# iTunes Store vs Apple TV

The clearest difference is ads: iTunes Store at none against Apple TV's shown. Apple TV's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for iTunes Store against 4.8 for Apple TV. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.1M and 1.9M respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 51% of iTunes Store's written reviews are positive against 43% of Apple TV's.

iTunes Store ships an update every 5 months, Apple TV every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | iTunes Store | Apple TV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.1M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/itunes-store/id915061235/reviews)** | [4.8 (1.9M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/apple-tv/id1174078549/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.1M** | 1.9M |
| Positive reviews | **50.8% of reviews** | 43.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 8 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 10.2 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Apple](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) | [Apple](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) |

## What reviewers say

### iTunes Store

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/itunes-store/id915061235)

Access a vast library of music, from new releases to indie hits and classics across all genres. Purchase and download songs, albums, and ringtones instantly on any device, with the ability to re-download past purchases.

**Highlights:** Explore 100+ million DRM-free songs, Browse by artist, album, genre, Search and select ringtones, Pre-order new releases, Download and watch anywhere, Re-download past purchases

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💿 Ability to purchase and own music
- 🎶 Great selection of music
- 🎨 Variety of music genres
- 🔍 Convenient music discovery
- 🔊 High-quality audio

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Difficult music discovery and search
- 🗂️ Fragmented music library management
- 🔒 Restricted access to purchased content
- 💰 Expensive song/album pricing
- 🔄 Disappearing purchased content

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent syncing of purchased content
- Unreliable download and playback of songs
- Buggy user interface and navigation

**Requested features**

- Add sorting and filtering options for albums
- Implement a wishlist or bookmarking feature
- Provide more control over music playback
- Improve integration with other Apple services
- Offer more affordable pricing options


### Apple TV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/apple-tv/id1174078549)

This app is a central hub for exclusive original series, movies, and live sports like Formula 1 and MLB. It also aggregates content from your favorite streaming services, allowing you to buy or rent titles and discover new shows.

**Highlights:** Exclusive Apple Originals, Live Formula 1 & MLB, Buy or rent movies, Aggregate streaming services, Personalized recommendations, Continue Watching feature

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Decent quality viewing experience
- 👍 Impressive 4K and audio quality
- 🤩 Fantastic original content

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable app
- 🤯 Confusing and unintuitive interface
- 💰 Misleading pricing and pay-to-watch content
- 🤔 Lack of user-friendly features
- 😡 Terrible customer support

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Playback issues and random freezes
- Incorrect episode/content display
- Syncing problems across devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to save/bookmark content for later
- Improved content organization and navigation
- Sync playback progress across devices
- Chromecast/casting support
- User profiles and personalized recommendations


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iTunes Store free?

iTunes Store is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Apple TV free?

Apple TV is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, iTunes Store or Apple TV?

iTunes Store is rated higher. iTunes Store averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.1M ratings, while Apple TV averages 4.8 from 1.9M ratings.

### Do iTunes Store or Apple TV have ads?

Apple TV shows ads; iTunes Store does not.

### Which is updated more often, iTunes Store or Apple TV?

iTunes Store ships an update every 5 months, and Apple TV every 2 months. Most recently, iTunes Store was updated on October 23, 2026 and Apple TV on October 23, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*