Difference between iCloud and iTunes
Main difference
iCloud and iTunes are two backup services designed by Apple for iPhone, iPad and iPod. In Apple’s development stage, users had to connect via USB cable with Windows or MAC to back up data using iTunes. After that, Apple made it easy for its users to launch the latest iTunes features and introduce iCloud. After understanding the chemistry of both tools, you’ll know which service is best for you.
What is iCloud?
iCloud is an online computing, cloud storage and backup service of Apple Inc. which was introduced on October 12, 2011. At present, more than 350 million Apple users enjoy this facility. The purpose of this service was to provide a platform for users to store their important data in any form, such as documents, photos, videos, apps, bookmarks, reminders, backups, notes, contacts, and iBook. Before iCloud, MobileMe was used as Apple’s cloud storage service. It is available in multiple languages for Windows 7, 8 and iOS 5 or later. Its two functions, Find My Friends and Find My iPhone are very popular, which are used to find the location of a specific friend or iPhone through iCloud. Initially,
What is iTunes?
iTunes is a mobile device management application from Apple Inc. that contains a media player and media library. It was released on January 9, 2001. The main functions of this tool are to play, download and organize your audio and video data on your desktop computer via USB cable. It is available on iPod, iPhone and iPad. With this tool, a user can purchase and download music, TV shows, videos, podcasts, movies, ringtones, application software, and audiobooks. It is available in 23 international languages for Windows XP SP3 or later. After the invention of this service, users can now save their precious data on computers or laptops.
Key differences
- In iCloud, you can automatically back up your data by simply selecting the files and data you want to upload. While in the case of iTunes, the backup is done manually by connecting the device with a personal computer and performing other functions.
- iTunes stored the data on your computer and the risk of data loss or high. While iCloud stores data in Apple Inc. cloud storage services and you can access your data at any time if Wi-Fi service is available.
- iCloud offers only 5GB of free space and if you have a large amount of data then you need to buy its premium plan. In the case of iTunes, the storage space depends on the size of your system’s hard drive. Either you have 40 GB of space or 240 GB, it’s all yours.
- iTunes data can be saved on computer until any crash or malfunction occurs on your computer, while Apple Inc. has the right to delete users’ data in iCloud if it is not backed up for more than 180 days.
- iTunes is a free proprietary tool while iCloud is a free tool.
- iTunes is available for Windows XP SP3 or later, while iCloud is available for Windows 7 and 8. That means iCloud is not available for Windows XP SP3.