Going by the title, you might be thinking – Why should I look for the best launchers for Android?
It’s true that your Android device comes with its default launcher. Yet, there are launchers for Android that can make your device look cooler. The launchers help you customize and personalize your Android experience. You can tune your launcher the way you want and spice it up with icons and widgets of your choice. There even are some good launchers for Android phones that let you mimic other devices as well.
Here we have enlisted some of the best and fastest Android launchers that’ll take your experience to the next level.
What is an Android Launcher?
Android smartphones are inoperable without a launcher. That’s why every device comes with a default launcher. But if you want to spice up, arrange, organize, and interact with apps on Android nothing can be better than launcher apps for Android. Using the fastest Android launchers users can tweak the home screen.
Following is a list of 11 best Android launchers that you can use to upgrade your Android. Some are free, and some might cost you a few bucks. The only thing common is all are easy to use.
Also Read: Best iOS Launchers for Android
Here Are the Best Android Launcher Apps in 2024.
1. Nova Launcher – Best customization Android Launcher
Nova launcher is a powerful, customizable, versatile home screen replacement launcher. Using this half-a-decade old launcher app you can enhance your phone’s home screen. Whether you want to change the home screen completely or want a faster home launcher, Nova launcher is the answer. It also lets you hide apps from the app drawer without the need to uninstall them.
Another feature that makes Nova one of the coolest launchers for Android is that it provides you with a Backup and restore feature.
Features:
- Custom Icon Themes including the night and dark theme
- Customizable App Drawer
- Subgrid positioning
- Scrollable Dock
2. Microsoft Launcher – Easy Android Launcher
Looking for a cool launcher for Android that helps personalize Android, sync with your Windows PC, and organize things? Microsoft Launcher is an option you can consider. It is the best choice to give your phone a new look. Formerly known as Arrow Launcher, using this best launcher app for Android you can revitalize your phone. Furthermore, you get access to beautiful Bing wallpaper to set the background with auto image refresh.
If you have a Microsoft account, you can access your calendars, documents, and recent activities. Overall, it is one of the fastest Android launchers that uses less memory and is more battery efficient.
Features:
- Feed personalization and improve the functionality of Microsoft apps.
- Spice up your phone with light, dark and transparent themes to suit your style
- Seamless syncing between phone and PC
- Search the web for files, apps, docs, etc. all at once
- Gesture customization
- Organize contacts and keep them at your fingertips
3. Go Launcher – Fastest Launcher App for Android with 3D Themes and HD Wallpaper
A stylish and personalized launcher app for Android that provides a multitude of mobile themes. Go Launcher is one of the best Android Launchers and offers 3D parallax themes, HD wallpaper that are customizable. It runs on an independently developed 3D engine that makes it the fastest launcher. Unlike Nova Launcher, Go Launcher can be considered the best launcher for tablets too. Using it you can hide apps and secure your phone. The themes and wallpaper are updated almost daily.
Apart from being a good launcher for Android phones, GO Launcher also comes with a feature called Dr.Clean with which you can boost your phone’s speed.
Features:
- 20+ screen and drawer animation effect
- 1000+ free mobile themes for Android
- Variety of Widgets
- Hide and lock apps to protect phone from prying eyes
4. Smart Launcher 6 – Best App Drawer
Known for its iconic Flower home screen and categorically sorted app drawer Smart Launcher is one best Android Launcher. This innovative Android launcher app makes your device faster and easy to use. Smart Launcher replaces the phone’s home screen automatically and sorts your app into categories. Moreover, its Ambient theme automatically changes the theme color to match the wallpaper. Using Smart Launcher best Launcher app for Android, you can break down the home screen into three easy elements: the icons, Smart Search and widgets. Not only this you can even switch search sources to use Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo and more using this fastest Android launcher.
It comes with a full set of responsive widgets and it helps you quickly find contacts and apps. Smart Launcher lets you configure both gestures and hotkeys and you can turn off the screen with a double tap.
Features:
- Adaptive icons
- Ultra-immersive mode to maximize screen space
- Built-in clock and weather widget
- Hide apps and protect them with a PIN
- Configurable gestures and hotkeys
5. ADW Launcher 2 – Best Customizable Launcher App for Android
ADW Launcher 2 successor of ADW Launcher is a remarkable launcher app for Android. With an updated UI this Android launcher has a lot to offer. It offers a new section to configure badges.
Using this fast, easy-to-use ADW Launcher 2 you can make your own widget. Not only this, it supports unique features to change color according to the wallpaper. What more can you ask? If you are looking for a customizable launcher that helps change the default Android Launcher, ADW Launcher 2 is a must-try best Launcher app for Android.
Recently the developers have also added a new wrap folder mode to folders. The mode lets you launch the first app in the folder on the tap. Subsequently, you can see the contents of the folder with the swipe-up option.
Features:
- Dynamic UI color using Wallpaper
- Fast scroll app drawer style
- Easy way to manage screens by holding empty area on home screen
- Use gesture management
6. AIO Launcher
AIO Launcher is one of the best launchers for Android that offers a minimalistic interface and high level of customizability. It efficiently removes all the clutter and displays important information. For instance, the AIO Launcher can display the following information on your screen – weather information for 10 days, quick contacts, exchange rates, music player controls, and much more.
As a good launcher for Android phones, AIO Launcher offers vast plugin and widget support. It also offers a variety of gestures. As an example, you can swipe on the search button and open the quick menu with your phone or camera.
Features:
- ChatGPT integration
- Support for several themes and icon packs.
- Control panel – toggles for Wi-Fi, GPS, etc
7. Niagara Launcher – Minimalist Android Launcher
Nominated as one of the best Android launchers, this minimalist launcher for Android is capable of giving your phone a clutter-free whole new look. Niagara comes without bloatware or sponsored ads.
What makes Niagra one of the best Launcher apps for Android is that it has the ability to automatically quarantine, purge spam notifications.
Furthermore, Niagara Launcher offers you with ergonomic efficiency. This means you can access everything with one hand, regardless of your smartphone’s size. It also comes with a unique wave animation that is satisfying to look at and helps you navigate the phone with one hand.
Features:
- Simplified list to access all apps instantly
- Lightweight and fast launcher app for Android
- See all notifications directly on the home screen
- Nice thematic effect
Tip: Wondering why there’s no mention of Google Now Android Launcher, Buzz Launcher, Apex Launcher? Here’s what you need to know.
Google Now Launcher is retired and since it is compatible with only a handful of devices, it not added.
Buzz Launcher does not work properly on new phones especially with bigger screens.
Apex Launcher is more of ad service now, this means whenever uses try to launch Chrome or Firefox pop up ads appear.
8. Action Launcher: Pixel Edition – Best Free Launcher App for Android
If you are a fan of Pixel devices, Action Launcher is your best pick. This fastest Android launcher offers plenty of customization features to customize your phone’s home screen. Without paying for a Google Pixel you can experience stock Android with a Pixel twist.
Action Launcher makes it easy to get the home screen of your choice. From gesture controls to cover, shutters and hide folders Action Launcher the best customizable Android Launcher app has it all.
Features:
- Google Discover integration for all
- Quicktheme, Shutters, etc
- Inbuilt weather widget
- Customizable dock search box
- Smart icons to match Material Design
9. Hyperion launcher
With simple sophistication, Evie best Launcher app for Android cuts through the crowd. To try this launcher app for Android you just need a little time, no need to pay a single penny.
The default setup of Evie Launcher is simple, it features only four apps at the bottom and one search bar at the top. By default, this best and fastest Android launcher keeps the doc disabled and its default grid size is 5X6. This robust and promising launcher app is loved by users. And if the rumors about Google Now Launcher is right (it will soon be removed from Google Play Store), Evie will be the replacement for Google Now.
Features:
- Quick Navigation
- Allows creating custom shortcuts
- Search inside all apps using Universal search
- Wallpaper, icon, etc. customization
- Lock home screen icons
- Change search engine
- App drawer and folder grid customization
10. Evie Launcher – Best Launcher App
With simple sophistication, Evie best Launcher app for Android cuts through the crowd.
The default setup of Evie Launcher is simple, it features only four apps at the bottom and one search bar at the top. By default, this best and fastest Android launcher keeps the doc disabled and its default grid size is 5X6. And if the rumors about Google Now Launcher are right (it will soon be removed from the Google Play Store), Evie will be the replacement for Google Now.
As one of the best launchers for Android, Evie Launcher offers a full App drawer and folder grid customization. It also gives you the ability to change the default search engine as well.
Features:
- Allows creating custom shortcuts
- Search inside all apps using the Universal search
- Wallpaper, icon, etc. customization
- Lock home screen icons
What’s your favourite launcher app for Android?
Hopefully, you enjoyed the list of the best Android launcher apps. Certainly, some readers might be using a different launcher or have something else in mind that makes sense. Do let us know which one your favorite launcher is. My personal favorite is Nova Launcher and I have been using it for quite a while. It has everything to offer and it is the most stable Android Launcher.
Let us know which one you choose by leaving us a comment.