8 Beautiful Android Launchers Ever

 

A launcher serves as a fundamental component of the Android user interface. It enables users to initiate applications, access widgets, personalize their home screen, and perform various other functions with ease .

Nevertheless, the default launcher provided with the Android skin on the majority of Android devices may not meet your preferences, particularly if you appreciate customizing your device.

In this regard, utilizing third-party Android launchers is advisable. Essentially, a third-party launcher is an application that substitutes the home screen of your Android device, allowing you to modify its look and functionality without making permanent alterations to the operating system's behavior.

Smart Launcher 6

Highlights:

    Price: Free with in-app purchases.
    Key Features: Sleek interface, intelligent app organization, ultra-immersive mode, gesture and hotkey customization.
    Customization Options: Fonts, themes, app drawers, app icons, widgets.

Smart Launcher 6 has emerged as a popular choice among Android users. It boasts a clean and user-friendly interface that positions frequently used items at the bottom for quick access, facilitating efficient daily tasks .

Nevertheless, Smart Launcher 6 is not short on functionality. In fact, it offers a variety of customization options that allow users to tailor various aspects of their device's user interface, including fonts, themes, app drawers, app icons, and widgets. Additionally, users can set up gestures and hotkeys to streamline various operations.

In terms of advanced features, Smart Launcher 6 includes an automatic app sorting capability, which organizes applications into categories, alleviating the need for manual sorting. It also features an ultra-immersive mode that enhances screen space by concealing the navigation bar.

Furthermore, the launcher provides a smart search function that simplifies the process of locating items such as contacts and applications, as well as executing various tasks, including web searches. It is no surprise that many users regard it as one of the best launchers available for Android .
 Download Smart Launcher 6

Nova Launcher

 Highlights:

    Price: Free; Prime version available for $4.99
    Key Features: Custom icon packs, smooth animations, subgrid positioning, backup and restore functionality
    Customization Options: Layout, icons, gestures, animations, themes

Nova Launcher is a hallmark of Android customization. It provides users with comprehensive control over the visual and functional aspects of various user interface elements, allowing for a personalized experience. Given its extensive compatibility, Nova Launcher stands out as the premier choice for Android users interested in custom icon packs.

Although it is packed with features, Nova Launcher maintains a user-friendly and responsive interface. The animations are fluid and quick, even on older Android devices, and the settings for various customization options are easily accessible. Additionally, the backup and restore functionality simplifies the process of transferring your home screen setup and launcher settings when switching devices.

What distinguishes Nova from other launchers is its subgrid positioning system, which offers precise control over the layout of icons and home screen widgets. For those looking to fully unlock Nova's capabilities, upgrading to Nova Launcher Prime provides access to advanced gesture options, app drawer groups, custom icon swipe gestures, and the ability to conceal apps from the drawer.

In conclusion, this launcher is ideal for customization enthusiasts seeking complete control over their device's aesthetics and functionality. It is particularly suited for individuals who enjoy fine-tuning their setups. I recommend considering the premium version for an even more enhanced experience.

Download Nova Launcher

Action Launcher 

Highlights:

    Price: Free with in-app purchases
    Key Features: Integration with Google Discover, shutters, covers, quick theme, smart-size icons
    Customization Options: Dock search bar, app icons, folders, gestures

Action Launcher stands out as one of the most customizable Android launchers available. It encompasses all essential features typical of Android launchers, including gesture controls and customization of the drawer, home screen, and dock. Furthermore, it offers a variety of additional functionalities that enable users to tailor their Android experience in great detail.

Among the notable features of Action Launcher are app shortcuts, integration with Google Discover, smart-size icons, adaptive icons, shutters, covers, and a quick theme. The shutters feature allows users to view an app's widget by swiping on its shortcut, providing a preview of notifications, while the covers feature enables users to launch apps, access hidden folders, and perform various actions through simple tap and swipe gestures .

In terms of visual customization, while Action Launcher may not offer as many options as Nova, it still allows for adjustments to the appearance of the dock search bar, app icons, and folders. Additionally, the quick theme feature automatically modifies the colors of home screen elements to align with the colors present in the user's wallpaper.

Bottom Line: Ideal for users seeking extensive customization options along with distinctive features such as shutters and covers. Well-suited for those who appreciate a highly personalized interface .
 Download Action Launcher

 

Niagara Launcher 

Highlights:

    Price: Free with in-app purchases
    Key Features: One-handed operation, wave alphabet scrolling, minimalist design, option to hide bloatware
    Customization Options: App icons, widgets, wallpapers, fonts

Niagara Launcher stands out as a lightweight and minimalist Android launcher. Its primary feature is its minimalistic design, which allows users to easily access various elements on the home screen with one hand. This is particularly beneficial for users with larger Android devices, as it enhances usability and simplifies access to applications and other screen elements.

In terms of app accessibility, Niagara Launcher incorporates wave alphabet scrolling, enabling users to navigate through their app list by simply swiping their finger across the alphabet. Additionally, notifications for incoming messages or alerts appear automatically, facilitating quick access. This design choice contributes to a smooth user experience, free from lags or disruptions in animations and transitions .

Furthermore, Niagara Launcher provides essential personalization features comparable to other launcher applications, allowing users to customize app icons, widgets, wallpapers, and fonts. Users also have the option to conceal bloatware or pre-installed applications, helping to declutter the home screen and prioritize more important items. This results in quicker and more convenient access to preferred applications, with the app drawer organized alphabetically for efficient navigation.
Download Niagara Launcher

Microsoft Launcher

Highlights:

    Price: Complimentary
    Key Features: Integration with Microsoft services, customizable application icons, Bing daily wallpapers, landscape orientation
    Customization Options: Application icons, themes, widgets, wallpapers

Microsoft Launcher is an Android launcher designed with a focus on productivity, allowing users to display all their calendar events, tasks, and notes directly on the home screen for easy access to their schedules. For individuals who heavily utilize Microsoft accounts or services for both professional and personal purposes, this launcher is ideal for enhancing the functionality of their devices.

Additionally, if you are a Windows user who has tailored your news feed with specific sources, you can install Microsoft Launcher on your Android device to replicate that same news feed experience. A notable feature of this launcher is its support for landscape orientation.

Regarding customization, Microsoft Launcher enables users to modify app icons on their home screen, select between light and dark themes, and automatically update wallpapers from Bing on a daily basis. Furthermore, users can personalize widgets to create a single scrollable page dedicated to all widgets, rather than distributing them across multiple pages, thereby enhancing accessibility .

Bottom Line: This launcher is particularly suitable for users who depend on Microsoft services and seek a productivity-oriented solution. It is an excellent choice for those desiring seamless integration with their work tools, and it is entirely free.
Download Microsoft Launcher 

ARC Launcher

Highlights:

    Price: Free with advertisements
    Key Features: Themes, resource management, quick toggles, system monitoring
    Customization Options: Home screen themes, game folders, system toggles

For those in search of a gaming launcher, ARC Launcher stands out as an excellent choice. Its design caters specifically to gamers, offering a variety of themes that can be added at no cost if the default options do not meet your preferences. Users can conveniently place their favorite games on the home screen for immediate access, manage and optimize RAM and CPU usage, and monitor system resource consumption.

A notable feature of this launcher is the availability of quick toggles, such as power saver and torch, along with the capability to display toggle information directly on the home screen, eliminating the need to scroll to check the current WiFi connection.

Nevertheless, a significant drawback is the presence of advertisements. These ads tend to appear promptly after certain actions, such as modifying launcher settings or customizing screen elements, and they may also surface during regular phone usage. While this may be tolerable, the frequency of the ads can be quite irritating .

In conclusion, this launcher is designed for gamers seeking swift access to their games, system optimization, and gaming-themed personalization. Users should anticipate some advertisements, but it remains a valuable tool for managing system resources and accessing essential features quickly.
 Download ARC launcher

 

Minimalist Launcher:

Highlights:

    Price: Free with in-app purchases
    Key Features: User-friendly interface, limited home screen applications, battery and widget functionalities
    Customization Options: Color selections, battery widgets, application shortcuts

Minimalist Launcher is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a straightforward and uncluttered experience. Minimalism, as a concept, emphasizes simplicity and prioritizing essential elements.

In recent years, smartphones have evolved into significant sources of distraction, with many launchers emphasizing an abundance of features. In contrast, Minimalist Launcher prioritizes a select few functionalities, allowing only two applications on the home screen in its free version. This limitation is cleverly transformed into a beneficial aspect .

Does this impact performance and usability? It largely depends on individual usage patterns. Accessing all applications is still possible by swiping up to the right, although it introduces a slight friction, which aligns with the overall theme. The launcher offers various color options; for an optimal experience, it is recommended to select either white or solid black. The battery and widget functionalities enable users to monitor battery percentage and additional information.

Conclusion: This launcher is perfect for users desiring a simple, distraction-free interface with fundamental features. It is particularly suited for those aiming for a digital detox and reduced app clutter .

Download Minimalist Launcher

Square Launcher: 

Highlights:

    Price: Free with in-app purchases
    Key Features: Customizable tiles, 3D-style tiles, seamless performance, extensive customization options
    Customization Options: Tiles, icons, widgets, tile dimensions, color schemes

Square presents a distinctive approach to the launcher experience, reminiscent of the Windows Phone interface with its square tiles on the home screen. A notable feature of this application is the ability to add applications, shortcuts, contacts, and widgets directly to the home screen for convenient access, allowing users to arrange the tiles according to their preferences, thereby emulating the Windows 10 aesthetic.

By swiping on the home screen, users can access the app drawer, which adheres to the square design theme. Additionally, users can incorporate their recent images into the photos section and showcase them on the home screen.

This launcher provides a significant degree of customization, enabling users to modify tiles, icons, widgets, and more. Furthermore, its performance is both fast and smooth; during my testing, I encountered no issues. After using it for a day, I found it to be reliable. Typically, Windows tile interfaces may experience delays due to multiple functions operating simultaneously on the home screen, but this launcher does not exhibit such problems.

In conclusion, this launcher is ideal for users who appreciate a Windows Phone-like interface with customizable tiles and efficient performance, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a distinctive user experience.
 Download Square launcher