iTunes used to be the place where iPhone and iPod users synced, updated, backed up their music and files across devices, and did more. But with macOS Catalina, Apple finally declared the end of life for iTunes on the Mac and replaced it with Music, Podcasts and Apple TV – a dedicated app for each of iTunes' main applications. As regardsmanage your iPhone, iPad and iPod you can now use the Finder to make it all easy. But if you loved using iTunes on your Mac and are looking for apps like iTunes, then here are the 17 best iTunes alternatives that you can use in 2022.
Remark:iTunes is still available atWindows 11. However, we're not sure how long Apple will continue to support iTunes on Windows PCs as well.
Best iTunes Alternatives You Should Be Using in 2022
If you're trying to replace multitasking software like iTunes, you'll have to be a little more picky. We have added a section here where you can determine what kind of iTunes alternatives you need. If you want to skip this, use the table of contents below to go straight to our app list.
Table of contents
Which iTunes Alternatives Should You Choose?
While I can't predict the lifespan of iTunes for Windows, I can certainly assure you that the iPhone/iPad manager media library will continue to exist at least until Apple finds a better replacement for it on Windows.
But don't expect Apple to make a ton of improvements to the media library, as the tech giant is just starting to throttle it and may keep the software alive until it becomes completely irrelevant - in typical Apple fashion.
While the Finder manages the iPhone quite well, Apple's versatile file manager still lacks quite a few essential features, such as the ability to let users selectively restore data. The recently launched Music and Apple TV apps are too advanced to let you manage all your songs and videos with the flexibility you want.
All I'm trying to emphasize here is that the need for a complete iTunes alternative has never been more important, whether you're using macOS Catalina, Mojave, Monterey, or Windows 11.
Getting back to the question of which iTunes-like software might be right for you, look at your needs, e.g. movie/broadcast management, music management or iPhone/iPad management and then choose the tool that suits your needs. That said, let's get started, shall we?
1. WALTR PRO
My favorite iTunes replacement software is WALTR PRO. Although this software has a significant price, it is very useful and powerful. You can also use the license for other Softorino apps. With the WALTR PRO I can connect my iPhone via cables or via WiFi. AreWiFi connectionis just as fast as the original AirDrop and transfers music and photos in seconds.
Even the large video files only take a few minutes to transfer from my Mac to my iPhone. I also love that WALTR PRO supports all kinds of files that we usually transfer. Moreover, it also converts the file format to Apple considerations. For example, if you have an MKV file, WALTR PRO will automatically convert it to Apple supported file formats during transfer. If it ismusic, videos, PDFs, ePub or audiobooks, WALTR PRO automatically recognizes the files we send, converts and pushes them to native Apple apps.
So when I upload a video, I find it in the Videos app. That means I don't have to spend anythingany third party softwareto listen to my songs or watch videos. Each file transferred via WALTR PRO is treated as its own file. This feature alone makes the WALTR PRO worth its price.
If you want to easily transfer files between your desktop and iOS devices, WALTR PRO is the software you should get as it has all the basics covered to be a remarkable alternative to iTunes. You can get the newer version at a discounted price if you are already using WALTR 2.Benefit Cons Clean user interface Relatively expensive File transfer is fast and secure Has a limited trial period Supports a variety of file types WiFi connection could be faster Drag and drop to convert files instantly Compatible with multiple Apple devices
Supported platforms:Windows, macOS
To retrieve: WALTR PRO(Free trial, $35.00 per year, $300 one-time payment)
2. MusicBee
If you don't want to manage files and just want a player that can help you manage and listen to your music, MusicBee is one of the best software out there.MusicBee allows you to easily manage, find and play music files on your computer for free. You can easily sync your music between your Windows PC, Android and iOS devices.
Not only that, but MusicBee also works with podcasts,webradiostations, and even brings SoundCloud integration. Listening to music on MusicBee is fun because it not only offers a very simple and intuitive user interface, but also offers numerous features that enhance your listening experience.
I especially love that one15-bands equalizerwhich allows me to adjust the settings for my test. Moreover, the automatic tagging feature helps you manage your music files categorically. Other features of this app include logarithmic volume scaling, gapless playback, WinAmp plugin support, theme support, multiple skins, and more.Benefit Cons 15-bands equalizer The user interface looks boring Webradiostations UI/UX can be less intimidating SoundCloud integration Recurring errors are reported Logarithmic volume scaling
Supported platforms:ramen
To retrieve: MusicBee(Free)
3. Vox: MP3 and FLAC music player
If you are a Mac user and looking for a simple yetmusic player with many featuresto replace Apple Music, check out Vox Media Player. One of the best things about this app is its support for multiple audio formats. Moreover, the application is also available for iPhone and Windows OS.
The app not only supports the popular media format including MP3 and MP4, but also supports other formats includingFLAC, CUE, APE in M4Aamong other things.
I also love that Vox supports both melodies and personal music libraries. Not only that, but the app also supports music streaming via SoundCloud, YouTube and more30000+ internetradiostations.
Other features of the app include uninterrupted playback, enhanced stereo sound, bass sound engine, a cloud storage solution for all your music, and more. Putting everything into perspective, Vox Media Player is a top-notch iTunes alternative for Mac.Benefit Cons Supports multiple file formats Exporting playlists seems a bit slow Supports both melodies and a personal music library Subscription-based pricing 30000+ internetradiostations Supports streaming music via SoundCloud, YouTube
Supported platforms:macOS, iOS, Windows
To retrieve:(Free$4.99/month)
4. WinX MediaTrans
If you are a Windows user and looking for a real iTunes alternative that will help youeasily transfer music, photos, videos,and other files between your computer and iPhones and iPads, this is the software for you. The app offers features such as automatic photo backup, music management with two-way music transfer, video transfer, book organizer, ringtone maker and more.
One of my favorite features of this app is that I canencrypt my photo and video library. The app is also very easy to use and hassle-free. Just install it, connect your phone and you're good to go.
Moreover, the app does not even require you to install iTunes on your system and works independently. The software can also convert some of your files while transferring to appropriate Apple formats. In addition, you also benefit from "Remove DRM" which allows you to remove restrictive licenses on digital media. If you need to manage media and files between your PC and iPhone, this is the app to use as it has all the essential features to be considered a good iTunes alternative for Windows.
Remark:The same company also makes this tool for macOS operating systems. It's called MacX MediaTrans and you can download itfrom here.Benefit Cons Fast file transfer between computer and iPhone/iPad The music organization can do better Encrypt my photo and video library Affordable plans would be appreciated Nice user interface Only available for Windows
Supported platforms:ramen
To retrieve:(Free trial, $39.95 for a lifetime license)
5. DearMob iPhone-manager
DearMob iPhone Manager is an all-in-one tool that allows you to easily manage media and music,transfer files between your computer and iOS devices, create automatic backups and encrypt your data for total protection. Basically, anything you can do with iTunes, you can do with DearMob.
Although the software is somehow feature-rich, it has kept the user experience quite simple and intuitive. I found it quite easy to use and never had any problems with its features. My favorite feature of the app is the way I can manage my photos.
I can't do that alonetransfer images between devices, which is super fast by the way, it also allows me to manage and delete photos, manage albums and view and convert HEIC photos.
It also brings onefeature-rich sound controlservice that makes it very easy to manage your number. Moreover, you can use your iPhone as a flash drive. It may not look new to Android users. But for iPhone users, saving any file on your phone is a great feature. Finally, it's available for Windows and macOS operating systems, so no matter which operating system you use, you're ready to get started.
| Benefit | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easily transfer photos between devices | Image transfer seems slow |
| Ability to encrypt data for extra protection | Relatively expensive |
| Feature-rich sound control | |
| Convert HEIC images |
Supported platforms:Windows, macOS
To retrieve:(Free trial, $39.95 for two licenses)
6. Music
Musique is a music player for your Mac that doesn't suck. Not only does the app bring aclean and easy to use user interfacebut it is also very agile and feature-rich. My favorite feature of the app is the built-in lyric finder, which extracts the lyrics of any song you play.
I also like the way this apporganizes my music by artists and albumsin a beautiful tile mosaic appearance. I just like seeing the photos of my favorite artists and the album covers. What's unique about this app is that it preserves the folder structure of your collection and displays your music exactly as you organize it. Initially, you can download the free trial version of the app. Later, you'll have to pay $12 once the 20-day free trial is over.
If you're looking for a simple and powerful music player to replace iTunes, this is the one to buy, and since it's free, there's no reason why you shouldn't give it a try.
Remark:If you're looking for more options, check out our article aboutbest music players for macby clicking on the link.Benefit Cons Nice user interface Texts may not be extracted consistently Organizes music by artists and albums Cannot open individual music files outside the scanned music folder Powerful music player Does not support all common formats Built-in text finder
Supported platforms:Windows, macOS, Linux
To retrieve:(Free)
7. Swiss
Another music player for Mac that I love is Swinsian. The app offers great features likewidescreen support, folder view, advanced tag editing, duplicate finder, smart playlist support and more. The app is insanely fast and never lags no matter how big your library is. It also offers a highly customizable interface that can be tailored to your needs. In addition, the automatic change of the sample rate ensures that you get the highest possible quality from your music files.
I also love that the app lets you easily control music playback via the mini window or widget. If you're switching from iTunes, you'll appreciate this tooThis allows you to import your entire music libraryfrom iTunes with a single click. Overall, I like this software and recommend it to anyone looking for a simple music player as an iTunes alternative.
| Benefit | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large format support | Requires a certain learning curve in the beginning |
| Advanced tag editing | |
| Cards like | |
| Option to import the entire music library |
Supported platforms:macOS
To retrieve:(Free trial, 24,95 USD)
8. Dr.fone
iTunes had more uses than playing music, such ascreating backup copies, permanently deleting dataon your iPhone, and more, Dr.fone is the solution you need. The app offers tons of features including the ability to backup, restore your iPhone, recover deleted data from your iPhone,transfer files, messagesand contacts between your computer and iPhone, securely deleting data and more.
One of my favorite features of this app isability to run repair scripts. The app easily fixes common errors and iOS issues, such as "stuck on startup", "recovery mode looping" and more. While thisdatagendannelsessoftwarecosts a pretty penny, it is definitely useful for users who like to experiment with their iPhones.
While all of these great features are helpful, Dr. Fone be better at work. Users have repeatedly mentioned bugs and unstable app processes. Moreover, you cannot edit the music playlist, which is a shame. But the bugs are unusual and the developers will definitely take care of them. That's what dr. fone give it a try if you are looking for a good iTunes alternative for data transfer and backup.
| Benefit | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easily backup your iPhone | Lack of better file management tools |
| Restore your device | Expensive plans |
| Recover deleted data | Unstable application |
| Ability to run repair scripts |
Supported platforms:macOS, Windows
To retrieve:(Free trial, $99.95/$139.95/year)
9. Fidelity
If you love your music and want to listen to ithighest possible quality, Fidelia is the app for you. For those who have never heard of this app, Fidelia is basically a high-definition audio player for Mac. The app offers support for all modern audio file formats and an elegant interface that focuses solely on music.
The app gives users the power and freedom to organize, customize and enjoy their digital music collection with the highest possible reliability. It also brings onefull set of audio tools including equalizers, compressors, CanOpener headphone models, plug-in support for 64-bit audio devices and more. Unlike iTunes, which just gets the job done, Fidelia brings a player made for audiophiles.Benefit Cons This allows you to listen to music in top quality The library window looks awkward Support for all modern audio file formats The user interface could be more modern Lydafspiller in high resolution Plug-in support for 64-bit audio devices
Supported platforms:macOS
To retrieve:(29,99 USD)
10. PodTrans
We end this list with a piece of software thatIt allows you to easily transfer music between your desktop computer and iPod. The app is very easy to use, allowing users to transfer music with just a few clicks. You don't even need to have iTunes installed for this to work.
If you have newer iPods with a beautiful retina display, you'll be happy to know that toosupports processing other media filesincluding videos, TV shows, movies, iTunes U and more. The app is a small and smart application and very useful for iPod owners. Since it is available for free, it is one of the best free iTunes alternatives you can get for your Mac and Windows.Benefit Cons Lighter and smarter interface Lacks powerful tools to manage videos and TV shows Transferring music between computer and iPod is a piece of cake Can be a bit buggy at times Works independently Can also manage other file types such as videos and TV shows
Supported platforms:macOS, Windows
To retrieve:(Free)
11. Telephone rescue
At times when you accidentally delete important data or lose sensitive files due to complex issues like black screen of death, a full-fledged data recovery software package like PhoneRescue can come into play.
What gives this iMobies offering an edge over many other rivals, including iTunes, is the ability to do thatrecover 31 types of filesincluding photos, videos, songs, documents and more. So it doesn't matter what the situation is and what kind of files have fallen victim to the unexpected problems you may encounterretrieve them without pain.
One of my favorite features of this software is its simple user interface that ensures you don't have to spend a lot of time getting to grips with the data recovery tools. This is possible based on your needsselect the missing data and retrieve it selectivelywith a few clicks. In some cases, such as with a rooted device, the app can also recover passwords for you. Overall, PhoneRescue is a great iTunes replacement software to recover lost data.Benefit Cons Faster user interface Doesn't have much to offer in terms of file organization Complete data recovery software Doesn't have a dedicated mobile app Recover 31 types of files Multi-platform support
Supported platforms:macOS, Windows,Android
To retrieve:(Free download, $69.99/lifetime license)
12. Gihosoft iManager
Gihosoft iManager claims to be the ultimate iPhone file manager and has what it takes to be a useful iTunes alternative for both macOS and Windows. With this tool available you can do thatmanage and transfer your music, photos, videos,and documents from the computer to the iPhone/iPad or vice versa.
Not only that, Gihosoft also works quite well when it comes to backing up files so you can keep your data safe and restore it when needed. To ensure that your personal data has an extra layer of protection, Gihosoft iManager allows you toencrypt your datasuch as iTunes.
Better yet, it also allows you to archive old backups, freeing up a lot of valuable space on your computer. All together; Gihosoft iManager is a versatile iTunes replacement for Windows and macOS.Benefit Cons Data transfer is fast The user interface feels sluggish Encrypt your data No mobile version available Option to archive old backups
Supported platforms:macOS, Windows
To retrieve:(Free trial35 USD/computer)
13. MediaMonkey
I saved "MediaMonkey" specifically for people whomanage a large music and video library.And if you are one of them, this might just be the iTunes alternative you have been waiting for.
Metsupport for multiple file formatsincluding MP3, AAC (M4A), OGG, WMA, FLAC, ALAC, MPC, WAV, CDA, AVI, MP4, OGV, MPEG, WMV, M3U and PLS, this iTunes rival is fully equipped to manage audio/video files . This app is an excellent media management tool, tag manager and CD ripper/encoder. Moreover, it can handle more than 100,000 files without any problem. Unlike Apple's offering, it has a relatively clean interface that allows for hassle-free navigation.
One of my top picks from this software is its ability to automatically identify movies and songs that are missing important information. Therefore it is quite easy tofix duplicate itemsand even sort songs whose tags aren't synced. One of the best features it offers is the ability to play movies and videos through TVs, stereos and more. Letting you choose personal skins also adds a nice feature. In short, MediaMonkey is a versatile and the best iTunes replacement for Android and Windows if you have a lot of audio/video files to manage.Benefit Cons Excellent for managing large music and video libraries Seems to stutter a bit while transferring large files Very good at repairing duplicate items User interface could be better Support for various file formats
Supported platforms:ramen,Android
To retrieve:Free, $ 49,95/lifetime license
14. Kopietrans
If I were to rank iTunes alternatives solely based on music management efficiency, CopyTrans would be at the top, along with the best in the industry. Yes, you heard that right. Unlike iTunes, CopyTransoffers complete customizationso you can customize your music library the way you want.
For example, you can easily edit sports titles, album titles, music genre and artwork. Moreover, the software allows you to do just thatcustomize meta tags, ratings and even song lyricsso your music library looks perfectly synchronized. No matter how carefully you manage your songs, duplicate songs can end up in your library over time.
With CopyTrans you can track all duplicate songs and remove them quickly. Long story short: CopyTrans is your all-in-one iTunes replacement for managing music.Benefit Cons Make music management dead simple Justifies a learning curve for beginners Ability to refine meta tags and ratings It is not possible to import data from iPhone Easy to track duplicate numbers Compatible with virtually any iOS device
Supported platforms:ramen
To retrieve: Free trial, $ 29,99/vol packed
15. Clementine
If you want an iTunes replacement that will help you organize your music library without the complexity, try Clementine.Inspired by Amarok 1.4This multi-platform music player has a fairly intuitive interface.
This way you can keep all your music optimally organized, entirely to your taste. Moreover, this open source software allows you to do that toolisten to internet radiovanmultiple streaming servicesIncludes Spotify, Grooveshark, Soundcloud, Icecast, SomaFM, Magnatune, Jamendo and more.
If you like to stay up to date with cool radio shows, this feature might convince you right away. Unlike iTunes, Clementine isintegrated with multiple cloud servicesincluding Box, Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive.
This way you can play songs that you have uploaded to these cloud services. Moreover, this free iTunes alternative allows you to do just thattranscode music to multiple formatssuch as MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Ogg Speex, FLAC or AAC, which is another plus from a user experience perspective.Benefit Cons Organize your music library with ease Lacks tools for advanced music customization Integrated with multiple cloud services Transcode music to multiple formats Ability to listen to Internet radio
Supported platforms:Windows, macOS en Linux
To retrieve: Free
16. Amarok
There are several reasons why Amarok is considered a notable iTunes replacement. For starters, the software comes with a number of tools to improve music playback and management. Thanks tointegration of web servicesit gives you better control over your music.
With the last.fm integration you can listen tolast.fim-radio. In addition, you can remotely connect to the Ampache music server and search and play media files.
Notably, there is also an option to download and upload MP3 songs. Moreover, you can create playlists that update automatically for hassle-free management.Benefit Cons A powerful music player The interface looks old-fashioned Web services integration last.fm integration Comes with a variety of music management tools
Supported platforms:Windows, Linux
To retrieve: Free
17. TunesGo
TunesGo is a brand new iTunes alternative that you can use to transfer and backup your important data such as photos, music, contacts and more. Especially thatworks independentlyand requires no help from iTunes.
The software makes the process of transferring songs from computer to iOS device or vice versa easy. Besides, you can tooCreate iPhone ringtone, remove duplicate songs and even fix music tags.
One of my favorite features of TunesGo is the ability to backup the entire photo library andsort images with custom filters. As someone who deals with a huge collection of photos, I find the photo management tool very useful. Plus, it allows me to batch delete multiple photos for better control.
Because people who like animated GIFs will find the option to do socreate GIFs from static imagesor convert any video to GIFs super conveniently. Considering its smooth file transfer and better file management, TunesGo deserves to be rated as one of the best iTunes alternatives.
| Benefit | Cons |
|---|---|
| An easy way to transfer files | Sometimes it is not possible to accurately align music tags |
| Easily removes duplicate numbers | No wireless connection |
| Fix music tags | |
| Sort images with custom filters | |
| Ability to create GIFs from images or video |
Supported platforms:Windows, Linux
To retrieve: Free trial($39,95)
Frequently Asked Questionsabout iTunes alternatives
Question What is a good replacement for iTunes?
There are several apps such as WALTR, MusicBee and Vox Media Player that are considered very good replacements for iTunes.
Question What is the best iTunes alternative for Windows?
Considering its fast and efficient file management, WinX MediaTrans can be the best iTunes alternative for Windows. Although WALTR and MusicBee are also good competitors in the file management field.
Question Can I use something other than iTunes for my iPhone?
Yes, you can use software like MacX/WinX MediaTrans, MusicBee and Vox Media Player to manage your iPhone without iTunes.
Q. Will iTunes be discontinued?
Yes, Apple has already shut down iTunes on Mac. While the company hasn't killed off iTunes on Windows yet, the introduction of a more effective alternative on Windows doesn't seem far away.
Q. Can I no longer purchase songs on iTunes?
You can still buy songs and movies on iTunes. The software continues to work normally on Windows and macOS Mojave or earlier.
Q. What is the best music library software?
You can use Vox Media Player because it supports a variety of file formats and supports both iTunes and a personal music library, along with more than 30,000 Internet radio stations.
Question Is MusicBee better than iTunes?
MusicBee is a good alternative to iTunes and you can use it to manage files, transfer and listen to music.
Does iTunes Disappear on Windows?
Apple has not yet officially discontinued iTunes on Windows. However, since the company has already shut down the macOS version of iTunes, we can expect it to shut down the Windows version in the future.
Question How do I manage iTunes library?
You can use apps like Vox Player and MediaMonkey to manage your iTunes library.
Question What is Apple's replacement for iTunes?
With the launch of macOS Catalina, Apple introduced dedicated apps, namely Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Podcasts and Apple Books, to replicate the features of iTunes.
Question How can I put music on my iPhone without using iTunes?
You can use apps like WinX MediaTrans and MusicBee to transfer music to iPhone without depending on iTunes. Now that Apple has discontinued iTunes, these apps also perform better than the individual apps.
Use these iTunes alternatives to make your life easier
That concludes our list of the best iTunes alternatives that you can use to manage music and media on your iPhone and iPad. I tried to include apps that can perform all the actions you currently perform with iTunes. Whether you need something to just play music or something that can completely replace iTunes for you, you'll find an app here. Check out the list and let us know your favorite iTunes alternatives.
