Music streaming services such as Spotify, YouTube Music, or Apple Music have won the game: most smartphone users have opted for this type of platform to consume their favorite music, leaving aside the classic music classic players and the need to download and transfer the files of the songs to the internal memory of the mobile.
Of course, not everyone is convinced by this type of online service. Whether it’s simply keeping a perfectly organized music library or wanting to enjoy the hi-fi audio offered by some types of files, some still prefer to play their music locally. And for that, you need, of course, a good music player.
On Android, it is possible to find endless applications of this type in the Google Play Store. However, they are not all the same. In this article, we select those who are the best music players for Android of 2021.
In addition, at the end of the article, we will explain the details that make the difference between a good and a bad music player are, so you can better choose the music player that will accompany you from now on.
List of the best music players of 2021
Although they have lost a bit of steam after the arrival of music streaming platforms, music players are still a useful application on your Android to listen to any audio when you need it.
If we analyze the Play Store in search of these types of apps, we see numerous options to choose from. Most music players for Android are free, although you can also find paid apps.
In our list of best music players, you will be able to discover audio players with different functionalities: driving mode, song data editor, lyrics viewer, support for one or other formats, support for Google Chromecast …
Next, we talk about the 7 best music players you can use on your Android in 2021. Discover all the information and choose which one best suits your needs.
Poweramp
The case of Poweramp probably is one of the best examples of applications that, since its inception, have managed to be at the top of its category, and for years to be one of the best valued by users. And all thanks to a team of developers who work tirelessly to create the perfect music player for Android.
Poweramp is a paid app, but it’s certainly worth the money. Among its main features, it is possible to find the functions that any user could need from an application of this category, including support for mp3, mp4, m4a, Ogg, FLAC, Wav, ape, tta, mpc, opus files, and many others. It also includes a built-in ten-band graphic equalizer—Presets and compatible with all supported sound formats. In addition, it includes support for Google Chromecast and is compatible with Android Auto.
If that were not enough, version 3 of the application arrived not too many months ago after three years in development, with a completely revamped interface that introduced gesture navigation and a new audio engine with a totally new DSP, internal 64-bit processing, and effects. Reverb or time, among many other novelties.
The full version of the application is priced at 4.99 euros on Google Play and unlocks every one of its functions. Also, it does not include ads or payments in-app of any kind. However, it is possible to download a free version, which allows us to test its functions for 15 days before deciding whether or not it is worth purchasing the paid version.
Bear in mind, of course, that its creators tend to downgrade the app frequently, and it is not difficult to find it at a much lower price than usual. Be that as it may, given that it is the best music player for Android, even in 2021, paying what they ask for is more than fair.
Retro Music Player
I admit that Retro Music Player is my favorite music player for Android and the only one that I keep installed on my mobile despite using mainly audio platforms streaming.
The application stands out from the rest, especially for its design. It is based on the Google Material Theme lines. It includes dozens of customization options that allow us to adapt its interface to our liking, both in terms of colors for the interface and in terms of the player’s format.
It has support for different types of files –not as many as PowerAmp–, an option to display the lyrics of the songs, a driving mode, an advanced playlist editor with tags and a function to import lists, and many other features.
This great music player for Android can be downloaded for free, although it contains payments that allow you to unlock some add-ons.
BlackPlayer EX
Few applications can stand up to Poweramp regarding the number of functions designed to improve the experience when consuming music. BlackPlayer EX is one of them, and it certainly deserves a place in this selection of the best music players for Android.
Like Poweramp, it is a paid application, although in this case, we have a free version that can be used for more than 15 days. Still, not all functions are unlocked.
Its most important functions are the support for the vast majority of audio formats popular, including mp3, FLAC, and wav; integrated equalizer, “gapless” music playback, song lyrics display, tagged playlist editor, Google Chromecast support, and a host of other options, all available after a single payment of 2.59 euros.
jetAudio HD
Another classic of Android music players is jetAudio . It has been one of the best valued options by users for years, mainly due to the support for a large number of different audio formats, including .wav, .mp3, .ogg, .flac, .m4a, .mpc, .tta, .wv, .ape, .mod, .spx, .opus or .wma and more, plus a powerful equalizer built-in with 32 presets.
Its interface is not as modern or intuitive as that of other alternatives on this list. However, it has the advantage of downloading and using the free version with –almost– the same functions as the paid version, yes, including ads.
Press
Although it seems to have been relegated to the background by more popular alternatives such as Poweramp or BlackPlayer, the Pulsar music player still maintains a large number of loyal users, who from the beginning fell in love with its minimalist design and straightforward format.
Its design, based on Google’s Material Design lines, can be customized to the maximum to create the experience that best suits the needs of each one. As a player, it includes a five-band equalizer with nine presets, Chromecast and Last.FM support, gapless playback, smart playlists, and many other features. All this in an extremely light app of less than 6 MB in size.
There is a free version of the application with some limitations. However, to take advantage of its full potential, it will be necessary to go to the register and pay the 2.99 euros that the version costs premium without ads.
It may not be the best music player for Android, but it is certainly one of the most complete and interesting alternatives that can be used.
AMP
With over 10 million installs on Google Play, AIMP has become the most popular ultralight music player on Android.
This application of Russian origin has support for the vast majority of available audio formats, including hi-fi.
It also includes a 29-band graphic equalizer, support for OpenSSL, AudioTrack, audio systems, folder-based smart playlists, audio streaming over HTTP, support for internet radio, and many other features that I am afraid they would need an article of their own.
Best of all, the application is free and does not include ads. In addition, it has a version for Windows.
Phonograph
Before the advent of Retro Music Player, Phonograph was considered the best-designed music player in all Google Play.
But even today, it continues to be one of the best-designed music playback apps, thanks to an aesthetic created based on the Material Design visual language and the use of exquisite animations that make the experience even better when listening to music with it. App.
The app stands out for its ease of use, and among its most interesting functions are the Last: FM integration, playlist management, widgets for the home screen, and many other features.
While the application does not receive updates as often as some of its rivals, the reality is that it is one of the best music players in 2021, simple but quite complete. You cannot ask for more than an app totally free, which is also open source.
How is a good music player?
Several features make the difference between a good and a bad music player for Android. Although they seem trivial, they can user completely change your experience.
First of all, the detail you should pay attention to when downloading a music player is its audio format support. The more formats it can play, the better, which ensures that you can listen to any audio stored on your phone.
For example, Poweramp, which we have referred to as the best music player for Android, has to support mp3, mp4 / m4a (including alac), Ogg, WMA *, FLAC, Wav, ape, WV, tta, mpc, AIFF, opus, tak, mka, and DSD dsf / dff.
Second, you must consider the design of the application, as it must have a customizable interface in which it is you who decides its appearance, from the colors to the player’s format.
In this regard, Retro Music Player is the most prominent music player since it offers you multiple customization options to adapt the interface to your liking.
It is important that the music player you download also has a built-equalizer in which you can modify the audio playback settings and select preset settings that make your work easier.
The aforementioned jetAudio HD app stands out in this feature, which has a powerful equalizer with up to 32 preset settings to choose from.
In addition to these outstanding functions, other tools can tip the balance towards some apps: support for Google Chromecast that allows you to play music on TV, driving mode, lyrics viewer and data editor, and song covers.
On the other hand, it is also useful that the application receives updates that improve existing bugs and integrate new functions that improve the user experience.
When looking for the best music player for your Android, keep in mind the features mentioned so far to ensure that you choose the best existing option for your mobile.
Later, you can learn to download free music from apps and web pages to feed your smartphone with songs that you will later listen to with the music player that you have downloaded. What more could you want?
Sharlene Meriel is an avid gamer with a knack for technology. He has been writing about the latest technologies for the past 5 years. His contribution in technology journalism has been noteworthy. He is also a day trader with interest in the Forex market.
