When industry giant Apple entered the business music streaming sector, it seemed like the ideal choice for businesses in need of background music. Apple launched Apple Music for Business in partnership with PlayNetwork, which brought together Apple's global reach and PlayNetwork's business focus.

Apple Music for Business provided background music to businesses across a wide range of sectors, including retail and hospitality. Many larger brands used Apple's service, including Harrods, Levi's, PizzaExpress, Everyman Cinema and Apple's own retail stores.

But PlayNetwork was ultimately acquired by TouchTunes and later sold to Mood Media, which resulted in the shutdown of Apple Music for Business. As a result, Apple Music for Business is no longer around, and Apple no longer offers music streaming for anything other than personal use.

Below, we'll go over what Apple Music for Business had to offer, and how you can find the ideal alternative background music solution to meet your business needs.

What features did Apple Music for Business have?

Apple Music for Business shared many features with the consumer-oriented Apple Music, but it had a number of elements that were tailored specifically for business use. So let's review, feature by feature, then see how the same features can be found today in Soundtrack.

Playlists curated for business use

Apple Music is beloved by users for expert-curated music recommendations, and their business-focused service was no different. One of the perks of Apple Music for Business was having PlayNetwork's music supervisors hand-select tracks in order to help businesses develop a solid music strategy, complete with a custom sound for their brand.

It's the same approach that Soundtrack takes in crafting playlists tailored for business use. Relying on the largest music catalog in the industry, Soundtrack's team of music experts is constantly releasing new playlists that cater to different business types, moods, genres and languages.

With expert-curated playlists, you can trust that Soundtrack's selections are made with a deep understanding of the impact music can have on the customer experience. This level of expertise allows you to create a distinctive and memorable auditory identity for your brand, all while improving ambience and customer satisfaction.

A regional approach for global brands

Apple Music for Business offered businesses the ability to adapt their brand to a global audience with themed playlists covering specific countries, regions and genres. Why is this important? Because local music tastes vary widely from region to region, localizing a brand's sound is crucial when it comes to creating an authentic customer experience. By fine-tuning the music to reflect local preferences, you can resonate more deeply with your audience, enhance brand loyalty and create a memorable atmosphere that feels relevant to your customers.

Soundtrack also gives brands this opportunity, with licensed music in over 70 countries and a diverse music catalog to back up that global footprint. Whether it's featuring traditional Japanese music in your izakayas or playing the latest chart-toppers in your European locations, having region-specific playlists ensures that the music aligns with local trends and customer expectations. Soundtrack's licensing agreements touch every continent, which means that your brand's attention to cultural detail can stand out from the competition.

Locally relevant music curation can benefit your business in plenty of ways, including helping you design area-specific promotions, spotlight seasonal events and highlight local holidays, further enhancing the customer experience.

Familiar user interface

Many business music streaming services offer only a small selection of playlists that are pre-curated, almost like internet radio. Apple Music for Business was similar in that it offered business-tailored playlists, but with an interface that was quite similar to iTunes, giving it an ease-of-use factor that comparable services often lack. 

Soundtrack also offers a familiar interface, one that's similar to another music streaming giant: Spotify. As with Spotify, Soundtrack users can create their own playlists, import their Spotify playlists and even use an AI playlist creator to build something tailored to their needs.

And just like Apple Music for Business, Soundtrack also allows for date-parting, which lets you control the exact times playlists are played or schedule playlists to start during special events. Finally, Soundtrack also has an explicit-lyric filter to make sure your business stays family-friendly with the flick of a switch, and inappropriate content never ruins the ambience.

Music licensed for business use

Unlike Apple Music, a consumer service that isn't licensed for business use, Apple Music for Business was specifically licensed to offer background music to businesses, to ensure they avoided the biggest pitfalls of playing unlicensed music — like lawsuits that can result in a business having to shut down due to insurmountable legal expenses.

While you could get these licenses directly from a PRO (performance rights organization) like ASCAP or BMI (two of the largest PROs in the United States), it's often simpler (and cheaper!) to opt for a service that sorts out these music industry licenses itself. In the United States, Soundtrack already has these performing rights licenses, which means that the music catalog contains only music that Soundtrack is licensed to play. Many business music streaming services work on an internet radio model, which allows you to play only the limited playlists they've already licensed. Soundtrack, on the other hand, gives you the option to build your own playlists — just like the consumer services — and all with the proper licenses.

Frequently asked questions about Apple Music for Business

Can I use Apple Music in my business?

No, you cannot use a standard Apple Music subscription for business purposes. Apple Music's terms of service specify that the subscription is only for personal, noncommercial use. Playing music from your personal Apple Music account in a commercial setting (e.g., store, restaurant, office) violates these terms, exposing your business to legal risks.

While Apple used to offer Apple Music for Business in partnership with PlayNetwork, this service was shut down. Currently, the best alternative to the now-defunct service is Soundtrack, which offers the largest set of business-oriented features combined with an industry-leading music catalog.

Can I play Apple Music in my office?

No, you cannot legally play Apple Music in your office using a personal Apple Music subscription. Apple Music's terms of service are very clear: Subscribers can use Apple Music only for personal, noncommercial purposes. Playing music from your personal Apple Music account in a public or commercial setting like an office violates these terms and could have legal consequences.

In a business setting like an office, you should use a streaming service designed for commercial use, such as Soundtrack. Soundtrack provides a wide range of playlists curated by music experts and is designed for commercial users. It ensures the music you play is fully licensed for business use.

When your business uses a music streaming service designed for commercial use, you ensure that you're complying with local music licensing requirements.

How much did Apple Music for Business cost?

According to the most recent information available, the cost of Apple Music for Business is not publicly listed online. The website is only available via the Wayback Machine, and their website didn't even list any pricing options.

Pricing for Apple Music for Business seems to have varied on several factors, including business size, business type, number of locations, and customization needs. To get an accurate estimate, Apple encouraged potential customers to contact PlayNetwork directly.

For those looking for an alternative solution to Apple Music for Business, Soundtrack has transparent pricing available with affordable plans that include:

• Full public performance licensing

• Over 1,700 curated playlists

• Up to 80% savings on included ASCAP and BMI licenses

• Custom stations built for your brand

• Drag-and-drop scheduling

• Explicit lyrics filter

• Centralized remote controls

While pricing information on Apple Music for Business isn't available, Reddit posts indicate that it may be in line with what Soundtrack charges.

What countries was Apple Music for Business available in?

Apple Music for Business was available in a number of countries. While Apple did not publish an exhaustive list of markets where their business service was available, we do know that it targeted major markets with high demand for commercial music solutions.

Some of the key countries where Apple Music for Business was likely available include:

• Australia

• Canada

• France

• Germany

• Italy

• New Zealand

• Spain

• United Kingdom

• United States

While Apple Music for Business isn't available anymore, Soundtrack is — and it's available in all of these countries and more.

How to switch background music services

If you were an Apple Music for Business customer and still haven't found a workable solution, there are three main considerations when choosing a new background music service that aligns with your business needs:

• Legal compliance: Ensure the music service you choose is licensed for commercial use, as Soundtrack is.

• Brand alignment: Pick a music service with a music catalog that's large enough to reflect your brand identity. Soundtrack has thousands of playlists and over 100 million songs available, which makes it easy for any brand to find their sound.

• Staff-friendly: Choose a music service that's easy to use and won't frustrate your employees. Soundtrack's playlists are long enough that your employees won't hear the same songs twice.

Why playing music legally in your business matters

Playing music legally in your business is important for multiple reasons:

• Complying with music copyright laws: Using properly licensed music means avoiding potential legal actions and fines. In the United States, playing music without proper licensing can result in fines ranging from $750 to $30,000 for each unlicensed song played. For most small businesses, fines this large could put them at risk of bankruptcy.

• Supporting artists and songwriters: Legal music usage compensates artists for their work, which helps foster a fairer music ecosystem. Some business owners argue that since music doesn't contribute to the company's bottom line, you shouldn't have to pay for it. Research shows that this is completely false: Businesses of all kinds see customers stay longer and spend more when the music is right.

• Maintaining a professional image: Using a licensed music service bolsters your credibility in the eyes of the music industry. If musicians find out that your business isn't paying royalties for the music you use, you'd better believe they'll boycott.

Conclusion

Apple Music for Business was once a robust solution for providing commercially licensed music, but changes in ownership led to its subsequent shutdown. Businesses looking for a suitable alternative can turn to Soundtrack, which offers similar features like expert-curated playlists, region-specific music options and proper licensing for commercial use. Soundtrack ensures legal compliance, supports artists and helps you enhance your brand's sound, making it an excellent choice for businesses of any size.