Listen to just about anything with these apps on Android.
Over the years music fans have gradually changed how they listen to their music and what they listen to it on. With the rise of the smartphone, it’s only natural that now the one device we carry with us everywhere is also our primary media player. On Android, we’re also fortunate that there’s a huge community of developers that create apps that can better the experience we’re provided by the folks who made our phones.
So it’s time dive deep into the depths of the Play Store and find out which options are the best music player apps on android.
The top 3 apps
- 1. Spotify
- 2. Poweramp Music Player
- 3. CloudPlayer by doubleTwist
More options
- Musicolet Music Player
- Phonograph Music Player
- GoneMAD Music Player
- YouTube Music
- Apple Music
- Amazon Music
These are the top three best music player apps for Android
When finding the best music player apps for Android, it would be pointless to not recommend Spotify. This is the best music streaming service available today, and works with all of your devices with its vast library of music.
Poweramp is the de-facto option for those with their own music library who are looking for a great app to enjoy it with. The audio engine and processing has been improved, and you can even use this app to play your hi-res audio files.
While you can use CloudPlayer by DoubleTwist to listen to the music files on your phone, it does so much more. Sync up your Google Drive or OneDrive folders, and stream your music from the cloud, while enjoying the great interface offered by CloudPlayer.
1. Spotify
There are a lot of music streaming services that have tried to take Spotify’s crown, but none have been able to do so. This service has expanded into the world of podcasts, but it’s still easy to find new music to listen to, or play the tunes that fueled your childhood.
One of the best aspects of Spotify is that you can sign up for free and listen to your favorite music, albeit with limitations (including ads). Spotify Premium removes any of those limitations and provides curated playlists to help you find some new music, or to help you power through that workout session.
Since Spotify is available everywhere, you can start listening on your phone then pick up where you left off on your Assistant-enabled speaker. Spotify is the champ, and is one of the best music player apps for Android, so why don’t you give it a shot?
The best of them all
Spotify
Free at Google Play
Take your music to the next level
From curated content based on your likes, to being able to use without paying a dime, Spotify is the best music player app for Android. It’s not even a competition.
2. Poweramp Music Player
If you already have a vast library of music files and just want a fantastic app to play it, then Poweramp Music Player is the way to go. The app has been around for years on the Play Store and is still being actively developed with new features.
The latest of these updates not only adds a new equalizer and UI, but also bring support for hi-res output. Audiophiles will be more than pleased with what Poweramp can produce, and you can adjust the EQ to help your library sound great.
In addition to offering a great interface and the ability to play all of your music files, Poweramp also has Google Assistant integration, and supports Chromecast and Android Auto. If you have a huge music library and are looking for the best music player app, this is the way to go.
Your music, your way
Poweramp Music Player
Free at Google Play
For your vast music library
Poweramp Music Player is one of those apps that has been around forever, but has not been forgotten. The app is constantly updated and is perfect for listening to your own music library, even if you have hi-res music.
3. CloudPlayer by doubleTwist
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We’ve talked about DoubleTwist a lot around these parts and with good reason. DoubleTwist became a favorite among Android users that had deep roots in the iTunes ecosystem, and it still is. The base app has been replaced on this list by Cloudplayer, a newer offering that looks great and has hooks into some of the most popular cloud storage services to deliver your music.
We’re not talking about hooking into streaming services, either. Create your own cloud streaming library with your own music, a Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive account, and DoubleTwist Cloudplayer. Access to these is unlockable via an in-app purchase, but the basic app is free. Even the free version will play your lossless FLAC files.
That in-app purchase also unlocks AirPlay support and equalizer tools to help you get the most from your music. Like the older app, you can still use it to listen to radio and podcasts, as well as now having support for both Android Wear and Android Auto. It’s a pretty well-stocked, one-stop shop for all your audio needs.
In the cloud
CloudPlayer by doubleTwist
Free at Google Play
Stream from the cloud
CloudPlayer by DoubleTwist is unique in that your music library does not need to be on your phone. You can sync with Google Drive or OneDrive, and then listen to everything. CloudPlayer can even stream to AirPlay devices if you get the Premium version.
These almost make the cut, but not quite
There are a lot of great music player apps on the Play Store, so it’s pretty tough to only pick three. We have found some of the other “best” apps you should try out if one of the aforementioned options doesn’t necessarily fit the bill for you.
Musicolet Music Player
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Those who are concerned with privacy, even for their music files, will enjoy Musicolet. This music player is privacy focused in that it only supports your local audio files, and doesn’t even have any internet permissions built-in.
With Musicolet, you can play your music and enjoy a simplistic interface, but there’s even the ability to arrange and organize your music library with tags. Are you missing the album artwork for some of your music? Use Musicolet to fix that up so you don’t get the boring music icon.
Privacy-focused
Musicolet Music Player
Free at Google Play
Keep your music to yourself
Musicolet is a beautifully-designed music player for your Android phone or tablet, with customizable options and more. The best part is that it keeps your privacy in mind as there’s no internet permissions built into the app.
Phonograph Music Player
The Material Design days were so wonderful, and while there are still some apps that keep this aesthetic, many have moved away. Phonograph Music Player falls into the former category, giving you the Material Design we all knew and loved back in the day. The interface is clean, and the UI changes automatically to match whatever album artwork is being shown.
Are you really into customizing the look of your apps? Phonograph has you covered, with the ability to change the aesthetics of just about every facet of the app. Plus, you’ll be able to edit the tags and information for songs that are missing vital info.
The old days
Phonograph Music Player
Free at Google Play
Keeping Material Design around
Phonograph Music Player is designed with Material Design, but has been consistently updated over the years. The app is completely customizable and you can listen to your own music library in style.
GoneMAD Music Player
GoneMAD is another one of those apps that has been making its rounds on the Play Store for years. The app has been consistently updated, but got its start as a “holo design” for Android. There are templates that make it possible to relive the Holo or Material Design days, along with an updated interface to match apps of today.
In fact, there are more than 1,000 themes to download and over 250 customization options, making this one of the most customizable music player apps for Android. It also has support for a whole bunch of formats including lossless audio, smart playlists, an equalizer, multi-window and much, much more.
All of the customization
GoneMAD Music Player
Free at Google Play
Customize everything, or use templates
GoneMAD boasts over 250 customizations, so needless to say we’re not going to talk about them all, here. Add to this over 1,000 themes and what you’ve got is a music app that really can be tailored to suit your own personal tastes.
YouTube Music
It’s time to say goodbye to Google Play Music, but the Big G has replaced it with YouTube Music. Many of the same features from GPM have been ported over to YT Music, including the ability to import your own music files and playlists. Then, you can download them to your phone and listen offline.
The music streaming service aspect makes it easy to get tailored recommendations based on what you like, or even the time of the day. If you sign up for YouTube Music Premium, then you’ll never have to worry about ads, and will get access to “The Hotlist” to see what’s trending.
New kid, old tricks
YouTube Music
Free w/ IAP at Google Play
Out with the old, in with the new
With the days of Google Play Music behind us, YouTube Music is here to take its place. There are plenty of great features to keep you happy, including personalized recommendations and a custom “mixtape” for when you’re offline.
Apple Music
An entire generation grew up depending on Apple for their Music needs thanks to iTunes. While you may not have a lime green iPod anymore, you can still access your library from your Android phone with Apple Music.
Your subscription will give you access to the music streaming service, but your Library will still hold all the music you already know and love. You can purchase and download music right to your phone, edit which items show up in your library when you open it, and you can add music to your Library if you listen to them while music is streaming.
From Cupertino
Apple Music
Free at Google Play
Much better than you may expect it to be
It was only a matter of time for Apple to bring the world its streaming service, but the truth is, it’s not too shabby. There are more than 60 million songs on the catalog, including personalized content in the “For You” tab.
Amazon Music
Another music streaming service? Amazon Music has continued to surprise us, even though it flies under the radar. Amazon Music now boasts more than 60 million songs in its catalog, and if you’re already a Prime subscriber, you don’t have to do anything else but download the app.
If you’re an audiophile, you will be pleased to know that Amazon Music HD provides access to millions of songs in high-res quality.Those who just want something better than the traditional streaming bitrate will enjoy streaming even more songs at CD quality.
Audiophiles apply here
Amazon Music
Free at Google Play
Not just for Prime subscribers
Amazon has its own thing going on and combines its Prime Music streaming service with its music store and a decent looking music player all in one. If you’re a Prime subscriber, you’ll already have Prime Music and so you’ll need this on your phone.
