Best, lightest, and most awesome Android launchers
The best, bar none. It’s been a few years since Nova Launcher has been our go-to choice for a custom Android launcher. In late 2019, this still holds true, now even more so. Unlike other apps that have gradually degraded over time, Nova is still going strong, scoring new features and polishing existing ones to the point where it can safely serve as a model of excellence, an exemplar app that everyone should strive to match. What’s most important, Nova Launcher is one of the lightest launchers out there.
That’s why some of the best and most beautiful screenshots of Android interfaces rely on the Nova Launcher backbone — there’s hardly anything you can’t do with this one. In the meantime, it plays quite nicely with almost any hardware you throw it at, providing a snappy and pleasing experience even on older phones.
Lawnchair 2
Dubbed Lawnchair as a tongue-in-cheek joke, this launcher is closely mimicking the appearance and overall functionality of the Pixel launcher found on Google’s Pixel lineup. Unlike the default offering found on Google’s former flagships, Lawnchair is inherently more customizable, though not overwhelmingly so. Lawnchair is also a prime example of a lightweight launcher.
You can change your icon pack, manage the appearance of your home screen by selecting the icon scale and how many columns/rows it should have, define gestures, and tweak a ton of other options. There’s a very customizable Pixel widget on board as well. All of that is sprinkled with a nice amount of snappiness and performance that are on par with Nova Launcher or the regular Pixel launcher.
Hyperion Launcher
Hyperion Launcher is another exceptional offering that gives you the aesthetics of the OG Pixel Launcher with outstanding customizability. The default settings are excellent, but with little tweaking you can easily create your next favorite homescreen. Just like many other launchers, this one also comes with full icon pack support, as well as custom gestures, and much more. What’s more, it’s avery lightweight launcher.
The free version of Hyperion is absolutely enough for regular users, but gestures, further icon customizations including label size, text color, display/hide text shadow, multiple lines for labels, custom launcher font (by importing your own .TTF files), disabling app suggestions from the top of your drawer, two row dock, Google Smart Widget + customizations, and more require the premium version, called Hyperion Supreme. If you happen to like Hyperion, it is worth it.
Microsoft Launcher
Microsoft Launcher
Microsoft’s own Android launcher has steadily established itself as one of the very best Android launchers available on the Play Store. Extremely customizable and feature-rich almost to the point of being overflowing with options. The usual customizable stuff like homescreen layout and theme customization are naturally present.
If you sign in with the same Microsoft account that you use on your desktop computer, you will also be able to customize your queries and ask Cortana personal searches. Signing in with your Microsoft account also allows you to continue where you left off on your desktop computer. Continuity at its best.
Action Launcher
Action Launcher
Chris Lacy’s Action Launcher brings all the aesthetic goodies of Android P to just about any Android device. In the meantime, all the features of the regular Pixel launcher have also been added as optional settings. You also get the At A Glance widget, app shortcuts, and adaptive icon pack suppot, though some of these will cost you a one-time in-app purchase.
Snappy and intuitive, Action Launcher is a great offering that will float the boat of customization-savvy Android fans, though we should mention that it tends to run a tad slower than other launchers in this very piece.
One of its defining features is the Quicktheme feature, which enables you to easily theme your interface to match with your wallpaper. Another neat functionality is Shutters, which enables you to launch an app’s widget by simply flicking up on its icon. The same applies to Covers, a unique take on folders – when you tap on a Cover, you will open the app itself, but swiping up opens a customizable folder with other apps inside.
Smart Launcher 5
Smart Launcher 5
Smart Launcher 5 is a novel take on the launcher business. It uses a tabulated app drawer that separates your apps in categories (Media, Games, Utilities, Intermet, Communication), and others. The launcher supports custom icon packs and automatically adapts the theme in accordance to your wallpaper and any other applied color preferences. The launcher is single-hand-friendly and would automatically sort your apps in the relevant category folders. It’s not necessarily the most lightweight launcher out there, but certainly deserves checking out.