Find the Best Download Sites with CompareTop5.com

Although there are a growing number of MP3 downloads sites on the Internet, there are still only a notable few that provide:

1. A wide choice of songs from signed and unsigned artists

2. Legal downloads with the backing of major and independent record labels.

3. And MP3 music downloads that are free from viruses and spy ware.

In music download sites top 5 MP3 downloads sites I’ve detailed those sites that I’ve found that fulfill this criteria; which supply the best selection of downloadable music, comparing them on price, choice of genres, size of their music library, ease with which you can navigate their sites to find what you want and if they allow you to download tracks to your portable music player.

1. iTunes

iTunes is one of the world’s most popular download store includes over six million songs, 100,000 free podcasts, audiobooks, music videos, short films, TV programmes and iPod games. The iTunes software is one of the best digital music media players for both PC or Mac.

Choice: iTunes has over 6 million songs to choose from, covering all genres so there’s something for all tastes.

Value for Money: At 79p for single tracks or £7.99 for most albums. You can download onto PC and Mac via the free iTunes software; however, if you want to listen to your downloaded iTunes on the move, you’ll need an iPod or iPhone.

Ease of Use: The iTunes software has a simple clean layout, straight forward navigation and easy to download your selected tracks.

Best for choice of music and other media with an easy to use website and media player software. Visit site: iTunes

2. Napster

Choice: Mostly mainstream music with about 5 million songs as well as access to live sessions, band interviews and radio stations.

Value for Money: There are 3 payment options to download music from Napster:

1. Napster Light – at 79p per track

2. For monthly subscriptions at £9.95 to download an unlimited number of songs to your PC.

3. Napster to Go - £14.95 per month, enables you to transfer unlimited downloaded music on to a compatible MP3 player (i.e. this does not include iPods) or to burn onto CD.

Bonus: Currently they also have a free 7-day trial.

Ease of Use: simple and straight forward navigation and easy to download your selected tracks.

Best for choice of music and payment options. Visit site: Napster

3. HMV

Choice: Bringing their high street stores online, it definitely is for the mainstream. They have over 3 million tracks. N.B. HMV does not currently work using Firefox browser. And currently they don’t have an option to be able to transfer your downloads onto a portable music player.

Value for Money: Either pay per track from 79p, download albums from £7.99 .Or for a monthly fee buy the ‘HMV jukebox’‘, for £5.99 and get unlimited downloads onto your PC.

Ease of Use: simple and straight forward navigation and easy to download your selected tracks.

Best for choice of mainstream music & overall cheapest.Visit site: HMV

4. Rhapsody

Choice: With over a million songs, across all genres, Rhapsody has great choice. Plus they have many radio channels and music videos. For PCs only, their downloads are not compatible with iPods.

Value for Money: There are 2 ways to download music from Rhapsody

1. For monthly subscriptions at $12.99 (approx’ £6.50) to download an unlimited number of songs to your PC.
2. Rhapsody to Go - $14.99 (approx’ £7.50) per month, enables you to transfer unlimited downloaded music on to a compatible MP3 player (i.e. this does not include iPods) or to burn onto CD.

Bonus: They also have a free option where you can listen to 25 tracks for free each month.

Ease of Use: simple and straight forward navigation and easy to download your selected tracks.

Best choice for your money and great free offer.Visit site: www.rhapsody.com

5. eMusic

Choice: eMusic has the best choice for independent music, with over 2.8 Million MP3s. These are compatible with most portable music players (including the iPod). You can download songs to unlimited number of computers and unlimited CD burning.

Value for Money: They have a monthly subscription service which works out at about 30p per track.

Bonus: They have a free 2 week trial offering free 25 MP3s, which you get to keep at the end of the trial period.

Ease of Use: Simple and straight forward navigation and easy to download your selected tracks.

Best choice of independent music.Visit site: www.emusic.com

** Don’t forget to check each of these MP3 Music Downloads site’s system requirements, site policies and terms of use to see if these MP3 Downloads are suitable for your own computer or portable device.

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