Key Takeaways
- Android launchers are a staple of the platform, and there are plenty of options to choose from.
- For fans of home screen customization, third-party launchers are your best friend.
- Some launchers focus on simplicity, others are purpose-built for gaming, and still others try something else entirely.
Third-party home screen launchers are one of the oldest and most useful staples of the Android operating system. In short, they’re apps that provide an alternative take on the main app-launching interface, and they often feature an extensive suite of options for customization lovers.
Part of what makes home screen launchers such a robust solution is their interoperability — regardless of whether you’re rocking a Samsung Galaxy, a Google Pixel, or another Android-based brand entirely, you can download and install a diverse set of launchers, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
In short, launchers are apps that provide an alternative take on the main app-launching interface, and they often feature an extensive suite of options for customization lovers.
I’ve been using various launchers for a number of years now, and many of my favorite options are thankfully still being developed and actively supported. Here are the particular Android launchers that rise up above all the rest, or otherwise stand out to me.
1 Nova Launcher
One of the most iconic launchers to ever be released
Nova Launcher / Pocket-lint
By far, the most well-known third-party Android home screen solution has got to be Nova Launcher. It’s been around for seemingly forever, and it’s filled to the brim with customization options.
If you’re a fan of tweaking every corner of your phone’s home screen, app drawer, folders, icons, and more, then Nova Launcher absolutely delivers the goods. I personally go for an app drawer that separates my games from the rest of my installed software library, and have it set to maximum information density.
Nova Launcher
A customizable staple of the third-party Android launcher scene.
Nova Launcher is free to download on the Google Play Store, with an optional ‘Prime’ in-app purchase to unlock all functions.
2 Niagara Launcher
A unique take on the home screen, and one that feels incredibly fluid during use
Peter Huber / Pocket-lint
Niagara Launcher might just be my favorite of them all. Unlike most launchers, which stick with the basic grid-of-apps home screen paradigm, Niagara isn’t afraid to try something new. Thankfully, the resulting product is an absolute resounding success.
The concept is simple: you pin your favorite apps to a vertical list on your home screen, and you quickly access the rest of your installed apps via a scroll bar. The real magic lies in the fact that widgets are supported and somehow feel perfectly at home here, and the beautiful animations and interface design are the cherry on top. It can take a few minutes to get used to the gesture workflow, but once you do, you’ll be flying through the interface at record speed.
Niagara Launcher
A unique and delightful reimagining of the Android home screen.
Niagara Launcher is free to download from the Google Play Store, with a ‘Pro’ in-app purchase needed to unlock some functions.
3 Microsoft Launcher
If you’re a big user of Microsoft services, then this one’s for you
Microsoft / Pocket-lint
These days, Microsoft no longer releases its own Android-based hardware, but the company’s native launcher is still supported on third-party devices. The launcher performs well, is fairly well-refined, and has decent options when it comes to the world of home screen tweaking.
As you’d expect, Microsoft Launcher ties in heavily with various Microsoft services, including Start, Copilot, Bing daily wallpapers, and more. It may be a far cry from the days of Windows Phone and Windows Mobile, but that’s neither here nor there.
Microsoft Launcher
A full-fledged Android launcher from the makers of Windows.
Microsoft Launcher is free to download from the Google Play Store.
4 Lawnchair 14
Marrying a basic and clean Android experience with a sprinkling of more advanced features
David Sn / Pocket-lint
Lawnchair has been around on the Android scene for quite some time, but its latest release — Lawnchair 14 — is currently still in beta. If you’re running an Android phone that has a heavily modified software skin on top, such as Samsung’s One UI, then Lawnchair is an excellent way to unlock a more Pixel-like experience.
Even with its simplicity, there are plenty of customization options here to sink your teeth into. The launcher even comes with its own take on Google’s At a Glance widget, infusing the experience with extra options and preferences.
Lawnchair 14
A streamlined and Pixel-like Android launcher that ads a flair of tweakable settings.
The latest beta release for Lawnchair 14 can be downloaded as an .apk file from the developer’s website.
5 Launcher 10
Windows Phone may be dead, but its core interface lives on through Android
nfwebdev / Pocket-lint
No, I still haven’t gotten over Microsoft’s unceremonious exit from the mobile phone market, and I know I’m not the only one with nostalgia for live tiles and the Metro design language. Thankfully, Launcher 10 is here to scratch that lingering itch, by bridging the gap between the interfaces of both Windows 10 Mobile and Android.
There’s not a lot going on here from a customization standpoint, but the launcher does give you granular control over the look and feel of the tiles themselves. In true Windows Phone fashion, a simple swipe will take you over to an alphabetic list of all your apps, and the home screen tiles can be arranged and resized to your liking.
Launcher 10
A nostalgic trip down memory lane for those of us that loved the Windows Phone user interface.
Launcher 10 can be downloaded for free on the Google Play Store, with an optional in-app purchase to remove ads and unlock additional functions.
6 Beacon Game Launcher
A retro game launcher for emulation that’s a joy to navigate through
Nerds Take Over / Pocket-lint
There are tons of solutions out there when it comes to retro game emulation on Android, but my personal favorite is Beacon Game Launcher. It’s an attractive front-end interface that piggybacks off of your already installed emulator apps.
The user experience has been optimized for landscape orientation and for wireless game controller input, and the entire experience is streamlined and user-friendly. The launcher will automatically scrape for game cover art and additional metadata, which it then presents beautifully on screen.
Beacon
A visually pleasing front-end for all your retro gaming needs.
Beacon Game Launcher is free to download from the Google Play Store.
7 Stario Launcher
A uniquely designed launcher that focuses on both minimalism and productivity
Stario Launcher / Pocket-lint
One of the freshest-feeling launchers I’ve used in a while is Stario, which offers a simplistic interface that strips out much of the fluff. Even with its focus on minimalism, however, its home screen is suitable for productivity — the built-in RSS feed and note-taking screens are simply a joy to use.
I’m a fan of the ‘categories’ view within the app drawer, which draws inspiration from Apple’s App Library. If you prefer the classic Android grid style, it’s thankfully also available as an option here.
Options for customization are somewhat limited, but the launcher does give you control over your accent color, icon packs, as well as the ability to entirely hide applications from view.
Stario Launcher
An elegant and decluttered home screen launcher that focuses on productivity.
Stario Launcher can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store. Best of all, the app has no ads or in-app purchases of any kind.
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