SoundPod is a minimalist music player for people who want streaming without ads and like being able to read the code behind it. It is a free Android app by Arun Nechully, licensed GPL-3.0-only. Below you will find what it does, how it handles playback and lyrics, and what your phone needs.
An open-source project from Arun Nechully
SoundPod comes from Arun Nechully, and its code is public on GitHub at arunnechully/SoundPod. The GPL-3.0-only licence means anyone can read the source and check how the app behaves. The package ID is com.github.soundpod.
It is listed in the apps category with tags for open-source, ambient sound and online media player. It costs nothing and shows no ads. The first release came out on March 29, 2026, and the latest update is dated August 27, 2026.
Queue, caching, lyrics and playlists
The core job is streaming music with playback that continues in the background. The queue is persistent, so the list of upcoming tracks is kept. Search covers songs, albums, artists and playlists, and you can bookmark artists and albums for quick access.
Caching is meant for offline playback, and the app can import and manage playlists from local and remote sources. Lyrics can be fetched, shown and edited, in synchronized or static form. Links from YouTube and YouTube Music open directly in the app.
The store description adds a sleep timer, skip silence and audio normalization. It also lists Android Auto support and a service designed to keep background listening running.
Android 6.0, 9.3 MB and a checked file
SoundPod needs Android 6.0 or newer. The download is 9.3 MB, which is small for a streaming app. Version 1.3.6 is the current build on this page.
We host the unmodified APK. Its SHA-256 checksum is e0cca41432595d3a14618f8df7e7f3a40974889c6cdf0ebe64a1cdd24a1c4884, so you can compare it against the file you download.
What's new in 1.3.6
Version 1.3.6 is the current release, last updated on August 27, 2026.
SoundPod pros and cons
Pros
- Free, with no ads
- Open source under GPL-3.0-only, with code on GitHub
- Small download at 9.3 MB
- Background playback with a persistent queue
- Android Auto support and a sleep timer per the store description
Cons
- Streaming relies on publicly accessible APIs, which may vary in reliability
- Offline caching is available, though space for cached tracks depends on the device
- No independent security review is available
Is SoundPod safe?
The file here is unmodified, so you can compare it with the SHA-256 checksum shown on this page. The source is public under GPL-3.0-only, which lets anyone review it independently.
How to install SoundPod
- Download the APK with the button on this page and wait for it to finish.
- Compare the file with the SHA-256 checksum shown here if you want to confirm it arrived intact.
- Open the file on your phone and allow installs from this source when Android asks.
- Finish the install, then open SoundPod from your app drawer.
