People started throwing out their records when the audio cassette came along. When CDs debuted, people tossed their cassettes and embraced the age of shiny discs and flimsy jewel cases. Today, however,  people are forgoing CDs for something more digital: mp3s.

There are no more trips to the music store when you’re craving some new music -- just hop online and start downloading your favorite tracks. Better yet, modern electronics are willingly jumping on board the mp3 train. Instead of listening to mp3s on your iPod or computer, you can now load them on smartphones, cameras, e-readers, and tablets -- or, if you’re feeling particularly vintage, you can still load them on CDs.

So where are the best places on the Web to download mp3s? From online megastores to sites for free mp3 downloads, here are your best bets:

Paid Downloads

1. iTunes: iTunes is the mega-giant of mp3 downloads. This Apple music store only has one real rival: Amazon. iTunes’ main advantage is its easy compatibility with iPods and their sheer volume of tracks, artists, podcasts, and video. Download songs for $.69-1.29 a track.
2. Amazon MP3: ConsumerSearch named Amazon as the best place to download mp3s over stores like eMusic and iTunes (though iTunes beat Amazon for mp3 downloads specifically for the iPod). Prices are comparable with iTunes with tracks ranging from $.69-1.29.
3. eMusic: eMusic only offers a fraction of the tracks found on Amazon or iTunes. Where eMusic shines is in its collection of lesser-known indie tracks. If you’re an independent movie fan, eMusic is for you. Subscription rates run around $12 per month.
4. Napster: Napster boats both a huge catalog and cheap subscription rates. Sign up for Napster’s service for as low as $5 per month. The service offers both mp3 and WMA formats.
5. Rhapsody: Though most critics recommend Napster over Rhapsody, Rhapsody also offers free streaming radio options.

Free Downloads

Sites claiming to have ”free mp3 downloads” are often illegal. The following sites offer completely free and legal downloads for users -- the downside is that they have severely limited offerings compared to paid sites.

1. Jamendo: Jamendo is a free music streaming and download site with a library of 325,833 tracks.
2. Free Music Archive: The FMA is exactly what it sounds like: it’s an archive of high-quality free tracks under Creative Commons licensing.
3. Internet Archive’s Audio Archive: Do you want to hear a Grateful Dead concert? How about a speech, an audiobook, or an old-time radio broadcast? You’ll find all these -- and more -- at the impressive Internet Archive’s Audio Archive.

More Options

If you’re looking for more options, why not try streaming radio sites like Pandora or Last.Fm? If you’re looking for something a little more unusual, check out the user-created playlists at 8tracks.com: the Internet’s answer to the age of mixed tapes. Finally, you can find and play nearly any track you’re looking for at Grooveshark or Spotify.