Listening to music through services like Spotify or Apple Music is convenient, but it’s not always practical. Despite being able to download songs from your library for offline playback, your access to the music disappears if you stop paying the monthly fee. This is just one of the reasons why it’s sensible to buy and own your music.
When you purchase digital music files like MP3 or FLAC, there are various advantages to consider. The most significant benefit is that the tracks become your property, and you can transfer them onto any device of your choice. Moreover, purchasing digital music provides more income for artists to create more music. Although you have the option of buying CDs and ripping the music, it is difficult to store the physical discs. Online music stores allow for immediate downloads following a purchase, eliminating the need for physical discs. Additionally, various formats are often available, including lossy MP3s or AAC if saving space and money is a concern. Alternatively, if space is not an issue, most platforms also offer lossless FLAC or ALAC versions for a noticeable increase in quality, and they usually cost the same as MP3s.
If you are interested in purchasing either a single music track or an entire album, regardless of the genre, I have curated a list of the top websites to visit. This includes major players like iTunes and Amazon, as well as some of my personal recommendations such as Bandcamp and Qobuz. Many of these stores provide Android and iOS apps for playing the purchased music, or you can simply use the native music apps on your phone.
Apple’s iTunes offers one of the largest digital marketplaces with the best catalog of digital music. The average cost per album is $10 with a maximum bit rate of 256Kbps in AAC format. Although Apple Music is currently the company’s focus, iTunes still sets the standard for lossy music downloads. It can cater to all your music needs, except for the most obscure selections. It’s important to note that iTunes does not sell MP3s, but its files in AAC format are compatible with almost every modern player.
If you are using MacOS Catalina or later, you can access the marketplace by navigating to Music > iTunes Store. Nonetheless, if you intend to download lossless files, it is worth noting that a Music membership is required; and upon expiration of your subscription, the music cannot be retained.
Look at Apple.
Bandcamp
Best for indie music fans
Price per album: $10 on average
Maximum bit rate: 320Kbps, lossless (up to 24kHz)
Bandcamp, now a part of Epic Games, is an excellent alternative to iTunes or Amazon for those who enjoy more obscure music genres, thanks to its support of numerous indie music labels. The platform offers the option to download albums in multiple file formats (MP3, FLAC, Apple Lossless) without any extra cost and as many times as you’d like. Additionally, Bandcamp also has Bandcamp Fridays where 100% of the proceeds go directly to the artist.
Check it out on Bandcamp.
Please note that while Amazon has discontinued its “digital locker” service for storing personal MP3s, the MP3s purchased from Amazon can still be streamed and downloaded.
View on Amazon.
If you are particularly interested in high-quality downloads, specifically in 24-bit hi-res, then the Qobuz download store is the most economical option. It covers a wide range of music genres, from pop to jazz to death metal and more. The website frequently offers discounts on releases, and at the moment, Metallica’s back catalog is on sale at 40% off. Additionally, for avid audiophiles, there is a Sublime streaming package available for $300 a year, which gives a further 33% discount on downloads.
Check out Qobuz
Bleep
Perfect for dancing to music
Average album cost: $10
Maximum bit rate: 320Kbps, Lossless (up to 24kHz)
For those who enjoy dancing to a mix of indie and dance music, Bleep is the perfect choice. Additionally, the website has an impressive collection of 16-bit and 24-bit FLACs that aren’t subject to inflated prices unlike some other competing vendors.
Check out Bleep for
Further Advice on Digital Music
What is FLAC? Explaining the High-Definition MP3
Best Music Streaming Services for 2023
Apple Ends the Legacy of the Music Player with Discontinuation of iPod Touch
Bid Farewell to Spotify with These Top Alternatives
MP3 FAQs
What happened to 7Digital?
7Digital, which was previously recommended for its wide selection of MP3s and FLAC files, has not been updated for some time. Although it has been acquired by music licensing firm Songtradr, the store’s front page hasn’t changed in three years and a search for newer releases such as Bad Bunny, Lizzo, and Gorillaz comes up empty. It remains to be seen what the acquisition will bring as 7Digital was once a valuable resource for both music discovery and cheaper downloads. No representatives for 7Digital responded to the request for more information.
What is the process for purchasing MP3 songs?
Even though streaming services are becoming more popular, there are still millions of MP3s that can be legally purchased. The selection of available tracks is continuously growing and all the stores mentioned in this article allow users to download music to their computer or mobile device. Most stores also offer dedicated Android apps. However, iOS users should note that purchasing music from sources other than iTunes on their phones may not be possible due to restrictions imposed by Apple.
Where else can I purchase music besides Google Play?
In late 2020, Google Play Music ceased selling MP3s and transitioned to the streaming-only platform, YouTube Music. However, there are numerous services available that serve as great alternatives to Google Play Music. Some, like Bandcamp, even offer higher-quality lossless files for the same price. It’s worth noting that YouTube Music does include one feature from Google Play Music known as the music locker. This allows users to upload their personal music libraries.
What is the superior option: MP3 or FLAC?
MP3 is categorized as a “lossy” format because it discards audio data to shrink file sizes, even at its highest 320kbps rate. On the other hand, FLAC is classified as “lossless” as it doesn’t remove data and instead compresses music in a manner similar to a ZIP file. Consequently, a FLAC has a superior sound quality as compared to an MP3, particularly one ripped at a lower 128-kbps bit rate.
