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 to discover films and shows across services, or VLC for Android for free playback of files in many formats.
At a glance
| App | Google Play | Price | In-app purchases | Platforms | Age rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iTunesApple | 4.7 out of 5130,000,000 ratings | Free | – | Android, iOS | Everyone |
 Google TVGoogle LLC | 3.9 out of 52,879,818 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.01 - $999.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Teen |
 VLC for AndroidVideolabs | 4.1 out of 51,993,853 ratings | Free | No | Android | Everyone |
Ratings, prices and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Listings change over time.
How we compared them
All three apps handle media, but they solve different problems. iTunes focuses on music and library management, Google TV brings movie and TV discovery together, and VLC for Android plays local and network media across a wide range of formats.
This comparison looks at their features, trade-offs, and Google Play figures to help you choose the right fit for the way you watch or listen.
How we compared them
We compared the apps’ stated uses and strengths, along with their Google Play ratings, install counts, prices, ad status, and in-app purchase information where available. Store figures were read on November 7, 2026.
The comparison also considers practical differences: Apple ecosystem integration for iTunes, service discovery for Google TV, and format support for VLC. It does not treat ratings or install counts as direct measures of playback quality.
iTunes
Apple
4.7 out of 5 on Google Play
Best formusic listeners who use Apple devices
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 130,000,000
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
iTunes is the clearest choice here for organizing a music library and accessing a broad music catalog. Its Apple-device integration and offline playback give it an advantage over Google TV’s focus on films and shows and VLC’s role as a general-purpose player.
That focus comes with limits: iTunes is less suited to people outside the Apple ecosystem, and some features require a subscription. Its interface can also take time to learn, while Google TV is more centered on finding video content and VLC is a free, flexible option for personal media.
What we like
- Apple-device integration for music and library management
- Broad music catalog and offline playback
- High-quality audio streaming
What to know
- Less suitable outside the Apple ecosystem
- Some features require a subscription
Google TV
Google LLC
3.9 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forviewers who want to discover films and shows across services
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 2,879,818
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Teen
Google TV is the strongest option for finding movies and shows across supported streaming services. Personalized recommendations, voice control with Google Assistant, and support for 4K HDR streaming make it more oriented to streaming discovery than iTunes or VLC.
It is not a universal free library of shows: some services require subscriptions, and a stable internet connection is important. Offline viewing is limited, and its Google Play rating is lower than iTunes’ in this comparison.
What we like
- Movie and show discovery across streaming services
- Personalized recommendations and Google Assistant voice control
- Supports 4K HDR streaming
What to know
- Many services require separate subscriptions
- Limited offline viewing and internet dependence
VLC for Android
Videolabs
4.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forpeople who play personal media in many formats
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 1,993,853
- Platforms
- Android
- Age rating
- Everyone
VLC for Android is the most flexible pick for playing personal audio and video files: it supports a wide range of formats and can stream from network sources. It is free, open source, and ad-free, unlike the subscription-centered services that may be involved with iTunes or Google TV.
VLC is a player rather than a music or video discovery service, so it does not replace a streaming catalog or Google TV’s cross-service recommendations. New users may find its interface less intuitive, and its advanced editing options are limited.
What we like
- Plays a wide range of audio and video formats
- Free, open-source, and ad-free
- Supports streaming from network sources
What to know
- Less focused on discovering subscription content
- Interface can be confusing for new users
Which one should you pick?
Best for streaming discovery
Google TV
Best for local media playback
VLC for Android
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app is best for playing local video files?
VLC for Android is the strongest choice for local files because it supports a wide range of video and audio formats.
Which app is best for discovering movies and TV shows?
Google TV is designed to help you discover movies and shows across supported streaming services, with personalized recommendations.
Which app is best for listening to music offline?
iTunes is the most music-focused option here and includes offline playback, though some features require a subscription.
Are these apps free?
All three are free to download. VLC for Android has no in-app purchases, while Google TV offers in-app purchases and some connected services may require subscriptions; some iTunes features also require a subscription.
ViaAPK 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.