When Apple to Android converts tell us why they switched, the words “iTunes” and “oppression” always come up. The way you consume music on Android is virtually limitless, and there are a huge number of music player apps to choose from. Some of you might have your own music collection and don’t want to stream anything. Here are our favorite music player apps for Android.
1. Phonograph
For my money, this is the best music player available. The phonograph nails the material design, and the user interface is silky smooth. You can change the primary and accent colors, allowing you to add some personality to the app. There’s nothing too flashy here, it executes everything perfectly. Honestly, I haven’t had any issues since I started using it, and I’m doing it all with that clam beauty that Android excels at.
Phonograph: About as close to perfect as a music player. / © NextPit
2. Shuttle music player
Probably the best-looking music app on Android, Shuttle offers a good range of features, including a six-band equalizer and automatic uploads for artwork and lyrics. Shuttle also uses Last.fm scrobbling, which will determine which songs you listen to the most over time and help you tailor playlists to your liking.
If you spend US$1.75 / £1.10 for the paid version, you get more themes, folder browsing and even Chromecast support.
Shuttle looks great and offers a good range of features including scrobbling and Chromecast support. / © Simple City
3. jetAudio Music Player
It’s one of the best music players on Android, mainly because of its multitude of tweaks and effects that you can add while listening to your music. Plugins include AM3D Audio Enhancer and Bongiovi DPS, which improve sound processing in a way that true audio enthusiasts will appreciate.
Pay £3.29 / US$4.99 for the Plus version, and you get a whole bunch of widgets, display options, pitch shifters and more, which probably makes this the music player the most crafty one.
4. Power amplifier
As one of the most popular music players for Android, Poweramp is a sure bet for your music needs. Album art and lyrics can be integrated into the player, and it provides an impressive 10-band equalizer to help you adjust your audio output. You can even save your equalizer presets, allowing you to configure specific ones for specific headphones.
Poweramp is a great app with lots of customization features / © NextPit
5. Google Play Music
Finally, if you want a good all-around device that also streams music, Google Play Music offers access to a huge catalog of online music. You can stream it if you have a subscription, but the app can also play music stored in your smartphone’s library. Google Play Music syncs with your Google Account, so your playlists and songs are accessible across multiple devices.
Google Play Music also offers personalized recommendations based on your current listening habits and music library.
Google Play Music is the best all-rounder for streaming and storing your collection. / © NextPit
Alternatively, if you’d rather just stream your music and have it all in one app, you can check out our list of the best music streaming apps for Android.
What’s your favorite music player for Android? What features do you find most important? Tell us in the comments!