Poweramp
A highly configurable Android music player for local files, with a deep equalizer and audio tuning
by Max MP · listed Oct 19, 2026
Quick verdict
Worth installing if you play your own files and like adjusting how they sound. The 15-day trial lets you test it properly, but if you only stream music or want something simple, it is more than you need.
Best for Android users with a local music collection who want detailed control over equalization, output quality and the look of the player.
Facts last verified Oct 19, 2026. How we review
Poweramp review
Poweramp is a music player for Android that plays audio files stored on your phone or SD card rather than streaming from an online service. It handles common formats including FLAC, and offers a detailed equalizer, tone controls, gapless playback, crossfade, ReplayGain and support for higher-resolution output on compatible devices. It is for people who keep their own music library and want fine control over how it sounds and how the player looks.
Why we picked it: It has been a go-to local player on Android for years, and its audio settings and skin support go well beyond what most stock players offer.
Watch out for: It does not stream music, the number of settings can feel overwhelming at first, and continued use after the trial requires buying the full version.
What we like
- Detailed equalizer with graphic and parametric modes, plus separate bass and treble
- Handles many formats, including FLAC, opus and DSD, with hi-res output support
- Gapless playback, crossfade and ReplayGain for a smooth listening experience
- Skins, widgets and visualizations let you change how it looks
- Supports Android Auto and Chromecast, and includes a tag editor and lyrics support
What could be better
- Does not stream from online music services
- The number of settings can overwhelm new users
- Full features need a paid unlock after the 15-day trial
- Android only, with no iPhone version
Questions about Poweramp
Is Poweramp free?
The download is free and includes a 15-day trial with all features. After that you need to buy the full version, either through the in-app option or a separate unlocker app.
Does it work offline?
Yes. It plays music files stored on your phone or SD card, so no internet connection is needed for playback. A network is only used for things like fetching album art, playing stream links or casting.
Can I use it with Spotify or other streaming services?
No. Poweramp is built for local files and can play radio streams from .m3u links, but it does not connect to streaming subscriptions.
Which platforms does it support?
Android only. It also works with Android Auto and can cast to Chromecast devices.
Why does it ask for so many permissions?
Most are tied to playing music in the background, reading your media files and showing lock screen controls. The developer lists the reason for each one on the store page, and several, such as the lock screen options, are optional.
From the developer: how Poweramp describes itself
Poweramp plays local music files and radio streams in various formats, including Hi-Res, with powerful Bass/Treble and Equalization controls.
Features === • Audio engine: • supports hi-res output • custom DSP, including updated Equalizer/Tone/Stereo expand, and the Reverb/Tempo effects • unique DVC (Direct Volume Control) mode allowing powerful equalization/bass/tone control without distortion • internal 64bit processing • AutoEq presets • configurable per-output Options • configurable resampler, dither options • opus, tak, mka, dsd dsf/dff formats support • radios/streams in .m3u format • gapless smoothing
• UI: • visualizations (.milk presets and spectrum) • synchronized/plain lyrics • Light and Dark skins included, both with Pro Buttons and Static Seekbar options • as previously, 3rd party skins are available
Other features: - multiband graphical equalizer for all supported formats, built-in and custom presets. Up to 32 bands supported - parametric equalizer mode where each band is added and configured separately - separate powerful Bass/Treble - stereo eXpansion, mono mixing, balance, tempo control, reverb, system MusicFX (if supported by the device) - Android Auto - Chromecast - Direct Volume Control (DVC) for extended dynamic range and really deep bass - crossfade - gapless - replay gain - plays songs from folders and from own library - dynamic queue - lyrics support, including lyrics search via plugin - embed and standalone .cue files support - support for m3u, m3u8, pls, wpl playlists, playlist importing and exporting - downloads missing album art - artist images downloading - custom visual themes, skins available on Play - widgets with an advanced customization - lock screen options - Milkdrop compatible visualization support (and 3rd party downloadable visualizations) - tag editor - audio info with detailed audio processing information - high level of customization via settings
* Android Auto, Chromecast are trademarks of Google LLC.
This version is 15 days full featured Trial. See Related Apps for Poweramp Full Version Unlocker or use Buy option in Poweramp settings to buy the Full Version.
All Permissions in Details : • Modify or delete the contents of your shared storage - to read or modify your media files, including playlists, album covers, CUE files, LRC files on the older versions of Androids • Foreground Service - to be able to play music in the background • Modify system settings; Disable your screen lock; This app can appear on top of other apps - optional - to enable player on the lock screen • Prevent phone from sleeping - to be able to play music in background on old Androids • Full network access - to search for covers and play http streams, for Chromecast • View network connections - to be able to load covers only via wifi • Modify audio settings - to be able to switch audio to speaker • Send sticky broadcast - for 3rd party APIs accessing Poweramp • Access Bluetooth settings - to be able to get Bluetooth parameters on old Androids • Set Volume Key Long Press Listener - optional - to set previous/next track action to volume buttons • Control vibration - to enable vibration feedback for headset button presses • Allow app to send you notifications - optional - to show the playback notification • Allow app to find, connect to, and determine the relative position of nearby devices (Pair with Bluetooth devices; Connect to paired Bluetooth devices) - to be able to get/control Bluetooth output parameters
Text from the app store listing, quoted for reference. Our own take is above.
Reviews (0)
Be the first to review.