Vanilla Music review
A focused Android player for local music, playlists, and library browsing.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Vanilla Music is a free, GPLv3-licensed local music player for Android. It is aimed at listeners who want to browse and play audio stored on their device rather than use a desktop player or a service-centered music app. Its library can be grouped by artist, album, or genre, and filesystem browsing offers another way to find tracks. Multiple playlists and support for MP3, OGG, FLAC, and PCM cover core local listening needs. The project is open source, with source code linked from its project site.
The feature set is centered on playback and library management. ReplayGain support, cover art, and headset and Bluetooth controls add practical playback options, while scrobbling support connects listening activity with services through Simple Last.fm Scrobbler and Scrobble Droid. Playlists can be imported and exported using M3U files, which is useful for listeners who organize collections outside the app. This makes Vanilla Music a fit for Android users who value local files and straightforward control; it is less suited to people looking for a broader music platform or desktop and iOS support.
Distribution is an important consideration: the project README says the app was removed from Google Play under the original developer’s account in June 2024. The official site links to F-Droid and to nightly builds described as testing-only, so prospective users should consider those channels and the community support model before choosing it. Vanilla Music makes sense for someone comfortable with an open-source Android app and its available distribution routes. Those who require Google Play availability, a different mobile platform, or non-community support should look elsewhere.
Vanilla Music pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Browse music by artist, album, genre, or filesystem
- Supports ReplayGain, headset and Bluetooth controls, and cover art
- Import and export playlists as M3U files
- Where it doesn't
- Available for Android only
- The README says it left Google Play under the original developer’s account in June 2024
- Support is community-based
Vanilla Music fact sheet, pricing and score →
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