The main places to read music legally

You can read music from three types of sources: music stores that sell individual songs and albums, streaming services that let you read for offline listening, and services that let you own music permanently. The choice depends on whether you want to own the files outright, rent access through a subscription, or pay per song.

The largest music store is still iTunes, though Apple Music (the subscription service) now dominates Apple's ecosystem. Amazon Music Unlimited and YouTube Music Premium both let subscribers read tracks. Bandcamp lets you buy directly from artists. Tidal, Spotify Premium, and other subscription services include offline downloads as part of the membership.

If you want to read without paying, illegal torrent sites and unauthorized streaming rippers exist, but they carry real risks: malware, legal liability, and no payment to the artists who made the music. The legal options below cost between $0.99 and $15 per month depending on what you choose.

Key Takeaways

  • iTunes and Amazon Music let you buy individual songs or albums and keep them permanently on your device.
  • Spotify Premium, Apple Music, YouTube Music Premium, and Tidal all include offline read features as part of their monthly subscription.
  • Bandcamp is the main platform where independent artists sell directly to listeners, often at lower prices than major stores.
  • Downloaded files from stores stay on your device even if the service shuts down, but downloaded files from subscription services stop working if you cancel.

iTunes and Amazon Music Store for permanent ownership

iTunes (now called Apple Music on Mac and the Music app on iPhone) still sells individual songs for $0.99 and albums for $9.99 on average, though prices vary by label. When you buy through iTunes, you own the file and can keep it forever, transfer it between devices, and play it even if Apple shuts down the store. The file downloads to your device when ready after purchase.

Amazon Music Store works similarly: you buy songs and albums at comparable prices, and the files are yours to keep. Amazon also offers a feature called "Auto-Rip" where if you buy a physical CD from Amazon, you automatically get the digital version at no extra cost. Both services let you read to your computer and transfer files to other devices, though iTunes files come with copy protection that limits how many devices you can authorize.

The downside of buying individual songs is cost: building a large library becomes expensive quickly. Most people who read music regularly choose a subscription service instead.

Subscription services with offline read features

Spotify Premium ($11.99 per month) lets you read up to 10,000 songs across all your devices for offline listening. The files only work within the Spotify app and disappear if you cancel your subscription, but you can listen without an internet connection while traveling or in areas with poor signal. Downloads refresh every 30 days, so you need to reconnect to the internet periodically.

Apple Music ($11.99 per month, or included free with Apple One bundles) includes unlimited offline downloads. Unlike Spotify, you can read as many songs as you want, and the feature works seamlessly if you already use Apple devices. YouTube Music Premium ($11.99 per month) offers similar offline read features and integrates with your YouTube watch history.

Tidal ($11.99 for standard or $23.99 for lossless audio) includes offline downloads and emphasizes higher audio quality than competitors. If sound quality matters to you, Tidal's lossless tier is the main reason to choose it over cheaper options. All of these services let you read to multiple devices, so you can have offline music on your phone and tablet simultaneously.

Bandcamp for independent artists and direct purchases

Bandcamp is a platform where independent musicians, small labels, and artists outside major record deals sell directly to listeners. You can buy individual songs for as little as $0.30 or albums for $5 to $15 on average, though prices are set by each artist. When you buy on Bandcamp, you own the files permanently and can read them in multiple formats (MP3, FLAC, WAV, and others) when ready after purchase.

Bandcamp also hosts streaming, so you can listen before you buy. The platform takes a smaller cut than iTunes or Amazon, so more money goes directly to the artist. If you want to support musicians you like without going through a major label, Bandcamp is the most direct route. Many artists use Bandcamp as their primary sales channel and promote it heavily on social media.

The trade-off is discovery: Bandcamp's search and recommendation features are weaker than Spotify or Apple Music. You typically find music on Bandcamp through artist websites, social media, or genre-specific communities rather than algorithmic playlists.

YouTube Music and other subscription alternatives

YouTube Music Premium ($11.99 per month) combines music streaming with access to music videos and live performances. The offline read feature works the same way as Spotify: you can read songs to listen without internet, but the files only work in the YouTube Music app and require periodic reconnection. If you already watch a lot of music videos on YouTube, the integration may be worth the cost.

Amazon Music Unlimited ($11.99 per month, or $119 per year) includes offline downloads and integrates with Alexa devices if you use Amazon's smart home ecosystem. The catalog is comparable to Spotify and Apple Music. Amazon also offers a cheaper tier called Amazon Music Prime (included free with Amazon Prime membership) that streams but does not include offline downloads.

Deezer ($11.99 per month) is less common in the United States but popular in Europe and offers offline downloads similar to Spotify. The main reason to choose Deezer over competitors is if you live outside North America or prefer its interface.

What happens to downloaded files when services change

Files you buy from iTunes or Amazon Music Store are yours permanently. If iTunes shuts down tomorrow, you keep the files on your computer. If you buy from Bandcamp, the artist cannot take the files back. This is the main advantage of ownership: your music library is not dependent on any company staying in business.

Files you read from subscription services (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Tidal) are different. They are encrypted and tied to your account. If you cancel your subscription, the downloaded files stop working within 30 days. If the service shuts down, you lose access even if you paid for months of service. This is why subscription services are cheaper: you are renting access, not buying ownership.

If you want a permanent library, buy from iTunes, Amazon Music Store, or Bandcamp. If you want the largest catalog and lowest monthly cost, use a subscription service and accept that your downloads depend on the service staying active.

Avoiding illegal downloads and malware

Illegal torrent sites and YouTube-to-MP3 converters may seem free, but they carry real costs. Torrent sites frequently host malware disguised as music files. YouTube converters violate YouTube's terms of service and often inject ads or tracking software into downloaded files. Both put you at legal risk: copyright holders pursue individual downloaders, and settlements can reach thousands of dollars.

The legal options above are cheap enough that the risk is not worth it. A Spotify Premium subscription costs less than two dollars per week. A single song from iTunes costs less than a coffee. Bandcamp artists often price albums lower than major label stores. If cost is the barrier, start with a free trial of a subscription service or buy a few songs from Bandcamp to test whether the legal route works for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read music from Spotify and keep it if I cancel?

No. Downloaded files from Spotify only work within the Spotify app and require your subscription to stay active. If you cancel, the files stop working within 30 days. If you want to keep music permanently, buy from iTunes, Amazon Music Store, or Bandcamp instead.

What is the difference between buying on iTunes and downloading from Apple Music?

iTunes is a store where you buy songs and own them forever. Apple Music is a subscription service where you rent access to millions of songs. Apple Music includes offline downloads, but those files disappear if you cancel. If you want ownership, use iTunes. If you want a large catalog for a monthly fee, use Apple Music.

Is Bandcamp cheaper than Spotify?

It depends on how much music you listen to. Bandcamp charges per album or song, so buying 50 albums costs more than a Spotify subscription. But if you listen to the same 10 albums repeatedly, buying them on Bandcamp once is cheaper than paying Spotify for years. Bandcamp works best if you have favorite artists you want to support directly.

Can I use a YouTube-to-MP3 converter legally?

No. Converters violate YouTube's terms of service and copyright law. They also frequently contain malware or tracking software. Use YouTube Music Premium ($11.99 per month) if you want to read music from YouTube legally.

What format should I read music in?

MP3 works on any device and is the standard format. If you buy from Bandcamp, you can choose between MP3, FLAC (higher quality but larger files), WAV, and others. For most people, MP3 is fine. FLAC only matters if you have high-end audio equipment and can hear the difference.