Music is among the most popular forms of entertainment and relaxation for many people. Whether you want to listen to your favorite songs, podcasts, audiobooks, or radio stations, you need a good music player app on your Android device. But with so many options on the Google Play Store, how do you choose the best one for your needs?
In this blog post, we will review some of the best music players for Android in 2023 based on their features, design, performance, and user ratings. We will also compare them with each other and highlight their pros and cons. Here are our top picks:
Poweramp has been a consistent favorite among Android users for years, and it continues to impress with its feature-rich interface.
It supports a wide range of audio formats, including mp3, mp4, m4a, FLAC, OGG, WMA, WAV, APE, WV, TTA, MPC, AIFF, DSD, and more. It also has a 10-band equalizer, gapless playback, crossfade, replay gain, lyrics support, tag editor, themes, widgets, and more. The app also provides regular updates, ensuring a smooth user experience.
Poweramp has a sleek and intuitive interface that lets you browse your music library by folders, albums, artists, genres, playlists, or ratings. You can also customize the look and feel of the app with various skins and colors. Poweramp also supports Chromecast, Android Auto, Google Assistant, scrobbling, and external devices.
Poweramp is not a free app. You can download a 15-day trial version from the Play Store and then purchase the full version unlocker for $4.99. However, many users agree that it is worth the price for its features and quality.
Pros
- Wide range of supported formats: Poweramp supports various audio formats, including lossless files like FLAC and ALAC, ensuring compatibility with most music libraries.
- Customizable equalizer: Poweramp features a powerful 10-band equalizer with presets, allowing users to tailor their listening experience to their preferences.
- Gapless playback: The app offers gapless playback, ensuring a smooth transition between tracks without any pauses or interruptions.
- Highly customizable interface: Poweramp allows users to personalize the app’s appearance with themes, skins, and various display options, catering to individual tastes.
- Regular updates: The app receives frequent updates, ensuring it stays up-to-date with the latest features, improvements, and bug fixes.
- Lyrics support: Poweramp can display embedded lyrics or fetch them from the internet, allowing users to sing along or better understand the songs they’re listening to.
Cons
- Paid app: Poweramp is a paid app with a free trial, which might be a drawback for users who prefer free alternatives or are unwilling to invest in a premium music player.
- Learning curve: Due to its extensive features and customization options, Poweramp has a learning curve that might be overwhelming for casual users or those new to music players.
- No support for streaming services: Poweramp does not integrate with popular music streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music and is primarily designed for local music playback.
- Battery usage: Poweramp’s advanced features and high-quality audio processing may consume more battery life compared to other, less resource-intensive music players.
Verdict
Poweramp Music Player is an excellent choice for users who prioritize extensive features, customization options, and support for a wide range of audio formats. However, its paid nature and learning curve might make it less suitable for casual listeners or those who prefer a more straightforward, free music player.
Phonograph is a visually appealing, easy-to-use music player that emphasizes simplicity and user experience. It has a minimalist design that adapts to the color of the current song’s album art.
Disclaimer: In-app purchases
It also has a smart playlist feature that automatically creates playlists based on your listening habits. It also offers basic features such as an equalizer, and tag editing, making it suitable for users who prefer a no-frills experience.
Phonograph supports most common audio formats such as mp3, m4a, FLAC, OGG, and more. It also has a built-in tag editor that lets you edit the metadata of your songs. You can also customize the app with different themes and colors.
Phonograph is a free app that does not contain ads or in-app purchases. However, it does not have some advanced features, such as an equalizer or gapless playback.
Pros
- Attractive interface: Phonograph features a clean, modern, and visually appealing interface with customizable themes and colors that allow users to personalize their experience.
- Easy to use: The app is designed with simplicity in mind, making it easy for users to navigate their music library and access essential features.
- Tag editor: Phonograph includes a simple tag editor, enabling users to edit song information, such as title, artist, and album.
- Playlist management: Users can create, edit, and manage custom playlists within the app, allowing for a tailored listening experience.
- Last.fm integration: Phonograph integrates with Last.fm, enabling users to scrobble their music and track their listening habits.
- Lightweight: The app is resource-efficient and has a small storage footprint, making it suitable for users with limited storage capacity or older devices.
Cons
- Limited features: Phonograph lacks some advanced features found in other music players, such as a customizable equalizer, network streaming capabilities, and support for less-common audio formats.
- No support for streaming services: The app does not integrate with popular music streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music.
- Ad-supported: The free version of Phonograph includes ads, which some users may find intrusive. However, an ad-free, paid version is available for those who prefer an uninterrupted experience.
- Infrequent updates: Phonograph receives updates less frequently compared to some other music players, which could result in slower bug fixes or feature improvements.
Verdict
Phonograph Music Player is an excellent choice for users who value a visually appealing interface, simplicity, and ease of use. Its lightweight nature and essential features make it suitable for casual listeners or those who prefer a no-frills experience. However, the app may not be the best choice for those seeking advanced features, extensive format support, or integration with music streaming services.
Musicolet is a lightweight, offline music player for Android that does not require any internet access or permissions. It has a simple and clean interface lets you browse your music by folders or tags.
Disclaimer: In-app purchases
It also has multiple queue management features that allow you to create and edit multiple playlists on the fly. However, it lacks advanced features like an equalizer and streaming capabilities.
Musicolet supports the most common audio formats such as mp3, m4a, FLAC, etc. It also has an equalizer with presets and a bass boost option. You can also control the playback with earphone buttons or gestures.
Musicolet is a free app that does not contain ads or in-app purchases. However, it does not support streaming services such as Spotify or YouTube Music.
Pros
- Simple and clean interface: Musicolet features an intuitive, clutter-free interface, making it easy for users to navigate and manage their music library.
- Offline playback: The app is designed specifically for offline music playback, providing a seamless experience for users who store their music locally on their devices.
- No ads and no internet permissions: Musicolet is entirely ad-free and does not require internet permissions, making it an attractive choice for privacy-conscious users.
- Multiple queues: The app allows users to create and manage multiple queues, enabling them to curate playlists for different moods or occasions.
- Folder browsing: Musicolet supports folder browsing, making it easy for users to organize and access their music based on the folder structure.
- Lightweight: The app is resource-efficient and takes up minimal storage space on your device, making it ideal for users with limited storage capacity or older devices.
Cons
- Limited features: Musicolet lacks some advanced features found in other music players, such as an equalizer, tag editing, and network streaming capabilities.
- No support for streaming services: The app is designed for offline music playback and does not integrate with popular music streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music.
- Limited format support: Musicolet supports most common audio formats but may need to be compatible with some less-common or lossless formats.
Verdict
Musicolet Music Player is an excellent choice for users who value simplicity, privacy, and offline music playback. Its lightweight nature and clean interface make it an attractive option for users with limited storage space or older devices. However, the app may not be the best choice for those looking for advanced features, extensive format support, or integration with music streaming services.
AIMP is a versatile and robust music player with support for various audio formats, including lossless files. It features a 10-band equalizer, custom playlists, and the ability to control playback speed. AIMP’s clean and straightforward interface makes navigating and managing your music library easy.
Pros
- Wide range of supported formats: AIMP supports various audio formats, including lossless files like FLAC, ALAC, and APE, ensuring compatibility with most music libraries.
- Customizable equalizer: AIMP comes with a 10-band equalizer, allowing users to tailor their listening experience according to their preferences.
- Clean and user-friendly interface: The app features a straightforward and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible to casual users and experienced audiophiles.
- Playlist management: AIMP offers robust playlist management features, including the ability to create and edit custom playlists and sort them by different parameters.
- Free and ad-free: AIMP is a free app without any in-app advertisements, providing a smooth and uninterrupted listening experience.
- Regular updates: The app receives frequent updates, ensuring that it stays up-to-date with the latest features, improvements, and bug fixes.
Cons
- Lacks advanced features: AIMP only offers some advanced features found in other music players, such as network streaming or extensive audio customization options.
- Visual customization: While the app’s interface is clean and user-friendly, the visual customization options are relatively limited compared to other music players.
- Learning curve: While not as complex as some other music players, AIMP still has a slight learning curve for users who are new to music players or prefer a minimalistic interface.
Verdict
In conclusion, AIMP Music Player is a solid choice for users who value a clean interface, broad format support, and a customizable equalizer. Its free and ad-free nature makes it appealing to users who want a no-cost, enjoyable listening experience. However, the app may not be the best choice for those looking for advanced features or extensive visual customization options.
Neutron is an advanced music player designed for audiophiles. It offers a 32/64-bit audio processing engine, support for various file formats, and a customizable equalizer. Neutron’s unique feature is its ability to stream music over a network, making it perfect for users who store their music on a NAS or similar devices.
Pros
- High-quality audio processing: Neutron Music Player features a 32/64-bit audio processing engine, ensuring exceptional audio quality and detail.
- Wide range of supported formats: The app supports various audio formats, including lossless files like FLAC, DSD, and ALAC.
- Customizable equalizer: Neutron allows users to fine-tune their listening experience with a highly customizable equalizer and advanced audio settings.
- Network streaming: The app can stream music from network-attached storage devices (NAS) or other devices on the same network, making it convenient for users with extensive music collections stored on external devices.
- Regular updates: Neutron Music Player receives frequent updates, ensuring the app stays up-to-date with the latest features and improvements.
- Cross-platform compatibility: Neutron is available for Android and iOS, making it easy for users to switch between devices while maintaining a consistent experience.
Cons
- Complexity: Neutron Music Player has a steep learning curve due to its advanced features and options, which might be overwhelming for casual users or those new to music players.
- Interface: The app’s user interface may appear dated and less visually appealing compared to some other music players on the market.
- Price: Neutron has both paid and free version, which might be a drawback for users who prefer advanced free alternatives or are unwilling to invest in a premium music player.
- Battery usage: Due to its high-quality audio processing, Neutron may consume more battery life compared to other, less resource-intensive music players.
Verdict
Neutron Music Player is an excellent choice for audiophiles and users who prioritize audio quality and customization. However, its complexity and price might make it less suitable for casual listeners or those who prefer a more straightforward, visually appealing interface.
Conclusion
These are some of the best music players for Android in 2023 that we have reviewed. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, depending on your preferences and needs. You can try them out yourself and see which one suits you best.