iTunes doesn't charge a monthly subscription—you pay per song or album

iTunes itself is free to read and use. When you buy music through iTunes, you pay once for each song (usually $1.29) or album, and it's yours to keep. There is no monthly fee to access your music library or use the iTunes app.

However, Apple offers several music and media services that do charge monthly fees. The most common one is Apple Music, which costs $10.99 per month for an individual plan. This is different from buying individual songs—it's a subscription that lets you stream millions of songs as long as you keep paying.

If you're looking at the Apple TV section, you may also be considering Apple TV+, which is a separate video streaming service at $9.99 per month (or $99 per year). This is not music; it's movies and TV shows.

Key Takeaways

  • Buying individual songs or albums through iTunes costs per item, not per month—you own them permanently after purchase.
  • Apple Music is the monthly subscription for unlimited music streaming at $10.99 per month for one person.
  • Apple TV+ is a separate $9.99 monthly service for movies and television, not music.
  • You can use iTunes to manage music you've purchased, but you don't need a subscription to access your own library.
  • Family plans and student discounts are available for both Apple Music and Apple TV+ at different price points.

The difference between buying music and streaming music

When you buy a song on iTunes, you own a digital file. You can read it, play it offline, and keep it forever even if you cancel any subscription. The price is one-time: you pay $1.29 for a song or $9.99 to $14.99 for most albums, depending on the artist and release date.

Apple Music works the opposite way. You pay $10.99 every month, and as long as your subscription is active, you can stream any of the 100 million songs in Apple's catalog. If you stop paying, you lose access to all of them—you don't own anything. The advantage is that you can listen to far more music for less money than buying individual songs would cost.

Many people use both: they buy their favorite albums or songs they want to own, and they subscribe to Apple Music to explore and listen to everything else.

Apple Music pricing for different situations

The standard Apple Music plan is $10.99 per month for one person. Apple also offers a Family Plan at $16.99 per month, which covers up to six people in your household. Each person gets their own account and recommendations, so it's often cheaper per person than buying individual subscriptions.

If you're a full-time student, Apple Music costs $5.99 per month through the Student Plan. You'll need to verify your student status through a service called SheerID when you sign up. This plan lasts for up to four years.

Apple also bundles Apple Music with other services. An Apple One subscription combines Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade (games), and iCloud+ (cloud storage) starting at $16.95 per month. The bundle is cheaper than paying for each service separately if you use more than one.

How to check what you're currently paying

If you already have an Apple account, you can see your subscriptions and charges by opening the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, tapping your name at the top, then selecting "Subscriptions." This shows every active subscription tied to your Apple ID, including Apple Music, Apple TV+, and anything else you're paying for monthly.

On a Mac, open System Settings, click your name in the sidebar, then select "Subscriptions." On a Windows PC or Android device, you'll need to visit appleid.apple.com, sign in, and look for the "Subscriptions" section.

Your iTunes purchase history (individual songs and albums you've bought) appears in a different place. In the iTunes app or Apple Music app, look for "Account" or "Library" settings, then find "Purchase History" or "Purchased Music." This shows what you own, not what you're subscribed to.

Free ways to listen to music on Apple devices

You don't have to pay anything to use the Music app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You can upload up to 100,000 of your own songs to iCloud Music Library for free, and access them from any device signed into your Apple ID. This works whether you bought them on iTunes, ripped them from CDs, or downloaded them from elsewhere.

You can also listen to music you've purchased on iTunes without any subscription. If you bought songs or albums years ago, they're still in your library and playable as long as you're signed into the same Apple ID.

Apple Music comes free for three months if you buy a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. After the trial ends, you'll be charged the regular monthly rate unless you cancel.

What happens if you cancel Apple Music

If you stop paying for Apple Music, you lose the ability to stream songs from Apple's catalog. However, any music you purchased through iTunes remains in your library and playable. Your playlists stay in the app, but songs you added from Apple Music (not purchased) will show as unavailable.

You can cancel Apple Music anytime without penalty. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions > Apple Music, then tap "Cancel Subscription." You'll keep access until the end of your current billing period, then it stops.

If you're on a Family Plan, canceling removes only your account from the plan. The other family members keep their access as long as the plan holder continues to pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is iTunes still available?

iTunes as a standalone app was discontinued in 2019 on Mac and replaced by the Music app. On Windows, iTunes still exists but is being phased out. The iTunes Store (where you buy music) is now built into the Music app on all devices. You can still buy and own individual songs the same way.

Can I use Apple Music on Android or Windows?

Yes. Apple Music is available on Android phones and Windows PCs. The cost is the same: $10.99 per month for an individual plan. You sign in with your Apple ID and can stream the same catalog as iPhone users.

Do I need Apple Music to use Siri with music?

No. You can ask Siri to play songs you own through iTunes, or music in your iCloud Music Library, without any subscription. Siri works better with Apple Music because it has access to the full catalog, but it's not required.

What's the difference between Apple Music and iTunes Match?

iTunes Match ($34.99 per year) lets you upload your own music to the cloud and access it anywhere. Apple Music ($10.99 per month) gives you access to stream Apple's entire catalog. They serve different purposes—iTunes Match is for your personal collection, Apple Music is for discovery and streaming.

Can I share my Apple Music subscription with family members?

Yes, through the Family Plan at $16.99 per month for up to six people. Each person gets their own account, recommendations, and listening history. You manage the family group through Settings on your device.