Let me admit — I despise iTunes. It’s a bloated mess that should’ve been made redundant ages ago. But Apple is insanely adamant about using it for everything from a simple file transfer to backing up my iPhone, so I just gotta stick with the damn thing.
Spotify is a digital music service that gives you access to millions of songs. Visit the Microsoft Store to download. Free Mobile App 2020 Wrapped. The iTunes Store app is just a carbon copy of the desktop version, but it functions slightly faster. It’s not leaps and bounds ahead in performance, but I did find noticeable differences in. Spotify is the world’s biggest music streaming platform by number of subscribers. Users of the service simply need to register to have access to one of the biggest-ever collections of music in history, plus podcasts, and other audio content. It operates on a freemium model. Free Spotify access comes with lower sound quality, and advertisements, and requires an internet connection.
Now, it’s been a while into Windows 10, and something that I never thought was gonna happen just did. Unbelievably, Apple took that extra trouble to release an iTunes app on the Windows Store. Wow!
But how different is it from the desktop version? Is it worth switching over to? Well, you are going to find out pretty soon, so do read on!
![Store Store](/uploads/1/3/4/1/134136618/481959494.jpg)
Download Size and Required Space
First and foremost, the download size. Well, you really shouldn’t find too much difference between the Windows Store and the desktop versions of iTunes. The former requires a 216MB download, while the latter weighs in a tad higher at 250MB.
But when it comes to required storage space, the Windows Store version took up 480MB on my hard drive, which is around 100MB more than its desktop counterpart.
Kinda surprising since it actually should’ve been the opposite, considering that Store apps usually are much more streamlined. iTunes never stops getting any weirder, right?
Seamless Migration
If you’ve already got the desktop version of iTunes installed on your PC, then getting the Store version installed is super-easy. And it’s not just about how convenient installing a Store app is either.
Whatever music or backups that you had earlier are automatically migrated to the iTunes Store app after installation, with no input — except on UAC prompts — on your part whatsoever!
And further, the desktop version is automatically removed afterward as well. I never thought it was going to be so easy, but there you go!
If you were worried about manually transferring your music and backups, forget it.
Same Ol’ User Interface
I expected a totally revamped user interface, and I was quite disappointing with what I saw. In short, it’s just a lazy port of the desktop version with no visual changes whatsoever.
But on the brighter side, there’s nothing confusing about the whole thing, since I could find each and every option in the exact same locations as they were before.
However, it would’ve been nice of Apple to show some intuitiveness for a change. It’s not as if they lack the talent.
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Read MoreHow It Functions
The iTunes Store app doesn’t just look the same as the desktop version — it also functions the same. Expect everything from playing Apple Music to syncing your iPhone to function the exact same way.
I did come across an issue where iTunes couldn't detect my iPad the first time that I connected it. However, a Windows 10 restart fixed things up and it’s been smooth sailing ever since.
So, if you were hoping for new features and functionalities, there are none.
Note: In fact, there is a slight change. Remember that annoying pop-up that prompted you to install iCloud all the time? Well, it's finally gone!Slightly Better Performance
The iTunes Store app is just a carbon copy of the desktop version, but it functions slightly faster. It’s not leaps and bounds ahead in performance, but I did find noticeable differences in speeds, especially when launching the app.
Perhaps it’s due to the fact there’s less bloat loading up alongside the application. To confirm my suspicions, I delved briefly into the Task Manager and found that extra processes such as iTunesHelper and iPod Service were no longer present. Suits me!
Automatic Updates
The usual iTunes updates are a mess. They take ages to finish, hangs up during the process, and can totally ruin your installation for no reason at all.
Not the case with the Windows Store version, where updates are automatically applied in the background as soon as they are released. And yeah, and no more stupid computer restarts to ‘apply’ updates either.
And that means you won’t find a Check for Updates option on the Help menu — in fact, it’s just about the only difference present between the desktop and Store apps that I could find.
Both versions are so similar that I had to peek into the Help menu to find that I really was using the Store app after all, and I’m sure that you’ll too!
Supports Windows 10 S
For those of you who use Windows 10 S, this is what you were waiting for all along. You can now listen to Apple Music, sync content to your iPhone, iPad, and iPod, perform backups, and restore devices just like on Windows 10. Yay!
If you were on the fence about switching to Windows 10 S simply due to its lack of support for the iTunes desktop version, then it’s time to finally do that without worrying.
In fact, I really think that it was this exact Windows 10 S restriction that prompted Apple to get off their lazy asses and finally release iTunes on the Windows Store. Just my opinion.
So, Should You Switch?
If you use Windows 10, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t switch to the iTunes Store app. Yeah, it’s pretty much the same, but it does remove major annoyances such as clunky updates procedures and unnecessary bloat out of the equation, not to mention a slightly faster user interface as well.
Also, the desktop version has a myriad of issues, and migrating to the Windows Store version may totally fix things for you. And it’s not like you need to manually transfer your music libraries and backups either!
So, what are thoughts about the Store app? Did I miss anything? Do make sure to join the discussion below.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextHow to Fix the iTunes Cannot Read the Contents of the iPhone Error (Without Resetting)Also See#itunes #windows store
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Since 2008 Spotify has grown to be one of the most popular digital audio streaming platforms with over 96 million paying subscribers today. It is undeniably one of the best music streaming services in the world with over 40 million tracks accessible from your phone, tablet or personal computer. You can play your favorite music either through Spotify Web Browser or on Spotify Desktop Client. Apart from being a favorite platform for music lovers, the 'Spotify web player vs desktop client' discussion or rather argument have loomed the internet for some time. Lots of Spotify users prefer web player to access the music library. Equally, quite a significant number of users are of the second option, the desktop client.
The fact remains that both options are entirely different. Well, this review will profoundly attempt to compare Spotify web player and desktop app using the various pro and cons. Here are the aspects that form the notable differences between Spotify desktop and web player. Scroll right down!
Spotify Web Player vs Desktop Client: Portability
It is for a fact that the current generation is obsessed with controlling and accessing very thing from their palms. At the comfort of your room or working desk, you can easily access the Spotify track library just by clicking the Spotify icon on your desktop. Alternatively, you directly browse Spotify and play songs from the web. Both ways are convenient; however, for the desktop client option, you must have a PC at your disposal.
Using a web player only requires you to have the logins. You access songs from anywhere at any time you feel like. You even borrow a friend's phone and operate your account from there. Unlike using a desktop player which requires you to carry a PC along which is inconveniencing. Basing on this perspective, Web player is more portable and available compared to a desktop client.
Spotify Web Player vs Desktop Client: Music Quality
The current generation of music lovers is susceptible to the quality of music they listen to. Most people can tell the difference in music quality when using the two option, and others will not even notice it. Usually, the Spotify web player offers a lower bitrate compare to the desktop client. For free web players, clients get 128kbps bitrate while premium users get 256kbps bitrate. On the hand, desktop client free accounts can only access up to 160kbps while paying users access double the quality, 320kbps.
This is the main reason why people prefer using desktop client over web player. Even a free account has fairly good quality music.
Spotify Web Player vs Desktop Client: Offline Listening
Considering this aspect, desktop client is more convenient. Desktop client users can easily save tracks to listen when they are offline. On the contrary, the opposite is true for web player user. Both free and paid accounts do not enjoy this feature. It has for a long time been a point of concern for Spotify users across the globe. Probably, they will consider this in the near future.
To save Spotify songs offline, you are required to sign up the premium account of Spotify. Otherwise you cannot download the track from Spotify even if you are using the desktop client. But if you are not willing to pay for the premium plan, the alternative way is using dedicated Spotify music downloader such as TunesKit Spotify Music Converter to download and convert the Spotify songs/playlists to common MP3s. In this way, no matter you are free or premium user, you can enjoy Spotify music offline on any device without limit.
- See Also: How to Download Spotify Offline without Premium
Spotify Web Player vs Desktop Client: Space
Installing Spotify software on your, PC requires that have enough storage capacity to run the software. It also tends to create log files and hence not a favorite for a computer with little storage capacity. It will definitely affect the entire performance of the PC. On the other hand, operating a web player does not require space. You just need a browser, and from there you can bookmark the Spotify website for easy access
Spotify Web Player vs Desktop Client: Hotkeys
Generally, hotkeys are paramount for any software. However, desktop clients do not have hotkeys. Hotkeys facilitate navigation movements. They are more useful when busy at work. Spotify web player provides for hotkeys; however, you will have to install the Spotify Hotkeys add-on on Firefox or Chrome browsers. Here are some Hotkeys for both browsers.
FireFox:
- Play/Pause: Ctrl + Alt + P
- Previous Track: Ctrl + Alt +
- Next Track: Ctrl + Alt +.
Spotify Download Vs Windows App
Chrome:
- Play/Pause: Alt + Shift + P
- Previous Track: Alt + Shift +
- Next Track: Alt + Shift +.
Spotify Web Player vs Desktop Client: Lyrics
![Reddit Reddit](/uploads/1/3/4/1/134136618/157935602.png)
Free Spotify App
If song lyrics are a top priority for you, then it is sorry to say that none of the options has that feature. Often, you have to download and install Musixmatch software and run it concurrently with the Spotify software. For Spotify web player users you need to install Lyrics Here by Rob W extension for both Chrome and Firefox browsers.
- See Also: Tips to Get Lyrics on Spotify How to Stream Apple Music Web Player without Subscription
The Final Words: Which Is Better
With regard to the above differences between Spotify desktop and web player, I can comfortably recommend Spotify web player considering the portability, space saving, and availability. You do not have to carry your PC everywhere you go to listen to your favorite tracks on Spotify. What do you think? Give me your comment right here.
Download Spotify Desktop App
Adam Gorden is an experienced writer of TunesKit who is obsessed about tech, movie and software.