iTunes
Best for Apple-centered music libraries
iTunes vs Google TV vs MX Player: which media app should you choose?
Choose iTunes for an Apple-centered music library, Google TV to find movies and shows across services, or MX Player to play local video files with format and subtitle flexibility.
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 |
 MX PlayerAmazon Mobile LLC | 4.2 out of 514,147,136 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.49 - $239.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Everyone |
Ratings and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Prices change over time.
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How we compared them
All three are free media apps, but they serve different purposes. iTunes focuses on music and Apple’s media ecosystem, Google TV helps you discover and stream movies and shows, and MX Player is a versatile player for video files.
This comparison weighs their stated features, trade-offs, and Google Play figures to help you decide whether you need a music hub, a streaming guide, or a flexible video player.
How we compared them
We compared each app’s purpose and features alongside its Google Play rating, install count, price, ads, and in-app purchases where those figures are available. Store figures were read on November 7, 2026.
Ratings and installs indicate scale and user response, but they do not establish which app will suit every device or viewing habit. The comparison also considers the stated strengths and trade-offs of each app; it does not rely on hands-on testing.
iTunes
by Apple
4.7 out of 5 on Google Play
Best formanaging music in an Apple-centered library
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 130,000,000
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
iTunes is the strongest match here for music: it combines a large track library with playlist customization, audio streaming, and media-library management. Its integration with Apple devices gives it a more cohesive role in that ecosystem than Google TV or MX Player, which focus on video.
That focus is also its limitation. Full access may require a subscription, and compatibility is less broad outside Apple devices. It is not the choice for discovering shows across streaming services or playing a wide range of local video formats.
Pros
Extensive music library and playlist toolsStrong integration with Apple devicesMusic streaming and library management in one app
Cons
Less suited to non-Apple devicesFull access may require a subscription
Google TV
by Google LLC
3.9 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forfinding movies and shows across streaming services
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 2,879,818
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Teen
Google TV brings movie and show discovery together, with personalized recommendations and support for a range of streaming services. It is the clearest pick for deciding what to watch across services, while iTunes is music-centered and MX Player is primarily a file player. Its stated support for 4K and HDR also suits compatible viewing setups.
The app is a discovery and streaming companion, not a way around separate service subscriptions. It depends on an internet connection, and some users report crashes. Its Google Play rating is 3.9 from 2,879,818 ratings, lower than the ratings shown for the other two apps.
Pros
Movie and show discovery across servicesPersonalized recommendationsSupports 4K and HDR viewing
Cons
Separate subscriptions may be needed for servicesRequires an internet connection to stream
MX Player
by Amazon Mobile LLC
4.2 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forplaying local videos in varied formats
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 14,147,136
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
MX Player is the most focused option for playing video files. Its broad format support, hardware acceleration, and customizable subtitles give it an edge over iTunes and Google TV when you already have videos to watch. It is free to download and has a 4.2 Google Play rating from 14,147,136 ratings.
Unlike Google TV, MX Player does not include built-in streaming services, and it does not offer iTunes’ music-library role. The free version contains ads, some features require in-app purchases, and the app may be less reliable on lower-end devices.
Pros
Supports a wide range of video formatsHardware acceleration for video playbackCustomizable subtitle options
Cons
Free version contains adsNo built-in streaming services
Which one should you pick?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which app is best for music?
iTunes is the music-focused choice, with a large track library, streaming, playlist customization, and library management. Its Apple integration is a stronger fit for Apple-centered users.
Which app helps find movies and shows across services?
Google TV is designed for discovering movies and shows across supported streaming services, with personalized recommendations. Access to some services may require separate subscriptions.
Which app is best for playing downloaded video files?
MX Player is the strongest fit for local video files because it supports many formats and offers hardware acceleration and customizable subtitles.
Are these apps free?
All three are free to download. MX Player contains ads and offers in-app purchases, while Google TV also has in-app purchases. iTunes may require a subscription for full access.
Mobxio 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.