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Choose Metrolist if your priority is a Material 3 Android player that signs in to YouTube Music, synchronizes your library, supports background playback and downloads, and offers synced lyrics and detailed audio controls. Its maintainers currently describe it as being in maintenance mode, so expect bug fixes and small improvements rather than major new features.
Choose RiMusic if multilingual menus, switchable interface styles, listening statistics, a visualizer, lyric editing, playlist exchange, Android Auto or Android TV matter more. However, the original RiMusic repository was reported archived on March 30, 2025, so verify the fork, build date and release channel before depending on it. Both apps are unofficial Android clients that stream from YouTube Music; neither has an iPhone version.
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Metrolist and RiMusic are open-source Android applications that use YouTube Music as their music source instead of providing an independent catalog. They are alternatives to the official YouTube Music app for listeners who want different interfaces, offline behavior, lyrics tools or playback controls. Because both depend on YouTube Music, availability in your country, network access and changes to the service can affect either client.
Neither comparison has a published, independent test proving a winner for speed, battery life, streaming reliability or audio quality. The practical choice therefore comes from documented features, account behavior, project continuity and the devices you need to support.
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Which app is better for your priorities?
| Your priority | Better fit | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube Music account and library synchronization | Metrolist | Its documented feature set includes Google-account login and synchronization with YouTube Music. |
| Material 3 design and dynamic, light, dark or black themes | Metrolist | The interface is built around Material 3 and offers several theme modes. |
| Many interface languages | RiMusic | RiMusic describes itself as multilingual and supports switchable RiMusic- and ViMusic-style layouts. |
| Listening statistics and a visualizer | RiMusic | Both are explicitly listed in its feature set. |
| Lyric editing or translation | RiMusic | It lists lyric fetching, editing and translation; Metrolist lists synced lyrics and AI-powered translation. |
| Android Auto or Android TV | RiMusic | Those integrations are explicitly documented for RiMusic, while the cited Metrolist feature list does not document them. |
| Established account-based library workflow | Metrolist | Login, library management and YouTube Music synchronization are central documented functions. |
| Project continuity | Neither has a clear long-term advantage | Metrolist is in maintenance mode; the original RiMusic repository was reported archived, although a fork may differ. |
What does Metrolist offer?
Metrolist is aimed at people who want a familiar streaming client with deep playback controls and a YouTube Music account connection. Its documented functions cover music and video streaming, background playback, caching and downloads for offline use, search, personalized quick picks and full library management.
Account and library features
You can log in with a Google account and synchronize playlists and library content with YouTube Music. Metrolist also supports local and imported playlists, so you can keep collections that are not necessarily stored in the online account. A listen-together function, Last.fm scrobbling and Discord Rich Presence extend the app beyond basic playback.
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Playback and audio controls
- Background playback continues when the screen is off or another app is in the foreground.
- Downloads and cache provide offline listening.
- Skip silence removes silent sections where the source permits it.
- A sleep timer stops playback after a chosen interval.
- Audio normalization reduces large volume differences between tracks.
- Tempo and pitch controls change playback speed or musical pitch.
- An equalizer and crossfade provide additional listening customization.
Lyrics, appearance and convenience
Metrolist lists live synchronized lyrics and AI-powered lyric translation. Its Material 3 interface supports dynamic, black, light and dark themes. A home-screen widget provides playback controls without opening the application.
What does maintenance mode mean for Metrolist?
The official project statement says: “Metrolist is currently in maintenance mode. This means we will only be fixing bugs and making minor improvements. Please do not submit PRs for new features or major changes, as they will not be accepted.” In practical terms, the current feature set is more important than a promise of rapid expansion.
Maintenance mode does not automatically mean that playback or downloads are broken. It does mean you should evaluate the version available today, keep a backup of important playlists and avoid choosing Metrolist solely because you expect a particular future integration. You may still receive fixes, but major redesigns and substantial new capabilities are not the project’s stated direction.
What does RiMusic offer?
RiMusic describes itself as a multilingual Android application for streaming music from YouTube Music and states that it does not collect any data. Its emphasis is customization, discovery and control over local playlists and presentation.
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Interface and discovery
- Multiple interface languages.
- A choice between RiMusic- and ViMusic-style interfaces.
- Customizable themes.
- News, mood and genre feeds.
- New-album discovery.
- Listening statistics and an audio visualizer.
Playlists and offline playback
RiMusic can automatically cache content with a custom cache size and can download individual songs or complete playlists for offline playback. Playlist import, export and sharing make it easier to move collections between installations or exchange them with another person. This is a different emphasis from Metrolist’s documented account synchronization: RiMusic highlights portable playlist files and local sharing rather than a YouTube Music library mirror.
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Lyrics and playback controls
The feature list includes lyric fetching, editing and translation. Playback options include a sleep timer, volume, speed, pitch, normalization and skip-silence controls. YouTube video support is also listed, allowing the client to handle video-based entries in addition to ordinary music playback.
Large-screen and vehicle support
RiMusic explicitly lists Android Auto and Android TV support, as well as widgets. If your listening routine includes a car head unit or television, these documented integrations make RiMusic the more obvious candidate to investigate first.
Is RiMusic still maintained?
The original RiMusic repository’s continuity is uncertain. AlternativeTo reports that the GitHub repository was archived on March 30, 2025 and labels the project discontinued, quoting a notice that the developer would no longer support it. That status applies to the original repository; a community fork can have a different maintainer, release cadence and codebase.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteBefore installing RiMusic, identify the exact repository or distribution channel, inspect its latest release date and read its own issue and maintenance notices. Do not assume that an APK carrying the RiMusic name has the same support status as the archived project. This check is especially important if you need dependable Android Auto behavior, long-term account access or regular security fixes.
How do offline downloads and caching differ?
Both clients support offline listening, but the documented workflows differ. Metrolist combines downloads with a cache and presents those functions alongside YouTube Music account synchronization. RiMusic documents an automatic cache with a user-defined size plus explicit downloads for songs and playlists.
| Offline question | Metrolist | RiMusic |
|---|---|---|
| Can tracks be downloaded? | Yes; downloads are listed for offline use. | Yes; songs and playlists can be downloaded. |
| Is caching documented? | Yes; download and cache are listed. | Yes; automatic cache with custom size is listed. |
| Best match for account-linked library use | Metrolist | Not the primary emphasis in the cited feature list. |
| Best match for controlling cache capacity | Capacity detail not stated in the cited material. | Custom cache size is explicitly listed. |
Offline files do not remove the dependency on YouTube Music for discovering or obtaining new content. If access to YouTube Music is blocked on your network, the initial login, search or download process may fail even though already cached material exists on the device.
Which app has better lyrics and audio controls?
Metrolist is stronger if you want lyrics synchronized to playback and a broad set of conventional audio controls, including equalizer and crossfade. RiMusic is stronger if you want to edit or translate fetched lyrics yourself and adjust volume, speed, pitch, normalization and skip silence from a highly configurable interface.
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- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
| Capability | Metrolist | RiMusic |
|---|---|---|
| Synchronized lyrics | Explicitly listed | Lyrics fetching is listed; synchronization is not specifically stated |
| Lyric translation | AI-powered translation listed | Translation listed |
| Lyric editing | Not stated | Explicitly listed |
| Equalizer | Explicitly listed | Not stated |
| Crossfade | Explicitly listed | Not stated |
| Speed or tempo and pitch | Tempo and pitch listed | Speed and pitch listed |
| Normalization and skip silence | Both listed | Both listed |
Do either app work on iPhone?
No. The cited Metrolist site explicitly says it is Android-only, and RiMusic is described as an Android application. An iPhone user therefore needs a different client or the official YouTube Music options; installing either of these projects on iOS is not a supported path described by the projects.
What Android phone and account requirements apply?
You need an Android smartphone or another compatible Android device. Both applications require network access to stream from YouTube Music, and Metrolist’s documentation warns that regional YouTube Music availability may require a VPN or proxy where the service is blocked. A VPN or proxy does not guarantee that every account or feature will work, and neither project provides a universal regional-availability promise.
Metrolist’s account-linked features require signing in with a Google account. RiMusic’s listed workflow centers on streaming, cache, downloads and playlist import/export; the cited material does not establish equivalent YouTube Music library synchronization. Check the current release notes for Android-version requirements before installation because the supplied project descriptions do not state a minimum Android version.
How should you install and evaluate one safely?
- Choose the project first. Select Metrolist for account synchronization and Material 3 playback, or RiMusic for multilingual customization, statistics, lyrics editing and Android Auto or TV.
- Verify the release source. Use the project’s current official release channel or a clearly identified fork. For RiMusic, confirm whether the build comes from a maintained fork because the original repository was reported archived.
- Check regional access. Confirm that YouTube Music can be reached from your location. Metrolist specifically warns that a VPN or proxy may be needed where the service is blocked.
- Install on an Android device. Review the release’s stated Android requirements and permissions before accepting the installation.
- Test without risking your main library. Play several tracks, lock the screen, try a download, restart the app and check whether lyrics and search behave as expected. Import a small playlist before moving a large collection.
- Test the integrations you actually need. If you drive, test Android Auto; if you use a television, test Android TV; if you rely on account synchronization, confirm that edits appear where you expect them.
- Keep a recovery path. Export playlists where supported, retain copies of important lists and avoid deleting the official app until the replacement performs all essential tasks.
What problems are most likely, and how can you diagnose them?
Search, login or playback fails
First test YouTube Music access in a browser or the official application on the same network. If that service is unavailable in your region, the client may fail for the same reason. Check account credentials, network filtering and any VPN or proxy configuration before reinstalling.
Downloads do not play offline
Confirm that the track finished downloading rather than merely entering the cache, then test with connectivity disabled. Check available storage and the app’s cache or download settings. RiMusic documents a custom cache size, while the cited Metrolist material does not state a numeric capacity, so the controls may differ by build.
Lyrics are missing or unsynchronized
Lyrics depend on the source and on a matching recording. Try another version of the song, refresh the lyric request and verify that the selected track is not a live or alternate recording. RiMusic’s editing tools can help correct text; Metrolist’s documented strength is synchronized display and translation.
A car or television integration is unavailable
RiMusic explicitly lists Android Auto and Android TV, but compatibility can still depend on the installed release and device. Metrolist’s cited README does not document those integrations, so do not assume they are present simply because ordinary Android playback works.
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Which one should you choose?
Pick Metrolist when reliability of the documented account workflow matters more than new features. It combines YouTube Music login and synchronization, Material 3 presentation, background playback, offline downloads, synced lyrics, equalizer and crossfade in a coherent Android client. Accept that its own maintainers have limited the project to maintenance work.
Pick RiMusic when you value language coverage, interface switching, visual feedback, listening statistics, editable lyrics, playlist portability or Android Auto and Android TV. Treat the original repository’s reported archive as a due-diligence warning: locate a maintained fork and confirm its release history before making it your only music app.
If neither project satisfies a non-negotiable requirement, keep the official YouTube Music app available as a fallback. Both clients are dependent on an external service, and neither has a documented iOS edition or a published performance comparison that establishes a universal winner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same YouTube Music playlists in both apps?
Metrolist documents Google-account login and synchronization with YouTube Music. RiMusic documents playlist import and export, so moving a playlist may require an export/import step rather than automatic two-way synchronization; test with a small list first.
Does RiMusic collect personal data?
The RiMusic README states that RiMusic does not collect any data. That statement describes the project’s own application behavior; YouTube Music access, network providers and any VPN or proxy remain separate services with their own data practices.
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Will cached music survive an app update or reinstall?
The supplied project descriptions do not guarantee cache preservation across updates or reinstalls. Export playlists and treat cached files as disposable until you have confirmed the behavior of your exact build.
Can I run either client without a YouTube Music account?
The documented feature lists do not establish identical account requirements. Metrolist’s synchronization features require Google-account login, while RiMusic emphasizes streaming, caching and playlist files; check the current release instructions for the access mode you intend to use.
Where should I report a bug in an archived RiMusic build?
Use the issue tracker or contact method belonging to the exact fork or release channel you installed. The original repository’s reported archive means an old issue page may no longer represent an active maintainer.
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