SpiralFrog Trades DRM For Semi-Annoying Ads

"Registration is fairly quick, requiring a name, age, gender and ZIP code. Mac users can't use the service at all; Firefox users will probably need to install a Windows Media Player plug-in that requires all other browser windows to be closed (ugh). The site also requires Flash 9 and SpiralFrog's download manager, which allows a Download Queue window to follow you around the site as you choose stuff to grab.

SpiralFrog's catalog only contains about 770,000 songs, while iTunes boasts more than 6 million. SpiralFrog only has deals with one major label (Universal) and a smattering of smaller indie and regional labels (plus digital music distributors Ioda and The Orchard). I managed to find full albums from Sonic Youth, Pulp, Teenage Fanclub, R.E.M., The Velvet Underground and some other heavy hitters, but was frustrated to find lots of artists listed whose songs weren't actually available."

There's a requirement to fill out a monthly survey to get your hands on the music, too, but the price is right: nothing. SpiralFrog