Launcher for Android smartphones is the key to customization and modifying the user interface of the Android operating system. Many companies ship their smartphones with home-based launchers, which many users don’t like or cannot cope with.
We have handpicked and tried the ten best Android Launcher Apps that go with the style and performance in 2024 and are well-optimized for the latest operating systems. We have tested the following launchers, and they are free to download and use until and unless you want to unlock some premium features.
We know that the Launcher Apps for Android have been available on the Play Store since the beginning. These apps have many beautiful features and modifications that enrich your smartphone user interface.
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Why Use An Android Launcher App?
Android Launcher Apps helps you change the looks of the home screen from icons to colours and font size to style. It has many diverse functions and features that can be customized according to the user’s choice.
It is the best part of an Android-based smartphone, where customization is the central aspect of the entire ecosystem. Here, Android Launcher apps can make iOS-based smartphones look puny as they are limited to customization. Since the beginning, smartphone manufacturers have shipped their products with their native Launchers. For example, Xiaomi packs MIUI launchers, which gives them a different look from all the other smartphones and is well optimized; the same goes for other brands.
Best Android Launcher Apps 2024
So far, we have come to know about the features and customizations. Now, let us not waste any time and check the top Android launchers that will give your smartphone a new look.
1. Poco Launcher 2.0 – Best Launcher App For Android
Poco Launcher is the native launcher for Poco smartphones, which is fast and lightweight. Designed for Android phones, it is beautiful and provides high performance. You can set the home screen wallpapers from the home screen and change the icons, font size, and more. The Launcher was selected as one of the 15 best Android apps released in 2018 by Android Authority.
The ability to change the icons and size makes it one of the best launchers for Android, which is free and doesn’t have any premium services. Poco Launcher is free from any advertisement.
2. Nova Launcher – Best Launcher App For Android
It is one of the best and the first Android Launcher apps, with the best customization launcher application features. It has made its way into the app store throughout the years, and with each update, Nova Launcher has made its name in the mobile industry. Customization features include the app’s look and feel, gesture support, themes, icon pack support, and more.
I have been using this launcher for Android for a very long time and even purchased the Nova Launcher Prime to support the developers, but the free version works pretty well. Over the years, the developer team kept updating the app and implemented many new features, which helped fix bugs and errors.
The best thing about Nova Launcher is that you can take a backup of the layouts, icons, etc. and restore it to a new Android device. The restoration process is pretty simple: when you install the Launcher for the first time, it will ask you to restore a previous backup, or from the Nova settings menu, you can convert an old backup. However, remember that the current layout might be removed if you haven’t saved it.
The paid version has features such as gesture controls where you can swipe, pinch, double-tap, etc. Notification badges in numerical or a dot are present in this launcher. Hide certain apps from the launcher, custom swiping actions for app shortcuts and folders.
3. Apex Launcher – Best Launcher App For Android
It is one of the best-customized launcher apps that changes the entire user interface of the stock Android and implements some new features out of the box, which is in good measure. The features like scrolling habits, dock, and transition animations are excellent.
The app launcher for Android has many themes and icon packs that can be downloaded for free and paid from the Google Play Store. One of the unique features of Apex Launcher is that it sorts the application in the app drawer according to the installation date, as per title, or how frequently a particular app has been used.
The paid version of Apex Launcher has some premium features, such as notification counts on app icons, icon gestures, transition effects, customizations, enhanced folder support, etc.
4. ADW Launcher 2 – Best Launcher App For Android
The predecessor of ADW Launcher is now known as the ADW Launcher 2. While the previous version did a fantastic job, the newer version was added with an updated user interface and icons that have been well-optimized for the latest hardware and Android version.
You will find many new features, such as extensions, launcher shortcuts, and other options. The best part of the ADW launcher app is that it has the best customization launcher app that lets you create your widget for the home screen, which comes for free.
5. Microsoft Launcher – Best Free Launcher For Android
The Microsoft Launcher for Android has been a user favourite among many Android Launcher users. It offers a straightforward way to access the stuff on an Android smartphone. Apps like calendar to-do lists and sticky notes are the best features of this Android launcher. With the support of Cortana, the Android smartphone becomes more productive as it helps you read unread text messages, calendar notifications, and much more.
Like Google Assistant, the digital assistant on Microsoft Launcher for Android is an add-on to this app, which stands out as different from others.
The launcher is very helpful for those who have migrated from a Windows-based smartphone; it helps the user get direct access to the calendars, documents, contacts, etc., from a Microsoft account. It also synchronizes all Windows-based devices from desktop to tablet.
6. GO Launcher – 3D parallax Themes & HD Wallpapers – Best Theme Launcher For Android
Go Launcher is one of those launchers that provides tonnes of customizations. The launcher has been at the Play Store for a long time and has over 10,000 themes and 1,00,000 free HD wallpapers. The themes and wallpapers are categorized under games, cartoons, celebrities, anime, etc.
Go Launcher Android has a unique feature that offers screen 3D effects and widgets that can be customized from the home screen to the lock screen.
One of the impressive parts of Go Launcher is that it has an independent 3D Engine built by the developers, making it the fastest Android launcher. It is secure and boosts the transitions quickly, even on a low-end smartphone. Go Launcher is well-optimized for Android tablets.
7. Action Launcher: Pixel Edition – Best Launcher App For Android
Action Launcher offers the best features of a Google Pixel smartphone, where the user interface looks like Pixel Launcher. The app has plenty of customization features that enhance the overall user experience of an Android smartphone.
The best part of Action Launcher is that it lets you import the layouts of Google Now Launcher, Apex Launcher, Nova Launcher, and much more. You can even change the icons using any icon manager.
8. Evie Launcher – Best Free Launcher For Android
This lightweight launcher for Android comes with excellent gesture controls. Evie Launcher multiplies the speed of the launcher and user experience. One of the unique features of this launcher is that you can back up the layout of the launcher to Google Drive.
Evie Launcher has many customization options, including swipe-downs to open notifications, an app-sized personalized interface, and gesture control to open a particular app. Being a free Launcher for Android, this app offers way beyond what its competitors offer.
In an update, Evie developers recently added a new feature that lets users select a search engine from the list they provided, show more local search results, lock the home screen icons, and much more.
Download Evie Launcher
9. Lawnchair Launcher –Â Best Fastest Android Launcher App
Lawnchair launcher is for those users who wish to get the features of a Pixel device. This open-source launcher application has many things to offer for free to the users. Custom ROMs are packed with this Launcher by default, as it is lightweight and fast.
The app gets regular updates under the influence of a volunteer team, where bugs and errors are fixed instantly. Inspired by the Pixel launcher app, it has many similar features and gesture controls that make it a favourite among many users.
The best thing about Google Play Store is that it is listed among the top Android launchers and is free from any advertisement or premium services in the app.
10. Smart Launcher 5 – Best Free Launcher For Android
Smart Launcher is entirely customizable as it supports many paid features, such as searching for contacts, web content, apps, etc., from the home screen.
The launcher supports many themes and icon packs from the app menu; the home screen style and patterns can be changed in numerous ways.
There is a dedicated community for Smart Launcher, where the users help report bugs and ask for new features—one of the reasons for regular updates and support for all the Android APIs and devices.
Benefits of Third-Party Android Launchers?
Third-party Android app launchers have many features and customizations that the default launcher doesn’t provide. Many third-party launcher apps offer to change the home screen style, notification icons, app drawer, etc. There is a large amount of customization available for the end user.
- Ability to change icons.
- Ability to change the fonts.
- Notifications for unread messages.
- Change the wallpaper from the home screen.
With more usage, third-party launcher apps have adopted a new set of environments where the users are provided with the best outcome.
Disclaimer! We have not judged any particular launcher. The selection of the launchers is based on the number of downloads and user feedback. You can try any other launcher according to your wish.
Which is the Best Launcher App For Android?
Selecting a particular launcher app for Android creates considerable confusion among all Android smartphone users. If we talk about the best, we will choose Nova and Poco launchers, which are fast and meet our needs.
On the other hand, Microsoft Launcher offers many customizations and the ability to sync the Microsoft account directly to access calendars, contacts, etc., which is notably good. But, if you are a fan of themes and HD wallpapers, then Go Launcher would suit you the best. Ultimately, we cannot say which is the perfect launcher for Android. It all depends on the user’s choice and demands.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Android launcher can significantly enhance your device’s functionality and aesthetics. Whether you prioritize customization, productivity, or a seamless ecosystem, the above options provide a range of features to cater to diverse user preferences.
FAQs
- Can I revert to the default launcher after installing a third-party launcher?
- Yes, you can switch back to the default launcher by going to your device settings, selecting “Apps,” and choosing the default launcher.
- Do launchers affect device performance?
- While some launchers may have additional features that could impact performance, many are designed to be lightweight and efficient.
- Can I use custom icon packs with these launchers?
- Yes, most launchers support custom icon packs, allowing you to further personalize your device’s appearance.
- Are these launchers compatible with all Android devices?
- These launchers are generally compatible with a wide range of Android devices, but checking compatibility on the respective launcher’s page on the Play Store is advisable.
- Can I uninstall a launcher after installing it?
- Yes, you can uninstall a launcher like any other app. However, uninstalling a launcher may reset some of your customization settings.