There are many different types of Android launcher apps. If you don’t like the way your home screens look, you can download an app to change them. You can do many different things with these apps. There are two ways you can make your Android phone look different. You can use a Google-style launcher or one that is very different from Google’s. These are the best ones.
We would list the Google Pixel Launcher. It is only available for Pixel devices. We also have a launcher called Win-X Launcher that people love. It is different from a Windows computer. It can be used to do things that you might not have been able to do with a regular computer.
Action Launcher
Action Launcher has been a favorite Android launcher of our readers. It is like the stock Android feel, but it has some extra features that make it different from other launchers. QuickTime lets you customize the colors on your phone, based on the wallpaper. Shutters is a downloadable app on your phone. It lets you see apps without setting them on the home screen. You can change the app’s theme and customize it to make it feel more like Android Oreo. Shutters also have icon pack support and there are frequent updates. The app drawer is configurable too!
AIO Launcher
AIO Launcher is different than most Android launcher apps. It does not have the regular home screen. Instead, it has a list of things that you might want to see, like your latest SMS or missed call, what songs are playing on your media player, and more. AIO Launcher is a good app because it looks different from other apps. The free version has most of the features that you would want. It costs $1.99 for the full version, which is not as much as other apps.
Apex Launcher
Apex Launcher has been around for a very long time and remains one of the most iconic Android launcher applications ever. Like Action Launcher, it aims to give a stock Android look and feel with a few extras thrown in for good measure. Among those include the ability to alter things like transition animations, scrolling habits, Apex Launcher is the best app for phones. It has a dock where you can put your favorite apps. The app looks different now because it changed in 2018.
APUS Launcher
The APUS Launcher is a fun app. You can customize it if you like. There are 50,000 pictures and extra themes. It has a news feed where you can find out about the world, an app lock function to keep your apps safe, and more things too! The app is not as light or efficient as the Pixel Launcher-style launchers. It is more colorful and flamboyant. Some people like it that way, but it is a problem for some people because they cannot purchase the app to remove ads.
Hyperion Launcher
Hyperion Launcher is a new kind of Android launcher. It can be used on phones like the Action Launcher and also on phones like the Nova Launcher. It is pretty similar to the default Android launcher which you use when you first get your phone. The only difference with Hyperion is that it has more customization options for things like changing layouts, This app has many features. Themes are one of them. It also supports Google Feed, but it is different from other launchers because you need to download it separately. This app is new, but people say that it is better than other Android launchers already.
Lawnchair Launcher 2
Lawnchair Launcher is an Android launcher that has the look and feel of the Pixel Launcher. It is open-source, which means any fan can download it for free. This launcher includes many features from the Pixel Launcher, but also has some other features too, like support for icon packs and Google Now integration (optional). The original was liked for its stock-like appearance, plus customization features. The developers now call the app Lawnchair 2 and it’s still in beta. It also has some more modern Android features. The app is also free to download.
Lightning Launcher
Lightning Launcher used to be a good android launcher, but now it’s very customizable and lightweight. You can change everything on the home screen, and you can even have different sets of home screens for different occasions. It has a great feature: scripting support. You can use JavaScript to make Lightning do a lot of stuff. There are also other plugins, language packs, and more available for download. The list of features is not very long but they all seem good. The app also has a learning curve but it is worth learning.
Microsoft Launcher
Microsoft Launcher is not a new launcher. It used to be named Arrow Launcher. But it changed its name in 2017 because Microsoft bought the company that made the app. It has many Microsoft services, like notifications and reminders. You can also see your work calendar and email on this app on your phone or tablet if you use a PC by Microsoft The app has custom features and it can be controlled with gestures. It was in beta after the re-branding so there might be some bugs. But it is something different, which is good for people who want better integration with their Windows PC. Microsoft is rebuilding this app from the ground up, so new versions are coming out of time
Niagara Launcher
Niagara Launcher is a new app on our list and it’s kind of like a diamond in the rough. It has an easy-to-use UI with a clean look, good ergonomics, and it looks nice. The app also tries to limit your need for the notification shade by having integrated music controls and message notifications There are some cool-looking themes and icon packs. The stable version of the app launched in February 2021. It includes a bunch of bug fixes and some minor design changes. If you want something different from other launchers, this one is a good choice because it’s great and easy to use.
Nova Launcher
It doesn’t get much better than Nova Launcher. It has been around for a long time, but it is still popular today. There are many ways to customize your phone with this app. You can change the look and feel of the app, you can use icon packs, and you can use themes. The app also updates at a fast pace, which means that it is quick to fix bugs. It also has new features all of the time. There is an ability to backup and restore your home screen layouts when you get a new phone. This app is what we recommend for you to try first.
Olauncher
Olauncher is one of the new apps on this list. It has a minimalist interface, fewer customizations, and no distractions. The app intentionally cuts out graphical elements like icons in order to make it simple for you. You can change the wallpaper and a few things. But that is not a problem because you can install it and then use it. The app is new, so the developer will add more features soon. This is one of the best minimal style launchers in recent memory.
Poco Launcher
Poco Launcher is the stock launcher for the popular (and cheap) Pocophone. It is available for most Android devices and that is surprising since Google did not release theirs. This launcher has a basic layout like other Android launchers with icons on the home screen and an app drawer you can swipe to open. You can make your own home screen with the app drawer background. If you want to hide icons, you can use this setting. This is a good phone for people who are looking for something simple with low-end phones or people with higher-end phones that want something really simple.
Rootless Launcher
Rootless Launcher is a launcher that looks like the old Android. It is from 2018 and it has some customization features. You can use an icon pack to change what your icons look like, you can have a theme with your wallpaper, and you can move the search bar on your phone so it’s not in the way. You can get Google Feed working on this launcher. But it will take an extra plug-in download and installation. Directions for that are in the Google Play description. It is just as good as Hyperion or Lawnchair for stock Android fans.
Smart Launcher 5
Smart Launcher 5 is different from Smart Launcher 3. But it’s better. It has a modern user interface, features that let you change the theme colors, and other cool things like adaptive icons. There are also widgets for weather and clock displays. This is not as powerful as a Nova Launcher or another similar launcher. But it has many features, and it feels like it competes with other launchers that are more customizable and usable.
Total Launcher
Total Launcher is not the most popular launcher on this list. But it is still good. It has customization and themes, and some other features. The learning curve, however, is steeper than for others on the list. You would like it if you learned how to do things. If you are not interested in learning, then try out one of these other launchers: CPL, Rootless Launcher, Hyperion Launcher, etc.
