Updated: July 10, 2020 (January 10, 2005)
Charts & IllustrationsMusic Stores Compared
MSN Music joins a crowded field of online music stores, including at least seven others that also offer songs in the Windows Media Format. This chart contains an overview of the major stores as of Dec. 2004. (Although many music stores sell complete albums for download as well as songs, album prices vary widely, and therefore are not listed in this chart.)
| Store | Songs Available | How Users Pay | Codec and Quality (Kbps) | Media Software Required1 | Restrictions | Compatible Devices | Price |
| MSN Music (Microsoft) | ~1 million | Per download | Windows Media Audio 9 (WMA9) variable bit rate (VBR), average 160 | Windows Media Player (WMP) 7.1 or later | Users may play songs on 5 PCs and burn a playlist to CD 7 times2 | Must be compatible with Windows Media 9 digital rights management (WM9 DRM); PlaysForSure devices included in this category | Song: US$0.99 and up |
| BuyMusic at Buy.com | >500,000 | Per download |
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