to CD Allows users to purchase songs and copy those songs onto a CD for playback through a CD player
Song Preview Allows users to preview/listen to a song before they purchase it
Alternative Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Audiobooks Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Blues Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Children's Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Christen/Gospel/Inspirational Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Classical Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Comedy/Spoken Word Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Country Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Dance/DJ Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Electronic Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Folk Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Holiday Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Hip Hop Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Jazz Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Latin Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
New Age Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Opera/Vocal/Easy Listening Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Pop Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
R&B/Soul Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Rap Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Reggae Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Rock Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Soundtrack Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
World Music Genre Genre of music offered that allows users to listen to and/or purchase songs from this genre
Search by Genre/Category Allows users to search for songs / artists based on what genre the song is in
Search by Artist Allows users to search for songs / artists based on the artists name
Search by Song/Track Allows users to search for songs / artists based on the name of the song
Search by Album Allows users to search for songs / artists based on the name of the album the song is listed on
Album/Artist Information Provides users with information on the album / artist including biographical information, album cover art, awards the artist or song has won, etc.
Download Games, Movies, Other Allows users to download and /or buy other types of media including games, videos, movies, etc.
Playlist/Organizer Allows users to manage their playlists using a comprehensive set of tools
Search for Existing Music Files on PC Allows the user to search his/her hardrive for music files and integrates these music files into the music player offered by the service provider. This enables users to combine their existing personal libraries with any newly purchased music (all of their music is in one place).
Integrated Music Player A music application (sometimes downloaded, sometimes built into a browser), music-playing program offered by some music download services that make it possible for you to listen to the songs you download.
FAQ FAQs (or Frequently Asked Questions) are lists of common questions/problems and answers that users have about a particular site. FAQ's are the most common form of customer help.
eMail/Online Form Support Allows users to email a website and get help on anything related to that website.
Help Tickets/Email Form Support Allow users to submit their questions/issues and get a support ticket which will later be answered by a customer service representative
Searchable Knowledgebase Support Knowledge base help is a searchable database of frequently asked questions and problems that provide users with help beyond the static FAQ pages.
User Forums User forums (message boards) with customer support topics allow users to ask questions and issues about a site and let other users or company representative respond just as they would in a normal forum environment.
Customer Support Blog A blog (web log) that is created by the customer support staff that allows users to post entries and comments pertaining to site issues, problems, and questions about the service.
.wma Downloads Allow users to download purchased music in .wma format (Windows Media Application)
.mp3 Downloads Allow users to download purchased music in .mp3 format
.wav Downloads Allow users to download purchased music in .wav format
.aif Downloads Allow users to download purchased music in .aif format
.rax Downloads Allow users to download purchased music in .rax format
.m4p/.aac Downloads Allow users to download purchased music in .mp4 or .aac formats
Compatible w/ iPod Once purchased music is downloaded, it can be played/listened to with an iPod digital music player
Compatible w/ Rio Once purchased music is downloaded, it can be played/listened to with an Rio digital music player
Compatible w/ Sony Once purchased music is downloaded, it can be played/listened to with a Sony digital music player
Compatible w/ Dell Once purchased music is downloaded, it can be played/listened to with a Dell digital music player
Compatible w/ Creative Once purchased music is downloaded, it can be played/listened to with a Creative digital music player
Compatible w/ RCA Once purchased music is downloaded, it can be played/listened to with an RCA digital music player
Compatible w/ Windows XP Allows users with PCs utilizing Windows XP to download and install the music player application required by the service provider before a user can purchase or listen to music
Compatible w/ Windows 2000 Allows users with PCs utilizing Windows 2000 to download and install the music player application required by the service provider before a user can purchase or listen to music
Compatible w/ Windows ME Allows users with PCs utilizing Windows ME to download and install the music player application required by the service provider before a user can purchase or listen to music
Compatible w/ Windows 98 SE Allows users with PCs utilizing Windows 98 ME to download and install the music player application required by the service provider before a user can purchase or listen to music
Compatible w/ Windows NT Allows users with PCs utilizing Windows NT to download and install the music player application required by the service provider before a user can purchase or listen to music
Compatible w/ Windows Vista Allows users with PCs utilizing Windows Vista to download and install the music player application required by the service provider before a user can purchase or listen to music
Compatible w/ Windows Macintosh Allows users with a Macintosh (Mac) computer to download and install the music player application required by the service provider before a user can purchase or listen to music
Send Playlists to Friends Allows users to send complete playlists to friends via email for listening and/or download
Similar Albums Recommendations Provides users with song and artists recommendations based on albums that are similar to ones they have purchased and/or listened to.
Similar Artist Recommendations Provides users with song and artists recommendations based on artists that are similar to ones they have purchased and/or listened to.
Artist Ratings Allows users to quantitatively rate artists based on an out of 5 or out of 10 scale which ultimately provides a measure of how much a user likes or dislikes an artist
Album Ratings Allows users to quantitatively rate albums based on an out of 5 or out of 10 scale which ultimately provides a measure of how much a user likes or dislikes an album
Song Ratings Allows users to quantitatively rate songs based on an out of 5 or out of 10 scale which ultimately provides a measure of how much a user likes or dislikes a song


Digital Music News / Press / Stories

News Data
News Headline
5/22/2008 12:00:00 AM Should Music Startups Give Equity to Copyright Holders?
5/12/2008 12:00:00 AM Zune MP3 Player Market Share Up to 4%; Creative Drops to 2%
7/8/2008 12:00:00 AM Survey: 8 in 10 Ignore Music Critics; Web, Friends More Reliable
3/4/2009 12:00:00 AM Labels size up Web 2.0 music services
3/6/2009 12:00:00 AM The Music Industry's New Internet Problem
3/5/2009 12:00:00 AM Playing A New Tune: The Music Industry's D-I-Y Era
12/31/2008 12:00:00 AM 2008 U.S. Music Purchases Exceed 1.5 Billion; Growth in Overall Music Purchases Exceeds 10%
12/31/2008 12:00:00 AM 2008 U.S. Music Purchases Exceed 1.5 Billion; Growth in Overall Music Purchases Exceeds 10%
4/28/2010 12:00:00 AM IFPI's Latest Report On Music Sales Shows Growth In Some Markets


Feature Comparisons for Digital Music Websites

Click here to compare site features for Digital Music Websites


Feature Comparisons for Digital Music Websites News / Press / Stories

 

Name

1 Rhapsody
7
8
5
6
7
4
8
5
5
8
7
7
1 iTunes
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
5
6
6
6
1 Yahoo! Music
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
6
6
6
6
1 Napster
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
1 Sony Connect
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

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Similar Categories - If you like Digital Music Websites, you will also like...

Music Discovery / Recommendations Websites
Music Search Engines
Music Lyric Websites
Music News & Info Websites


Similar Actions - Actions associated with Digital Music Websites

Download Digital Songs
Stream music (not download it)
Download games to my PC/Mac
Download songs to my cell phone
Find new music
Get information on my favorite artists
Search for music files
Download ringtones to my phone
Listen to unique, talk shows and music
Find info on music / bands / artists