A new music download website threatens to undercut services offered by HMV and Apple's iTunes.

7digital is selling single tracks from 50p and claims the quality and price of its DRM-free MP3 downloads easily match or even exceed content from other websites.

The site has a 3.5 million plus catalogue of music with approximately 70 per cent available in high-quality MP3 format which the company claims makes them indistinguishable from CD quality. New additions to the MP3 catalogue include Kylie, Coldplay, Moby, Radiohead and Pink Floyd.

Tracks can be downloaded to any player and albums start at £5. A dedicated section of the site has been created to help consumers easily search the MP3 catalogue.

“In the run up to Christmas, when many will get new MP3 players from Apple, Samsung, Sony and others, it’s important consumers realise that they have choice when it comes to buying downloads," said Ben Drury, 7digital's chief executive officer.

"MP3 is the only truly universal digital format for music and we are striving hard to make our entire catalogue available as MP3; earlier in the year MP3s were outselling WMA and AAC by almost four to one.”