Best for Apple music libraries
iTunes vs Google TV vs VLC for Android: which media app should you choose?
Choose iTunes for Apple-centered music, Google TV for finding movies and shows, or VLC for free, flexible playback of local media.
At a glance
| App | Google Play | Price | In-app purchases | Platforms | Age rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 iTunesApple | 4.7 out of 5130,000,000 ratings | Free | – | Everyone | |
 Google TVGoogle LLC | 3.9 out of 52,879,818 ratings | Free | Yes$0.01 - $999.99 per item | Teen | |
 VLC for AndroidVideolabs | 4.1 out of 51,993,853 ratings | Free | No | Everyone |
Ratings and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Listings change over time.
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How we compared them
All three apps help you play or find media, but they serve different needs. iTunes focuses on music and Apple devices, Google TV brings movie and show discovery together, and VLC for Android plays a wide range of audio and video formats.
This comparison weighs their features, platform focus, costs, and Google Play ratings to help you decide which app fits your media habits.
How we compared them
We compared each app's purpose and stated strengths and trade-offs, alongside its Google Play rating, install count, price, ads, and in-app purchases. Store figures were read on November 7, 2026.
The apps address different jobs, so the ratings are not a direct measure of the same experience: iTunes centers on music, Google TV on movie and show discovery, and VLC on playing media files.
Best formanaging music across Apple devices
iTunes
Apple
- Google Play
- 4.7 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Installs
- 10B+
- Age rating
- Everyone
iTunes is the music-focused choice here, combining a large catalog with library management, playlists, high-quality streaming, and offline listening. Its integration with Apple devices and family sharing make it a natural fit for people already using Apple's ecosystem.
The trade-off is its Apple-centered approach: it requires an Apple ID and is not available on Android. Some premium features require a subscription, and playlist customization is limited compared with a more flexible media player like VLC.
What we like
- Broad music catalog and streaming
- Apple device integration and family sharing
- Offline listening
What to know
- Apple ID required; unavailable on Android
- Premium features require a subscription
Best fordiscovering movies and shows in one place
Google TV
Google LLC
- Google Play
- 3.9 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Installs
- 10B+
- Age rating
- Teen
Google TV is the strongest match for browsing movies and shows, bringing discovery and viewing together with Google services. Multiple user profiles and support across Android and iOS make it more suited to shared, screen-spanning TV and movie use than iTunes or VLC.
Its catalog can vary by region, and some features require a subscription. It also depends on a stable internet connection, while occasional crashes have been reported; for playing a broad range of offline files, VLC is the more direct option.
What we like
- Movie and show discovery in one place
- Multiple user profiles
- Works across Android and iOS
What to know
- Availability varies by region; some features need subscriptions
- Internet dependence and reported crashes
Best forplaying varied media files without extra charges
VLC for Android
Videolabs
- Google Play
- 4.1 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Installs
- 500M+
- Age rating
- Everyone
VLC is the most flexible playback tool of the three, supporting a wide range of audio and video formats, offline files, and network streams. It is free, with no ads or in-app purchases, making it the clearest choice for users who want to play media they already have rather than browse a subscription catalog.
VLC is an Android player, not a music or movie discovery service like iTunes or Google TV. Its interface can feel dated, organizing a media library is limited, and subtitle handling or performance on older devices may be inconsistent.
What we like
- Wide audio and video format support
- Free with no ads or in-app purchases
- Offline playback and network streaming
What to know
- Limited built-in media library organization
- Dated interface and possible older-device performance issues
Which one should you pick?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which app is best for playing local video files?
VLC for Android is the strongest fit because it supports a wide range of video formats and offline playback.
Which app should I choose to discover movies and shows?
Choose Google TV for movie and show discovery, profiles, and access across Android and iOS.
Can I use iTunes on Android?
No. iTunes is not available on Android and requires an Apple ID.
Which of these apps is free with no ads or in-app purchases?
VLC for Android is free and has no ads or in-app purchases.
Reviewed compares apps independently. We don't make, own or distribute any of these apps and have no affiliation with their developers, Google or Apple. Names, icons and trademarks belong to their owners; store details and prices are shown for reference and can change.