2023's Top 10 Best Android launchers
You have more control over your home screen with the top Android launchers.
The best Android launchers make the most of your home screen. With launchers ranging from minimalist skins to those that explode with colour and features, you'll find an incredibly diverse selection of options for personalizing the best Android phones.
With new icons and themes, as well as new features like smart folders and search assistants, these launchers can completely transform the look and feel of your phone. Although Android's appearance changes yearly, numerous launchers are available for your phone. Each of these launchers has been tested in order to determine which performs best. The top Android launchers on the Google Play Store are listed below.
1. NOVA LAUNCHER
Additional Information
|
Category |
Personalization |
|
Version |
8.0.4 |
|
Developer |
TeslaCoil Software |
|
Size |
8 MB |
|
Update on |
19/12/2022 |
|
Requires |
5.0 android Version |
Without mentioning Nova Launcher, a discussion of the best Android launchers is incomplete. You can set your home screen exactly how you want it without affecting performance thanks to Nova Launcher's quick, svelte, and highly customizable design, which balances extensive appearance and utility customizations with a minimal performance impact. There are many options to explore, including folder settings, infinite scrolling, scrollable docks, icon packs, colour themes, and endless scrolling.
For longer than most of us have ever used Android, Nova Launcher has been a significant player in the home screen market. This continued dominance has a straightforward cause. The customizability, practicality, and savviness of Nova are unmatched. With ease and grace, Nova makes your phone look more Pixel-y than a Pixel and more TouchWiz-y than a Galaxy. Additionally, it enables you to create a custom home screen that is both plain and beautiful, stable, and solid.
Nova is able to create all of these beautiful themes and let users create the exact home screen they want thanks to a large feature set that includes simple but incredibly helpful features like subgrid positioning and a reliable backup system. The "import from other launchers" feature on Nova is the most dependable and consistent of any launcher I've tried in the past for users who are just getting used to third-party launchers. Nova can assist you in becoming accustomed to launcher layouts and themes if you want to gradually transition from the default launcher to a customized experience.
Additionally, the launcher recently switched Nova Launcher 7 from the beta to the stable channel so that everyone could benefit from the overhaul of settings and launcher appearance that has been in beta for a year. Nova had been beginning to feel a little bloated, but the Nova 7 update has refreshed things so it's easier for new users to jump in while still being as flexible as ever for those of us who are crazily particular about how our home screens are themed.
If you need more features than the free Nov Launcher, you need to download Nov Launcher Prime. The cost of which is around Rs 99 on the Play Store.
2. Niagara Launcher
Additional Information
|
Category |
Personalization |
|
Version |
1.8.9 |
|
Developer |
|
|
Size |
8 MB |
|
Update on |
21/12/2022 |
|
Requires |
5.0 android Version |
A minimalist Android launcher called Niagara puts your apps and notifications front and centre while minimizing other distractions. Your home screen will display notifications, with spam and persistent notifications being automatically filtered out. Your favourite apps are automatically surfaced in the app drawer, which also offers useful alphabetical shortcuts.
Niagara is still a brand-new launcher by launcher standards, having only been around for a couple of years, but it already has a devoted following for being a lightning-fast launcher that works well with low-memory devices. Since it only has one layout, creating themes for it is also absurdly easy. One or more widgets can be positioned at the top, The rest of your apps can be accessed by simply sliding along the A-Z alphabet on the right or left side of the screen. You have a Quicklist for your favourite apps.
Niagara has both one-column and two-column setups you can use to quickly navigate to your next app and get back to work. Niagara Launcher was very quick to adapt its minimalist launcher into a big-screen-friendly launcher. Niagara Launcher is a pretty great solution if all you want to do is locate your apps quickly and move on with your day. If you remember Nokia's experimental launcher from years ago, the Z Launcher, it reminds me a little bit of that, but I think this launcher will stick around for a while.
3. Smart Launcher 6
Additional Information
|
Category |
Personalization |
|
Version |
6.1 |
|
Developer |
|
|
Size |
17 MB |
|
Update on |
26/12/2022 |
|
Requires |
4.20 android Version |
With its straightforward "flower" favourites grid and organized app folder, Smart Launcher has long been a favourite for the best Android launcher. Smart Launcher 6, the most recent version, has many new features and improvements.
I used to love Nova as my launcher of choice, but Smart Launcher 6 (opens in a new tab) stole my heart in 2018 and I haven't found anything else that works quite as well for my setup of choice for themes. Once your categories are set up the way you want them, the categorical app drawer is superior to a single large A-Z sort, and the double-tap app shortcuts don't obstruct gesture navigation or swiping between the app drawer and home screen screens the way they do on Nova, Action, and pretty much every other launcher in existence.
Whichever launcher you choose, the beauty of trying one out is that they all have a free tier that enables you to get a good sense of how it works before you unlock additional features with Pro upgrades. If you have a launcher that you absolutely adore, you should without a doubt purchase the pro key or make a donation to the developers so that they can maintain and update it. Developers also need to eat.
The benefit of trying out a launcher, regardless of which one you select, is that they all have a free tier that enables you to get a good understanding of how it functions before you unlock additional features with Pro upgrades. If you have a launcher that you adore, you should unquestionably buy the pro key or give the developers a donation so that they can support and update it.
The flower grid from Smart Launcher is still available, but it is now joined by a number of other thoughtful layouts made to keep your favourite apps close at hand. Smart search and an intelligently sorted and customizable app drawer also make it simple to locate anything you need, whether it is on your phone or online. The package also includes fully resizable widgets, adaptive icons and colours, and additional customizations, making it a fantastic update to a vintage launcher.
4. AIO Launcher
Additional Information
|
Category |
Personalization |
|
Version |
4.6.0 |
|
Developer |
|
|
Size |
31.68 MB |
|
Update on |
21/11/2022 |
|
Requires |
5.0 android Version |
AIO Launcher is all about cramming as much information as you can on your screen in a relatively sparse format, in contrast to other launchers which may offer up decluttering visual customizations. The app shows information about your system, frequently used apps, recent calls, messages, and emails, as well as upcoming calendar events and more.
AIO Launcher is free, but in-app purchases grant access to extra features like widget support, app icons, and home screen stream notifications for Android. Although it doesn't have the friendliest user interface among the best Android launchers, it's still a good option if information density isn't a deal-breaker for you.
5. Hyperion Launcher
Additional Information
|
Category |
Personalization |
|
Version |
4.6.0 |
|
Developer |
|
|
Size |
5 MB |
|
Update on |
21/11/2022 |
|
Requires |
5.0 android Version |
This Pixel-like Android launcher app from the developers of the well-known Substratum theming engine offers a wide range of settings for you to customise.
Users can customise a wide range of settings for themes, folders, transparencies, animations, icon packs, and adaptive icons in addition to the standard wallpapers and widgets. Many of Hyperion's features are available for free, but some, like launcher-level font adjustments and custom gestures, require an in-app purchase for the Pro version.
6. Action launcher
Additional
Information
|
Category |
Personalization |
|
Version |
4.6.0 |
|
Developer |
|
|
Size |
18.7 MB |
|
Update
on |
09/08/2022 |
|
Requires |
5.0 android Version |
One of the first major third-party launchers to give itself a Pixel makeover was Action Launcher Pixel Edition, which combined its extensive customizability with the new interface features and styles made available with the Pixel Launcher.
Action Launcher has an adaptive app bar, a Google search bar in the shape of a pill, and Oreo-style app shortcuts (backwards compatible with Android 5). An app library and widgets are easily accessible to users thanks to a slide-out app drawer. Speedy access is made possible by unique gestures like "covers" and "shutters." Quick is the watchword for both Action Launcher and its users. The quick theme, Quickdrawer, Quick page, and Quickbar are examples of this. Action Launcher has made it a point to be one of the most customizable launchers available so that it can be the quickest and best launcher for users who want to set everything up exactly how they want it.
Action Launcher makes it simple to get the home screen you want thanks to its strong gesture controls and widely used Covers and Shutters to conceal folders and widgets under app icons. You can now set Material palette colours or unique hex code colours to get a more unified look if Quicktheme's colour scheme falls short. This much-anticipated feature makes Action Launcher significantly more useful for live wallpaper.
The keyword for Action Launcher and its users is quick. Examples of this include Quicktheme, Quickdrawer, Quick page, and Quickbar. To be the fastest and best launcher for users who want to set everything up exactly how they want it, Action Launcher has made it a point to be one of the most customizable launchers out there.
With its powerful gesture controls and widely used Covers and Shutters to hide folders and widgets beneath app icons, it makes it simple to create the home screen you desire. If Quicktheme's colour scheme falls short, you can now set colours from the Material palette or specific hex codes to achieve a more cohesive appearance. Action Launcher is significantly more practical for live streaming thanks to this eagerly awaited feature.
Action Launcher chooses the dominant colours in your wallpaper automatically and modifies the backgrounds of the app drawer, folders, and search box to match.
7. Modified Pixel Launcher
Additional Information
|
Category |
Personalization |
|
Version |
7.1.1 |
|
Developer |
|
|
Size |
21.5 MB |
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Update
on |
06/06/2022 |
|
Requires |
5.0 android Version |
Customized Pixel Launcher (CPL), a free app based on the Rootless Launcher project, is yet another outstanding launcher resulting from efforts to make features of the Pixel Launcher available to all Android users.
The CPL launcher has rounded edges, notification dots, and badges similar to the stock Pixel launcher, but it also supports themes, icon packs, adaptive icons, gesture controls, and font customization. Although you'll need to install an additional app (opens in a new tab) from GitHub to get the Google feed to work on CPL, it also supports the At A Glance widget and Assistant features.
8. Apex Launcher
Additional Information
|
Category |
Personalization |
|
Version |
7.1.1 |
|
Developer |
|
|
Size |
17 MB |
|
Update
on |
04/10/2022 |
|
Requires |
5.0 android Version |
Another top-notch Android launcher that strikes a good balance between features and performance, Apex Launcher lives up to its name.
The ability to customise the home screen grid size with up to nine screens and a scrollable dock with up to five pages are among the essential features. Even more, customization is added by infinite scrolling, transition animations, a variety of folder styles, and a variety of app drawer styles.
More options are unlocked in Apex Launcher's paid version, including additional drawer options, additional gestures, and theme support. I paid RS. 590 for that download.
9. Poco Launcher
Additional Information
|
Category |
Personalization |
|
Version |
2.7.5 |
|
Developer |
|
|
Size |
15 MB |
|
Update
on |
08/09/2022 |
|
Requires |
5.0 android Version |
The new Xiaomi Mi 11 and other Xiaomi phones might not be widely available in the US, but you can download a free version of the Poco Launcher from the Google Play Store to try it out. With an app drawer that includes clever category tabs that automatically group apps into categories like Communication and Photography, the Poco Launcher departs from Xiaomi's customary design sensibilities.
The launcher provides customizable notification badges, icon packs, transition effects, and screen layouts. Although it doesn't provide as many extensive customization options as competing launchers, it does have a nice appearance and is made to be fairly simple. Dark mode support and the capability to lock your phone by tapping the screen are also recent additions. Poco Launcher, according to Xiaomi, is compatible with Android 10.
10. Microsoft Launcher
Additional Information
|
Category |
Personalization |
|
Version |
7.2.5 |
|
Developer |
|
|
Size |
21 MB |
|
Update
on |
18/11/2022 |
|
Requires |
5.0 android Version |
The excellent Arrow Launcher was renamed into the Microsoft Launcher by Microsoft, which also worked to enhance the communication between your Android phone and Windows PC.
Users can quickly take photos with their phones and view them on their desktops. They can also open web links from their phones in Edge on their PCs or begin editing Office 365 documents on their PC and continue with their phones while they are on the go.
You'd assume that if Microsoft was going to release an Android launcher, it would look like Windows 10 or perhaps the old Windows Phone, but you'd be wrong. Microsoft Launcher is an entirely native Android experience.
but it's a high-end, constantly updated launcher. It's one of the few apps outside of Nova Launcher to support subgrid positioning and edge-to-edge widgets.
The Microsoft Launcher interface consists of a simple home screen, a smart page to the left, your daily phone usage, and any Android widgets you choose to add. Even if you're not familiar with the Microsoft ecosystem, having a page of scrolling widgets is preferable to having them spread out over three to four pages. Although the settings for this launcher are a little awkward, it has all the launcher options you could possibly need.
Even though Microsoft Launcher isn't quite as straightforward as Niagara Launcher or Smart Launcher 6, it's still a fairly lightweight launcher that's worth taking into consideration, especially if you depend in any way on Microsoft's ecosystem for your professional, academic, or personal needs. The Microsoft Launcher is yet another excellent choice for owners of foldable phones, even though it was created for the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 rather than the Z Fold series.
Conclusion: Best Android Launcher in 2023 - The Android Customizer
