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The Best Android Music Apps for 2020

For many, a smartphone is a music player that just happens to have a built-in communication device. Amp up your Android with the best music and podcast apps you can get.

Jordan Minor
 & Jordan Minor Principal Writer, Software

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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Overview

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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

Related:
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  • LiveXLive (for Android)
    Credit: LiveOne
    Best for Curated Channels

    LiveXLive (for Android)

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Excellent curated channels and playlists
      • Deep video well
      • Informative DJs
      • Many podcasts
      • Optional news updates
      • Lets you purchase tickets for in-person or streamed concerts
      • Cumbersome interface
      • Lacks hi-res audio
      • No family plan
      • Lacks lyrics

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    LiveOne shines as one of the most well-rounded streaming music services on the market, featuring live music streams, highly entertaining channels, and numerous podcasts.

    Specs & Configurations

    Free Version Available
    Live Programming
    Non-Music Content
    Learn More LiveOne Review
  • SiriusXM
    Credit: SiriusXM
    Best for Live Satellite Radio

    SiriusXM

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • Many live and curated channels
      • Large buffer to pause and rewind content
      • High-profile exclusive broadcasts
      • Useful TuneStart and alert systems
      • Video shows
      • Generous three-month free trial
      • No true family plan
      • Lacks hi-res audio

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    SiriusXM combines live radio, traditional streaming, and video programming to create a robust audio service for entertainment-hungry listeners.

    Specs & Configurations

    Live Programming
    Non-Music Content
    Learn More SiriusXM Review
  • Spotify

    Spotify

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • Terrific audio quality
      • Cool AI-powered DJ
      • Collaborative playlists and Group Session options
      • Optional desktop app lets you play locally stored audio files
      • Premium accounts let you hear select albums before they're released
      • Student plan includes ad-supported Hulu
      • Free version
      • Slightly pricier than many competing services
      • Only a premium subscriber can start a Jam session

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Spotify leads the streaming music pack with its vast music catalog, countless podcasts, early album access, collaborative playlists, and richer audio quality than ever.

    Specs & Configurations

    Free Version Available
    Non-Music Content
    Song Lyrics
    Learn More Spotify Review
  • Tidal
    Credit: Tidal
    Best for Audio Quality

    Tidal

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • Excellent sound quality
      • Long-form editorial pieces
      • Music-focused podcasts
      • Exclusive backstage content, live streams, and concerts
      • Lyrics
      • Lacks a free listening tier
      • DJ Extension is pricey

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Tidal stands out as one of the best and most unique streaming music services thanks to its large catalog, excellent curated content, and audiophile-friendly sound formats.

    Specs & Configurations

    Hi-Res Audio
    Non-Music Content
    Learn More Tidal Review
  • Amazon Music Unlimited
    Best for People Who Own Amazon Echo Devices

    Amazon Music Unlimited

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Large music and video library
      • Cool AI-generated playlists
      • Karaoke-style lyrics
      • Supports hi-res audio
      • Tight integration with Amazon device family
      • Ad-supported free tier
      • Lengthy 90-day free trial
      • Lacks live radio
      • Paltry discount for Prime members

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Amazon Music Unlimited's feature-rich music, video, and podcast selection makes the streaming service a worthy premium upgrade from the limited jukebox bundled with a Prime subscription.

    Specs & Configurations

    Free Version Available
    Hi-Res Audio
    Song Lyrics
    Get It Now
    Learn More Amazon Music Unlimited Review
  • Deezer
    Best for MP3 Uploads

    Deezer

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Useful free tier on mobile
      • Good crop of original content, including video
      • Live radio and podcasts
      • Lyrics support
      • Lets you upload MP3 files on desktop
      • Free tier on PC is limited to 30-second snippets
      • Mobile apps lack MP3 upload
      • Can't rewind live radio streams
      • Lacks hi-res audio

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Featuring numerous playlists and original video, Deezer is a satisfying middle ground between Spotify's music curation and Tidal's high-fidelity streams.

    Specs & Configurations

    Live Programming
    Non-Music Content
    Song Lyrics
    Get It Now
    Learn More Deezer Review
  • Qobuz
    Credit: Qobuz
    Best for High-Resolution Music Downloads

    Qobuz

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • High-quality lossless and studio-quality audio streaming
      • Streaming and purchasing options
      • Includes album liner notes in PDF form
      • Background articles, guest playlists, and Interviews
      • Well-designed apps for all platforms with Qobuz Connect multi-device control
      • No free account level
      • Lacks social components
      • Missing live stations and podcasts
      • Doesn't support smart speakers

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Qobuz impresses with a large, hi-res music catalog for streaming or purchase across sleek, cross-platform apps with valuable extras such as album liner notes and editorial content.

    Specs & Configurations

    Hi-Res Audio
    Non-Music Content
    Learn More Qobuz Review
  • YouTube Music
    Best for Music Videos

    YouTube Music

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Lets you easily switch between audio and music videos
      • Many music discovery tools
      • Cool location- and time-based playlists
      • Can search for songs by lyrics
      • Collaborative playlists
      • Family and student plans
      • Podcast support
      • Lacks hi-res audio
      • Real-time lyrics not available for every song

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    YouTube Music is a robust streaming service that's loaded with official tunes, fan uploads, podcasts, and videos.

    Specs & Configurations

    Free Version Available
    Song Lyrics
    Learn More YouTube Music Review
  • Apple Music (for iPhone)
    Credit: Apple
    Best for Music Videos

    Apple Music (for iPhone)

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • Features more than 100 million tracks
      • Cool video playlists
      • 24/7 Apple Music radio stations and video channel
      • Rich hi-res audio and Dolby Atmos sound
      • Supports lyrics and karaoke
      • Lacks a free version
      • Lossless audio not available on all platforms

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Apple Music’s radio stations, curated playlists, lossless playback, Dolby Atmos support, and excellent music-related content make it one of the best streaming audio services.

    Specs & Configurations

    Hi-Res Audio
    Live Programming
    Non-Music Content
    Song Lyrics
    Learn More Apple Music Review
  • iHeartRadio
    Best for Live Terrestrial Radio

    iHeartRadio

    3.5 Good

    Pros & Cons

      • Many live and curated artist streams
      • Podcasts
      • Informative news articles and event listings
      • Lyrics
      • Free plan
      • Optional family plan
      • iHeartRadio Plus plan lacks a web version
      • Limited listening options for free users
      • Unable to rewind live radio
      • Lacks video and hi-res audio

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    iHeartRadio combines live radio, customizable stations, and podcasts into a fine streaming package, though the service lacks hi-res audio and other cool features that rivals offer.

    Specs & Configurations

    Free Version Available
    Live Programming
    Non-Music Content
    Song Lyrics
    Learn More iHeartRadio Review
The Best Android Music Apps for 2020

Compare Specs

Select Up To 3Select Up To 2
Your Selections
LiveXLive (for Android)

SiriusXM

Spotify

Our Pick
LiveXLive (for Android)
LiveXLive (for Android)
SiriusXM
SiriusXM
Spotify
Spotify
Tidal
Tidal
Amazon Music Unlimited
Amazon Music Unlimited
Deezer
Deezer
Qobuz
Qobuz
YouTube Music
YouTube Music
Apple Music (for iPhone)
Apple Music (for iPhone)
iHeartRadio
iHeartRadio
LiveXLive (for Android)
LiveXLive (for Android)
SiriusXM
SiriusXM
Spotify
Spotify
Rating
4.0 Excellent
4.5 Outstanding
4.5 Outstanding
4.5 Outstanding
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.5 Outstanding
3.5 Good
4.0 Excellent
4.5 Outstanding
4.5 Outstanding
Best For
Best for Curated Channels
Best for Live Satellite Radio
Best for Audio Quality
Best for People Who Own Amazon Echo Devices
Best for MP3 Uploads
Best for High-Resolution Music Downloads
Best for Music Videos
Best for Music Videos
Best for Live Terrestrial Radio
Best for Curated Channels
Best for Live Satellite Radio
Song Lyrics
Non-Music Content
Live Programming
Hi-Res Audio
Free Version Available

Buying Guide: The Best Android Music Apps for 2020

Recommended by Our Editors

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Spotify Will Soon Let You Create AI-Generated 'Personal Podcasts'
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Spotify Launches 20th Anniversary Wrapped for Your Entire Listening History
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Check Out More of Our Favorite Apps

None

About Our Expert

Jordan Minor

Jordan Minor

Principal Writer, Software

My PCMag career began in 2013 as an intern. Now, I'm a senior writer, using the skills I acquired at Northwestern University to write about dating apps, meal kits, programming software, website builders, video streaming services, and video games. I was previously a senior editor at Geek.com and have written for The A.V. Club, Kotaku, and Paste Magazine. I'm the author of the gaming history book Video Game of the Year: A Year-by-Year Guide to the Best, Boldest, and Most Bizarre Games from Every Year Since 1977, and the reason everything you know about Street Sharks is a lie.

The Technology I Use

I use the newest Android and iOS smartphones for testing, but I currently use an iPhone 14 as my personal phone. I just hate that we gave up headphone jacks.

I've always favored gaming laptops over desktops. On that note, I have a 16-inch HP Envy with an Intel Core i9-13900H CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. No matter what machine I’m working on, an alarming amount of my personal and professional life revolves around cloud-synced Google Drive files.

For food subscriptions, my household sticks with CookUnity and HelloFresh for meals. Video streaming is a bit more complicated. While there are too many services to list, we're subscribed to most of the major ones. These days, I find myself drawn to HBO Max's movies and shows, as well as Peacock's reality trash.

I've been a lifelong Nintendo fan, and I sincerely believe the Nintendo Switch will go down as one of the best gaming consoles of all time. It has an unbelievable library of new and old games from Nintendo and third-party companies. The handheld/console hybrid approach makes playing games so much more flexible, a legacy that continues with the Nintendo Switch 2 and Valve’s Steam Deck.

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