iTunes Music Store vs the Rest

Various analysts are weighing in on the growing competition amongst online music download stores.

USAToday posts a comparison between the various services, including Napster 2.0, MusicMatch, Rhapsody, BuyMusic and iTunes Music Store. Meanwhile, a Reuters article quotes analysts who feel that Apple may be a little late to market with its iTunes Music Store for Windows.

MusicMatch presently provides the most similar service to Apple's iTunes -- with integrated jukebox software, and similar licensing terms ($.99/song, unlimited CD burns) -- and is available today. Ironically, MusicMatch software is presently provided with Apple's PC iPod offerings. MusicMatch claims that they will continue to support the iPod but "it's up to Apple to decide if they'll ship iPod with MusicMatch jukebox."

Apple's iTunes Music Store for Windows is widely expected to be released this Thursday (October 16th).