Launchers for Android are incredibly popular, because every advanced user of this operating system wants to customize his smartphone as much as possible for himself. If you are still choosing which launcher is best to install on your Android device Check out our pick of 15 of the best launcher apps to try in 2017.
Everyone knows Nova Launcher, it is one of the very first Android apps in its class. Galagram calls Nova the best launcher for smartphones and tablets without a doubt, and here's why. For more than 3 years of its existence, it has not lost its relevance, and the developers have extensive experience working on the project. Therefore, there are practically no errors in this application, and if they do appear, quick updates quickly cover vulnerabilities.
Nova Launcher lets you customize pretty much everything on your phone, from gestures to the look of app shortcuts. But the main feature of this launcher is the ability to back up the layout. This means that when you buy new smartphone, you don't need to configure everything from scratch. You just need to restore the application from a backup and get all your settings from your old phone on a new device.
Arrow Launcher is a Microsoft product and one of the best launchers for Android smartphone... It is perfect for those who use the Microsoft ecosystem and Windows OS, but also have a smartphone running Google OS. This application allows you to create one main home screen and additional ones with personalized lists, such as: the most popular applications, contacts, widgets and more. One of the most handy features of Arrow Launcher is the ability to sync with some software products from Microsoft.
Apex is one of the earliest and oldest Android launchers. The app aims to give your smartphone's desktop the same appearance as stock Android. In addition, Apex Launcher has several useful settings, with which you can change the animation of turning screens and more. This launcher is best for beginners and those who like stock Android.
Asus also has its own launcher in stock, which is installed out of the box on their smartphones. It's called ZenUI and it offers the same user experience found on phones from this brand. The customization settings are very wide here, you can change the following: style and size of fonts, icons, theme inside the launcher and animation of transitions between working screens. In addition, the ZenUI app has a built-in system search and automatic grouping of apps into specified categories. This launcher is not the most powerful in our rating, but it has all the basic functions.
Solo is a beautiful Android launcher that offers a lot of customization and implementation options. The app itself follows Google's Material Design philosophy, with themes, wallpapers, gestures, and more. Among the minuses of this solution, several are almost devil useful functions such as clearing the cache, clearing memory and speeding up the system. In practice, this all does not work, but if you do not pay attention to these items in the menu, then Solo Launcher looks pretty nice.
Many Android fans know Action Launcher 3 is the app that will make your smartphone look exactly like the Nexus. This launcher has a built-in Quicktheme feature that allows you to customize the UI color for your phone wallpaper. Also, the program has its own appearance of folders on the desktop, and frequent system updates instantly fix old errors and add new functions to Action Launcher 3. And this is not all of its functions, be sure to try it.
This is the second launcher from the developers who released the ADW Launcher. Among the innovations is an updated interface that looks like on smartphones from Google, as well as its own icons for applications and many add-ons. Among the unique features of this launcher are so many different customizable widgets. So if you are a fan of Android widgets, be sure to check out ADW Launcher 2. The app is available for download from Google play free with limited features and premium version without limitation for $ 3.49.
Atom Launcher is a newcomer to the Google Play app store and has just arrived on Android. The creators of this program are moving in the right direction, there are many different themes available for this launcher in the store. In addition, many convenient control gestures are available in Atom, a sliding shutter with all installed applications, a whole set of icons for program shortcuts, and many other settings. The application is now available for download free of charge. Those who want to support the project can purchase the version for $ 1.99.
Many people remember that EverythingMe Launcher left Google Play in 2015, but in 2017 it had a restart and returned to the store. Android applications... And this is good news, as it is a great Android platform that can change the familiar look of a smartphone beyond recognition. Among the top handy features, EverythingMe has smart folders that automatically sort your apps. Also, this launcher has an excellent and functional panel with notifications, missed calls and calendar events. It works stably even on weak hardware and is available for free installation.
Evie Launcher is one of the best 2017 apps for your Android smartphone. This launcher offers the same look and feel as on Google phones Pixel. There is the same bottom curtain with applications and shortcuts as from the native Pixel smartphone. You can change the size of the grid of applications, and missed events will be shown directly on the shortcuts of the corresponding programs. Try Evie Launcher while the app picks up its users, it is offered completely free of charge and without monetization.
Launcher 8 made our list of the best as it doesn't look like Android at all. This is perhaps the only launcher that offers the same design for your smartphone's desktop as on Windows Phone... The application allows you to recreate "live tiles" from the Windows tiled interface, as well as get a comparable user experience. Among the cons, it is a very resource intensive application, but if you are a Windows fan, it is definitely worth giving it a try.
Lightning Launcher is both a lightweight and functional Android launcher. If your smartphone is not the most productive and you want to customize its working slot, try this one. At the same time, the application allows you to customize almost everything on the desktop, even make several home screens for different occasions. In addition, the launcher supports Javascript, so its possibilities are almost endless. Among the addons for Lightning Launcher, there are various language versions and useful plugins. However, this application is not free, its price starts at $ 1.99 on Google Play.
This is a launcher from the GO Dev team, which was once released by Go Launcher. This application will appeal to those who love 3D animation and volumetric transitions between desktops. There is a scroll bar at the bottom of the display that allows you to quickly navigate to the screen you want. The Pemium version of Next Launcher 3D Shell costs about $ 17 and is one of the most expensive launchers for Android. There is a blessing free version which can be tested by installing the application from Google Play.
Another of the oldest Android apps that will appeal to those who don't like to put up with standard program shortcuts. Smart Launcher 3 allows you to install a wide variety of icons on your applications, as well as select a grid for displaying the list of programs on the desktop. It has system searches, desktop notifications, and even password-locking individual apps. The app is free and available for download from the Android store.
Launcher is main screen smartphone. It is from him that all basic user actions take place, such as launching applications, deleting and sorting them. Thanks to a well-chosen launcher, you can not only quickly launch required programs, but it is also convenient to delete them, clear the cache, find out the weather, account status, SMS and other information directly from the main screen without having to open a third-party application.
From the article you will learn
List of applications considered
In this article, we will look at the best launchers and figure out which one to choose for your Android smartphone.
Here's a list:
- ADW 2;
- N Launcher - Nougat 7.0, Google Start;
- Additional launchers (Computer Launcher, Win 10, Smart Launcher 3).
What can launchers do?
The first thing the launcher needs to do is launch applications. But this is the most primitive ability. Download third-party software stands for the sake of additional functions, consisting in the convenience and decoration of the device screen.
Almost through every mentioned launcher in our article, you can remove it by long pressing on the application icon, hide it from the desktop, see detailed information in the settings, change the name and icon. It is also possible to conveniently sort everything on a smartphone, change the location of shortcuts, resize and hide unnecessary ones.
For many users, the appearance of the screen is important. At this point, third-party launchers often win, as their functionality is more advanced. They allow you to change the animation of swiping, opening folders and the list of all applications, launching, and so on.
Also in the settings, the color scheme of the entire interface is set and other beautiful buns are made. This is already an individual matter, because the launchers are very different, both in functionality and in appearance.
How is the installation procedure going?
Before choosing a launcher, let's figure out how to install it. Any of the listed launchers can be downloaded without any problems from the official store Play apps Market (or Google Play) is completely free. And some of the programs have a paid version without ads or with advanced functionality (this will be specified during the review).
- Download the launcher and open it.
- He will ask you to set it as the default desktop. To do this, in the menu that appears, select the launcher, then the "Always" button (the button may have a different name depending on the firmware and version).
- Now, when you open the main screen, this application will appear, and not the usual standard one.
But what if the user didn’t like the design or functionality of such an application or there were some difficulties? To do this, you can do the following:
- Install another launcher and set it as the default desktop in the same way as you installed this one;
- Delete the program in the settings ("Settings" - "Applications" - "The launcher itself" - "Delete");
- Open the launcher in the official store and uninstall it via the Market;
- Reassign the default desktop in the settings ("Settings" - "Home screen" (it may be called differently depending on the version of the Android system) - select another launcher or delete this one by clicking on the "trash can" icon).
Each action will not harm the device in any way, even with root access, so do not be afraid to experiment. You can open the settings at any time through the status bar (curtain at the top) and delete the launcher.
In general, all the launchers we have chosen are stable and there should be no problems with them.
Which to choose?
Choosing is a difficult task. It is worth taking this with full responsibility, because everything in a smartphone starts from the start screen, and if it is not as perfect as we would like, the use will spoil the experience a little.
When choosing, first of all, they pay attention to the performance and autonomy of the smartphone. If you think you have enough memory and performance, then you can install heavy launchers with a lot of animations and functions. They consume a lot of memory, both RAM and permanent, and they can also affect the battery (not much, but they can). Therefore, think about what is more important to you: saving resources or a beautiful view?
If you want to shoot two birds with one stone, then take Nova, N, Google or Evie - these are relatively economical, cute and multifunctional launchers. ADW and TSF are more demanding, but from this they have their own chips.
Try to download all the launchers you like and test them one by one for speed and convenience.
For maximum savings, try Apex Launcher, LauncherPro, Mini Launcher or Nano Launcher, they are scarce in features compared to the competition, but very economical.
One of the most interesting launchers at the moment. There is both a free version and a paid one. The free one does not have some functions, but in general, the version is very interesting, moreover, it does not have ads, so you do not need to buy the full one.
Nova is the progenitor of standard launchers from Google. This is actually a copy of the interface from pure Android devices.
The main screen is presented in the form of folders and icons, at the bottom there is a menu of all applications launched through a shortcut or by swiping from bottom to top. The folders do not open completely, but only to the area required to display the content.
By long pressing the application icon, you can quickly delete it, open it in the settings, change the name and icon in the launcher.
Nova also supports gestures to which you can assign anything. There are many gestures, ranging from simple swipes up or down to swipes and two-finger gestures (available in the paid version only).
Nova Launcher is interesting for its features, appearance and autonomy. It looks very nice, is deeply customizable and does not require a huge amount of smartphone resources.
Almost everything can be configured in the launcher, or rather:
- Number of dots on the desktop and application menu;
- Icon size;
- Font, font size, color of application names on the desktop, in folders and application menus separately;
- Size and position of widgets;
- Color and transparency of the application menu, folders and background of the dock bar;
- Disable and deep customization of the dock bar (pages, number of icons, background, signatures, color, transparency);
- The way all applications are displayed: all together, by folders or departments;
- Hide the app completely from the launcher;
- Quick access to the application via swipe on the shortcut of another application or folder.
The launcher has the ability to deeply customize icons and activate icon packs. For each application, you can substitute any icon from any icon pack or, if you wish, create your own and take it from the explorer. In the personalization settings there is a function that activates one pack for all icons in the launcher and, when a new application appears, immediately adjusts its icon to the general standard.
3D launcher with many effects and wide functionality. One of the most demanding not only from our list, but in general. All resources are spent on the elaboration of each 3D animation.
It is enough for the owner powerful smartphone TSF is a great replacement for the standard shell. In terms of functionality, there is nothing special. In it, you can change the page layout, icons, label names, the number of rows and columns, this is no longer surprising.
Folders open in an interesting way like a fan. When pressed, a smooth animation occurs, in which the underlay of the folder goes down, and all applications fly out of it. When scrolling through the icons, they return under the substrate, then jump out of it. The folder itself opens full screen with background blur, this takes longer than usual and sometimes you have to wait about a second before opening the application.
The same situation is with the menu of all applications, which, by the way, exists, but is not particularly configurable. The menu contains a filter, a grid, and that's enough. It opens under various animations, which can be viewed in the settings for a long tap on an empty space on the desktop.
Widgets are interesting features in the launcher. They are perfectly animated and very user-friendly. For example, a calendar widget looks like a ball, on each side of which there is information about the date and time. Through these widgets, you can control gestures and taps, which makes them a lot of functionality. Even if the widgets are not used, they play nicely, move and change colors. Everything looks nice.
A long press on the icon brings up a direct or rounded menu with a blurred background. It has all the standard features: delete, hide, rename, and so on. In the settings, you can change the animation of the icon when you click on it and hold it. There is as a simple distance, zoom in or selection, and distortion, blur, and so on.
Nice launcher as an alternative to Nova. Go, unlike others like him, has a unique style. It is not copied from the Android system, but made in its own way, with its own icons, colors and animations.
At first glance, it may seem that it is no worse than others in terms of the number of settings, but in fact, Go is not as configurable as others. In the settings, the developers have made the necessary items by the type of grid, the size of the icons, and the like. But, alas, in this launcher you cannot customize the icon pack and the arrangement of icons and widgets on such a large scale. But this does not mean that the launcher is really bad, just for the most inveterate perfectionists, some nuances that cannot be changed can become a problem.
The launcher is adapted for most users. Initially, it is already normally configured and you can use it without any problems, and if necessary, correct some points.
All icons are adjusted to the general style. They receive an oval-shaped substrate with rounded edges and bulging walls. These unique icons are very cute and quirky, and there is no rudeness in them. The animations and blur effects are well done, and there are not many of them. Folders, application menus and settings crash out smoothly with various spinning effects.
Folders open to full screen with strong background blur. The animation is smooth, but fast and does not make you wait long before launching the application. After a long tap or pressing the menu button, a pull-out panel opens from the bottom, through which you can open the smartphone settings or the launcher, launch all sorts of built-in services, which you can read about below.
In the settings, everything is divided into items such as desktop, folder, all applications, notifications, gestures, and so on. There are enough gestures in the launcher, there are the usual up, down, double tap and unusual ones like rotation or gesture with two fingers.
The launcher has various services that refer to the launcher itself indirectly. It is not necessary to install them. They are available in the menu by a long tap on the desktop. Among them there are such functions as clearing memory through a floating button, locking applications with a password, automatic wallpaper change and an online wallpaper catalog.
Multifunctional launcher, very similar to Nova. These are brothers that evolved from the standard launchers in Android systems from version 4.4 and higher.
In ADW 2 there are a few innovations in contrast to Nova, but some are lost. For example, you cannot sort the list of all applications into individual folders. This is done using the lists, which are opened with a swipe from the left edge. A panel appears in which you can select a list containing all applications placed in it. It's not as convenient as the folders in Nova.
On the other hand, ADW 2 has more animation settings and a more sophisticated desktop customization system, which is done directly in the menu by a long tap. Before starting to use, the launcher will offer you to choose the style of everything, where you can give preference to a certain Android version... From the choice of the version, nothing will change much, but still it is important. There are the following Android styles in total: 4.4 KitKat, 5.0 Lollipop, 6.0 Marshmallow and 7.0 Nougat. In the future, there will definitely be versions from more modern android launchers. The animations have not increased much, but everything is exactly pleasant.
Also in ADV, you can control widgets, they are all collected in a convenient menu, from which they are sorted by application and size. Each application on the desktop can be assigned not only a swipe up, but also down, which is very convenient for lovers of minimalistic launchers with just a couple of icons on the main screen.
In general, they do not differ much, ADW is interesting with animations, widgets and gestures, at the same time, Nova is convenient in sorting and economy of resources. Yes, ADW definitely has a problem with this, as in this situation it requires a little more resources than is usually needed for a launcher.
A simple, uncomplicated, but interesting launcher that completely copies the start screen from IOS versions 7-8. It is very similar to the original, but still has a couple of differences for more convenient use. For example, a long tap on the icon opens the usual menu with the ability to delete the application, look about it in the settings or rename it, and when you long press on an empty space, a menu appears with the launcher settings and the system settings shortcut, as in the standard Android. And so everything is like the Apple smartphone. There are large oval icons, branded wallpapers and the absence of a list of all applications.
In the settings, by the way, you can hide some programs. Then, to display them, you will have to go into the settings again.
Also, the launcher does not support widgets.
Folders, like on IOS, open completely with a nice scaling of the wallpaper to the insides of the folder. There are problems with the display of the folder name, it disappears on the desktop, and then appears under the already open folder, but this is not particularly noticeable.
Another simple but extremely interesting launcher. It is based on simplicity, minimalism and attractiveness. Despite the small amount of resources consumed, Evie looks very attractive and has the most necessary functions.
In the settings, you can change the desktop grid, install the icon pack, configure a small number of gestures, and that's all. Folders open in full screen without any other effects. Everything is simple and elegant.
In the menu of all applications, sorting occurs alphabetically. On the one hand, letters, on the other, applications. In general, this is all easily configured in the same menu through a special button in the corner of the screen.
With a long tap on the icon, you can delete the application, hide it or open it in the settings. Folders are sorted automatically, but you can do it manually by moving applications after a long press.
The launcher has an automatic sorting of all content into folders on the desktop. So applications are divided into games, browsers, editors, players, and so on.
Evie is perfect for lovers of simple launchers with good functionality. It is one of the most economical launchers in terms of consumption / function.
N Launcher - Nougat 7.0 and Google Start
Relatively simple, but quite functional launchers that completely copy the interface from Android version 7.0 - Nougat.
N Launcher and Google Start are almost the same, since they are the standard launcher on Android version 7. You only have to choose between them, we only give advertising to these programs, so to speak. Both are great alternatives to Nova or ADW 2, which require fewer resources, but look exactly the same.
N Launcher and Google Start are very stingy in settings compared to others. There are already standard functions for Android launchers in the form of adjusting the grid and size of icons, changing the scale of widgets and changing the color of folders / application menus.
In terms of settings, N and Start will not please you with anything, even in gestures everything is standard: up, down, double tap, swipes with two fingers and circular movements, there is not even two fingers approaching and moving away.
But why is it worth downloading any of these launchers? They are much more energy efficient and more stable than any other launcher, because they were made for pure Android. They look no worse, and the management of applications through a long tap on their shortcuts is present, there is also a convenient menu of widgets.
So N and Google Start are very good, if you don't want to set up the launcher for a long time, but you just need to download and start daily use.
Additional launchers (Computer Launcher, Win 10, Smart Launcher 3)
In the review, I would like to mention other launchers that are not at all similar to the average Android device desktop. We will tell you only in brief, your task is to download and try, if you are interested in the short description.
- Computer Launcher. A launcher similar to a full-fledged Windows 10. It has dozens of standard icons, a start menu with shortcuts attached to it, and even a basket. When you open File Explorer, it sits on top of the desktop instead of opening in full screen mode... In general, a rather unusual launcher for a smartphone.
- Win 10. Another copy of Microsoft's works, only now in mobile processing. This is a full-fledged launcher as on the already dead Windows Phone. Only he with his own characteristics. It allows you to customize the color, background and even add wallpaper, so go for tile lovers instead of icons.
- Smart Launcher 3. An unusual launcher, in which all the icons are arranged in a circular manner in the center of the screen. It is not particularly different, just all launchers are in the center of the screen and are arranged in a circle.
One of the best things about Android is that you can customize not only how it looks but also how it behaves. One way to do this is to download the new launcher, an application that will change the interface of your phone and allow you to customize it to your liking.
Plus, such applications allow you to have the same interface that you are used to, even if you bought new phone- just restore backup settings from the cloud storage. Now this is especially true, when almost every manufacturer installs its own shell, which is not always intuitive and fast.
I don't think it's possible to determine the best launcher for everyone. You use your phone differently than I do, and I use my phone differently than my colleagues or friends. Everyone has their own perfect launcher, but if you haven't found your favorite yet, here are the best ones that I think will satisfy just about any Android user.
Nova
Nova Launcher has been a well-known application for a long time. It has support for gesture control: if you want to open the list of applications, just swipe up, make two taps on the screen to turn it off. In short, the app works best with gestures and folders!
The set includes icon packs and themes, of which there are about a thousand (search on Google Play), application interface settings, an unread message counter, additional scrolling effects, and much more. Another feature is constant updates with the addition of new functionality and bug fixes.
It is worth noting the possibility of backing up the settings to the cloud with their further restoration on a new phone or when resetting to factory settings.
Microsoft
Microsoft Launcher is updated version project Garage Arrow and we have covered the key changes that have come with this update. The app now supports integration with many Microsoft services, including calendar and email.
If your computer is updated to the latest version of Windows 10, you can link your phone and computer, and then you can quickly and easily "Continue on PC". This means you can take a photo and see it right away on your computer, or edit a document in Office and then continue editing it on your computer.
There are packs of gestures, icons, advanced settings. For example, swiping up will not open the list of applications, but will only show your favorite applications, and quick settings such as Wi-Fi, airplane mode, Bluetooth, etc.
Daily wallpaper change - get in automatic mode New wallpapers from Bing, or enter your own selection of wallpapers to change.
It's important to note that Microsoft doesn't want Android to look the same as Windows 10 Mobile. For example, you will not find square "tiles" here, if you are looking for something similar, then take a look at the following application.
It's a little strange, but with this launcher it seems that you are using an iPhone on an Android smartphone, so everything is convenient and beautiful.
Apex
Apex Launcher has been around for a long time and remains one of the most popular launchers out there. Similar to the Action Launcher app, it is designed for flexible interface customization with multiple additional functions for example, you can hide the Google search form, the status bar, and even the dock, which can display up to seven icons for a word instead of four! If you have a child, the desktop lock function will be useful to you to prevent accidental changes.
You can choose animation transitions, change the design, your own icons for shortcuts and folders. Up to 9 home screens are supported, with flexible settings for each of them. Convenient gesture control, screen lock, optimized for use on smartphones and tablets. It is possible to display unread messages and missed calls on the icons. And that's not all the possibilities that Apex Launcher offers.
One
One Launcher will be an excellent replacement for the standard Android interface. When creating it, the developer (one BJ) was inspired by latest versions iOS - a mobile operating system from Apple... Thanks to this, the launcher turned out to be aesthetically beautiful and very convenient.
As with Apple devices, app icons are located on the home display, rather than hidden in a separate menu. You can combine multiple applications in folders, or you can leave it as it is. The latter option is ideal for those who use only a small number of programs.
The developers paid special attention to ensuring that their brainchild consumes little random access memory at maximum performance. Their labors immediately become noticeable when you switch from this launcher to some other. Or check the amount of free RAM. Plus, One Launcher is completely free and supports all Android versions starting from 2.3.3.
Smart
Smart Launcher is not just an add-on to the stock launcher, and it immediately catches your eye. The home display is a circle with six icons for quick access to the most important applications. Also you have access to the widget area or you can go to the unique menu. What makes it so unique? Intelligent sorting system. When you install new utility, the launcher automatically places it in the correct category, making it much easier to access.
A handy search bar is always at hand, so you can easily find the applications you need. An important part is the lock screen with support for notifications and a variety of themes. To completely change the interface of your device, download the special themes for Smart Launcher 3 from Google Play. In addition, do not forget about the option to hide any utilities or set a password to run them.
Hola
The Hola Launcher developers started their project with a single question: "What features do people need first of all?" After thinking carefully about it, they set to work and created Hola launcher- an easy and simple alternative for those wishing to achieve the best result at the lowest cost.
After taking a few minutes to explore what this launcher has to offer, you will be amazed. After all, it only takes up 4 MB. And the extremely low RAM consumption makes it very fast and responsive. The app is built around one concept - simplicity. The interface is minimalistic, easy to navigate, and allows you to access your most frequently used functions with just a few taps.
In addition to the usual set of features like customizable themes, wallpapers, folders, and more, Hola offers users access to several very useful programs... Hola Shina is a special menu that opens with a swipe from the bottom of the monitor. It contains frequently used applications and settings. Hola Boost is a small movable circle that frees up the RAM of your smartphone immediately after clicking on it. Also in service is the Hola Box, which will easily hide any utility on your home display if you don't want to show it to other people.
Launcher 8
Launcher 8 is unique in that it doesn't look like an Android app. In fact, the only purpose of this app is to make your device's interface look like Windows Phone. And he copes with this task perfectly. He copies not only the appearance, but also many actions. As a result, when working with the shell, you get the feeling that you are not working under Android at all.
Supports emulation of "live tiles" and a scroll bar when navigating the application menu, which appears when you move your finger to the right or left on the screen.
There are custom themes that let you customize the look of the launcher, but most of them are very different from what we're used to seeing on Android. If you don't want your smartphone to look like a Windows Phone 8 phone, then there is little point in installing this app.
Action
Action Launcher has long been a favorite of many users. In addition to the standard functions, there are some original ones that make the program unique. For example, the Quick Theme lets you customize the colors of your interface.
The Shutters feature gives you access to widgets without having to install them on your home screen. There is also a set of elements in the style Android Oreo... There is a customization of icons, a quick update of small elements and much more.
GO
An excellent choice for those looking to try a custom home screen design. Plus, GO Launcher is one of the most downloaded utilities on Google Play. The program combines functionality with excellent custom design.
The launcher is based on an innovative 3D engine developed from the ground up. It is he who makes the program extremely fast, responsive and versatile. In addition to the engine, you switch between 25 display animation options and get over 10,000 unique themes. With such a staggering amount of interface customization options, you can easily get confused if it weren't for DIY Themer.
GO Launcher also has an excellent tool to hide or block a specific program to further protect you from prying eyes. Well, built-in smartphone optimization widgets increase device performance, making multi-window mode faster and more pleasant to use.
Next 3D Shell
The developers of Next Launcher 3D Shell are the same people who worked on the creation of GO Launcher. 3D animation is supported, there are many transition effects and unique settings. With the scroll bar, you can quickly change home screens and choose the one you like best at the moment. According to most users, this is one of the most expensive launchers out there. True, you can try all the features of the program for free.
ADW 2
The biggest plus of ADW Launcher 2.0 is customization: you can customize themes, gestures, folder styles, home screens, app list, and even create your own custom widgets. You can go on and on, if you are a fan of settings, then you should definitely download this launcher and test it thoroughly. It contains an insane amount of settings!
You can create an unlimited number of your own widgets and place them anywhere, even on the top panel (where the search bar is) or on the bottom (where you now have 4 icons).
As always, it is possible to edit every single icon of any application you have. The latest update has a new set of effects when switching to another screen, as well as the ability to change the color palette of the system to any color (black, red, orange, etc.). All in all, in this application you can do everything you can imagine.
Evie
Evie Launcher comes with icon packs and widgets. It is possible to hide any applications, quickly launch programs, add unique shortcuts with your own signatures to the home screen. You can create wallpapers yourself, change the size of icons.
The program is fast, easy to use, and has some original features. Uses a Pixel Launcher-style app menu that can be slid from the bottom of the screen. The application is distributed free of charge.
Lightning Launcher is small and highly customizable. With this tool, you can change almost all elements of the home screen. Perhaps the most unique feature is the scripting support, for example you can use JavaScript.
You may be intimidated by the abundance of settings and options, but there is nothing to be scared of. Yes, there are a lot of settings, but they are easy to figure out. But what opportunities! Almost all functions and elements are customizable, whether they are ways of placing applications, folders, widgets, home screens, icon sets, fonts, alignment, and even renaming of standard elements (not all).
If you do not want to understand, dozens (if not hundreds) of more classic skins are at your service, which offer a couple of basic settings.
Lawnchair Launcher is an open source project that basically mimics the Pixel Launcher. They have many of the same functions, although there are some original features. It is constantly being updated and improved. Notifications and context menu are made in the style of Android Oreo.
You can choose from different panel and window styles, icon sizes, and more. It's no exaggeration to say that Lawnchair has incorporated the very best of Pixel and Nova Launcher. All this is complemented by the high performance and aesthetics of the Pixel shell and spiced with customization elements from other launchers well known in the Android world.
One of the most attractive visual styles is the dark theme. It applies to the appearance of the tray, home screen widget, and context menu. The styling options here aren't as deep as in Substratum, for example, but still pretty good.
There is integration with Google Now (when installing an additional free plugin). Even in beta, it works better than many older launchers. If you're looking for the very best Google Pixel counterpart, think you've already found it.
EverythingMe
The main highlight of EverythingMe is the so-called Prediction Bar, which is a row of icons located at the bottom of the screen (there are four of them in total), dynamically changing depending on the user's location, time of day and the results of the analysis of previous application launches.
Based on the results of this analysis, Prediction Bar will first of all offer the user those applications that he is most likely to need in the near future. For example, in the morning EverythingMe will tell you the latest news and remind you of the things planned for today. And on weekdays, the launcher will suggest the applications you most often deal with at work.
At the first start, the launcher will try to automatically decompose the already installed applications in the appropriate folders, such as Games, Music, Social Networks, and News. You can create new Smart Folders at any time, grouping applications as you see fit.
Most launchers deal with what you are doing at a given time: what you watch, what you listen to. EverythingMe has a slightly different approach. Instead of focusing on current actions, he tries to predict what you will do.
Launcher for Android comes to the rescue when branded shell set by the smartphone manufacturer may get bored at some point. Launcher programs for Android often offer completely new interface, which can still be changed to your taste. In short, in this article we are going to take a look at the 10 best apps of this type in 2018.
What is a launcher for Android
If iOS is a completely closed operating system (programs access only a small part of it), then this cannot be said. Talented and smart developers can change the interface of the "green robot" almost drastically. That is why it is easy to find dozens of different launchers on Google Play. What can such applications do?
The task of the launcher is to change the interface of the operating system. This is something like the themes that were used by almost all owners. push-button telephones Nokia. But the theme only changes the design of the icons, and the launcher for Android changes absolutely everything - from the location of these very icons to the design of the desktops themselves.
And the best launcher for Android will definitely allow you to customize it for yourself - for this it provides numerous settings. Many applications of this kind are tailored for more than one interface - they offer hundreds or even thousands of additional themes, sometimes even the users themselves create them!
How to install and change the launcher for Android?
When you download and install the desired application, all that remains is to launch it. After that, it will automatically take you to the section where a new launcher is selected. You just need to activate it. But what if you want to go back to the old shell? Option one: uninstall the launcher in the standard way.
If you want to save it on your device, then you need to go to the settings of the launcher itself. There you will definitely find the item "Use the default launcher", in which you need to select your old proprietary shell.
You can also change the launcher for Android through the settings of the operating system. To do this, go to the "Home Screen" subsection - all installed shells and launchers are located there.
Nova Launcher - the best Android launcher in Russian
According to the editors, the site is the best free launcher for Android in Russian. It is especially suitable for those who like to experiment. The fact is that it is Nova Launcher that has the greatest customization tools. You can change and customize absolutely everything here!
This allows you to get new sensations from using your smartphone every day. It is also one of the few launchers that can import and export settings files. It turns out that you can transfer the interface you created to a new smartphone without any problems.
The settings of this launcher are made in Russian. The application allows you to separately customize the design of the operating system for vertical and horizontal display orientations. As mentioned above, all interface elements lend themselves to customization. You can even choose the scrolling speed of the application menu!
You will also be able to customize certain commands for different gestures. The problem with Nova Launcher is that by default the functionality of this application is not as wide as we would like it to be. Full functionality is provided only by the Prime version, and they ask about 300 rubles for it. However, such a rich set of features is worth it.
Yahoo Aviate Launcher
Have you installed hundreds of different applications on your smartphone? Have you already started to get confused about them? Then you need to download the best launcher for Android, which has the most convenient sorting of programs. It is Yahoo Aviate Launcher. In many other launchers, app shortcuts are sorted alphabetically. But you probably don't remember what some programs are called - searching for them regularly takes some time.
Well, in the Yahoo launcher, programs and games are divided into categories. Also, this launcher is able to predict user actions. Suppose night is approaching - in this case, the “Alarm Clock” application is displayed on the desktop. On weekends, shortcuts will constantly hang on the desktop social networks... Also, the launcher is guided by the readings of the GPS chip. And all this is easily customizable using a special panel with widgets!
Of course, artificial intelligence is capable of errors here. But the longer you use the launcher, the less often it will be produced. But another drawback is difficult to forgive the launcher. The fact is that this product refuses to work adequately on the tablet.
Solo Launcher
This program uses the Material Design style invented by Google a few years ago. At the same time, she offers more interface settings than the bare Android operating system. In total, the user is offered thousands of different themes and wallpapers.
Changed with Solo Launcher and the lock screen - this is done by plugins. There is also a special panel with current news- to access it, you need to swipe to the right on the main desktop.
Of course, this launcher also has disadvantages. The most important of them is the presence of the so-called accelerator. It cleans cache and persistent memory. Allegedly.
In fact, it all works through the stump deck. However, no one forbids you to forget about this functionality - no one forces you to use it. But the presence of ads can sometimes be annoying, but the application is free.
C Launcher
Many launchers noticeably load the system, which is why the user is faced with regular slowdowns. Fortunately, there are exceptions to the rule. These include C Launcher. It's fast, free, and convenient. The app contains a ton of different themes.
It also has a DIY function built in. It consists in a well-implemented constructor, with which you can easily create your own theme. It is also important that all the settings here are translated into the great and mighty Russian language.
An important feature of C Launcher is the ability to hide private applications from prying eyes. Also, this program can clean the cache, save battery power and perform other useful actions. At least, according to the assurances of the developers.
In fact, all these functions are required only on very low-power smartphones, which in recent times remains less and less. Overall, this must be the best Android launcher of 2018. But do not think that there is not even advertising here - the creators make money precisely with its help.
Hola launcher
Another fairly fresh project. It's hard to say if this is the best Android launcher in 2018 or not. We just note that it is surprisingly similar to a couple of other applications we've reviewed. Here, too, there is a function of clearing the cache, increasing the duration autonomous work and application management.
But the list of available topics here is completely different. The interface settings are also slightly different. But they are not particularly rich - it cannot be said that this launcher will provide you with something completely new and amazing. But the project is young, so it still has something to come.
You can experiment with this launcher. The fact is that a convenient theme builder is available here. The app has been installed by over 100 million people. Its distinctive feature is adequate performance even on very old versions of the operating room. Android systems... Only advertising can irritate here, although it is implemented in the most unobtrusive manner.
Atom Launcher
This is one of those launchers that adds functionality to the system in the form of launching a specific application by gesture. It also significantly changes the interface of the system.
This includes replacing the shortcuts of most of the preinstalled programs. The user is provided with numerous widgets that display the weather, time, favorite contacts, and also provide the ability to clear the RAM.
Among the features of the launcher, smart folders and a dock bar should be noted. The latter is a small panel containing up to 20 selected applications, which the user has access to at any time. It is very convenient!
As in some other launchers, here you can hide any applications - so they will not be seen by friends and other people who fall into the hands of your smartphone. Atom Launcher can run on Android 4.0.4 and above. The launcher itself is free, but not all content inside it is offered to download and run for free.
EverythingMe Launcher
Some launchers for some reason disappear from, and after a few years they return there. EverythingMe Launcher is a good example of this.
The developers of this application have done some work on the bugs and presented users with a high-quality product. This launcher changes the interface of the operating system beyond recognition. It also provides the user with the ability to create smart folders, all applications inside which are automatically sorted.
The main feature of the launcher is the multifunctional notification panel. It displays all the main events in an understandable way. At the same time, it, like all other elements of the launcher, can be customized in detail. The application also introduces a so-called forecast panel into the interface. It, like Google Now, focuses on your actions, showing all kinds of prompts.
For example, in the morning, shortcuts to news programs appear in it. It may also display a missed call or train schedule. Of course, the panel does not start working ideally right away, but after a few days of using EverythingMe Launcher.
In short, if you choose the best launchers for Android in Russian, then this application must be on the list! It is distributed free of charge, but some content inside can only be unlocked for money. But there are no ads here!
Launcher for Android Google Start
If you have used a smartphone from the Nexus series, then you are aware of the existence of the so-called bare operating system. Want to achieve the same result on another device, but don't want to experiment and reinstall the firmware? Then download yourself Google Start.
This is the simplest launcher that is distributed free of charge and has no ads. It makes the interface look like it appears in "nexus" and "pixels". It also includes a full-fledged Google Now, a guided service that can be accessed by swiping your finger from left to right on the home screen.
In general, the launcher does not provide anything fancy. On the contrary, it greatly simplifies the interface. After installing it, you will receive a standard application menu (which you may not even suspect about).
They are sorted alphabetically, but the last running programs are on a separate line, the topmost one. This launcher works on operating systems starting from Android 4.1.
Cobo Launcher: Easy Beautify
If you are one of those people who want to change the appearance of icons and other interface elements every day, then you need to install Cobo Launcher on your smartphone.
The fact is that on other launchers this process can seem complicated, which is why you quickly give up this idea. And in Cobo Launcher, everything is very simplified. Here the topics change by one-two-three, and their number exceeds all reasonable limits!
What's the catch? Only that this application cannot change the interface beyond recognition. It changes the wallpaper, icons, lock screen, date widget and some other interface elements. But in general terms, it still remains clear that Android is installed on the smartphone.
It should also be noted that the topics in the respective store are sorted into categories. Thus, you can easily find not only a very beautiful theme, but also one that is dedicated to some holiday, game or movie.
Who would like this Android launcher the most? Perhaps for those people who do not want to delve into the numerous settings. Here, the themes change literally in a couple of finger movements, from which many will be delighted. The launcher is distributed free of charge, but inside you can find ads.
It's scary to imagine how many years Apex Launcher has been around. This application was one of the first to try to change the appearance of the Android operating system. Since the release of the first version, the program has been repeatedly improved. At one time, some experts admitted that this is the best launcher for Android 6.0. However, the application does not do anything special. In fact, it deals with the eradication of branded shells.
That is, it provides the user with something similar to stock Android. But at the same time, the launcher has a sufficient number of settings. They help, say, change the number of icons displayed on one screen. Also here you can change the animation of swiping desktops. There is also support for third-party themes, thanks to which you can change the wallpaper, icons and other elements of the familiar interface.
What is the main advantage of Apex Launcher? Perhaps in the least load on the system. Many experts point out that compared to other launchers, this application consumes the least amount of RAM. It turns out that to use this program even on weak smartphones.
And still it should be noted the complete absence of advertising. In this case, the application can be downloaded absolutely free. But there is also a fly in the ointment.
Only in the paid version can you find the most useful settings and functions. For example, after installing it, a notification counter will be displayed on the icons, and the system will learn to open certain applications after special gestures. Well, as you might guess, the Pro version has a lot more animations and various effects.
Summarizing
Now you are familiar with the TOP 10 of the best launchers for Android in 2018. To be clear, this is just our opinion! And this is not a hit parade - you should not assume that the coolest launchers go first. Which one is the best? Only you can answer this question. Each of the described applications is good in its own way - their functionality is often strikingly different. What launcher do you use? Share your opinion in the comments.
Fast, smooth and customizable, Nova Launcher is one of the best modern launchers on Android. Nova offers an advanced look and feel with feature rich settings with minimal performance impact, allowing you to enjoy a refreshed home screen without worrying about mobile performance. There are tons of customizations, from color schemes and icon packs to customizing folders, dropdown menus, and a host of others.
Apex launcher
Apex Launcher lives up to its name and is another great Android launcher with a good balance of functionality and performance. Key features include customizable desktop grid sizes, nine screens, and a scroll box of up to five pages. Endless scrolling, animated transitions, many folder styles and several styles for app boxes, to name a few of the launcher's features. Paid version opens up even more possibilities, for example, more boxes, support for additional gestures, and others.
Buzz Launcher v.1.9.1.10
(Downloads: 2495)
Like many other Android launchers, Buzz Launcher comes packed with features, offering a unique, personalized Android experience. A distinctive feature of Buzz Launcher is the fact that the launcher not only easily creates home screens, but also offers to put them on the network, where you can see the work of other users and apply some solutions on your device. Avid personalization aficionados will be able to customize icons, wallpapers, folders, boxes and home screens, while less experienced users can find redesigned interfaces online and simply download whatever suits their tastes.
Smart Launcher
Smart Launcher provides users with a minimalist desktop with a radial menu where you can place your most used applications like mail, games, navigator and others. In addition, Smart Launcher also includes a smart app box that automatically sorts custom apps into convenient categories, for example: Games, Internet, Multimedia apps (not excluding manual settings, Certainly). The only drawback of Smart Launcher is the support for widgets, which is implemented only in the Pro version.
Launcher Pro
Version 0.8.6 RUS (Downloads: 4290)
Version 0.8.6 Plus RUS: (Downloads: 3817)
Key for PLUS (Downloads: 1761)
Once a cutting-edge launcher that has since faltered, Launcher Pro is still worth mentioning as it remains one of the launchers supporting older versions of Android Gingerbread or Eclair. Launcher Pro includes the ability to create up to seven home screens, with scrolling shortcuts and animated transitions available even on older devices. Unfortunately, while showing the age of the launcher, it's worth noting that Last update he saw in 2011. It's a holdover from the past, but if your smartphone is in the same age category then Launcher Pro is still worth a try.
ADW Launcher
ADW Launcher is an interesting case: a launcher app that works equally well whether you're using an ancient Android smartphone or one of the cutting edge devices on the market. ADW Launcher supports Android 1.6 (Donut) onwards, it offers Holo-like features even on older devices without overloading the system. ADW Launcher includes numerous skins, shortcut boxes, gesture support and many other functional features and settings. The paid version of ADW Launcher EX includes additional options, including a set of animated transitions, application box settings and many others.
GO Launcher EX
An old favorite that defies newfangled upstarts, GO Launcher EX offers a huge ecosystem of customization options, including thousands of themes, dozens of animated navigation transitions, gesture support, and more. Users of old mobile devices It will be pleasantly surprised to see that GO Launcher EX is compatible with numerous versions starting from 2.0, which guarantees support for devices released after 2009.
Action Launcher Pro ($ 3.99)
version: 3.7.3 Plus (Downloads: 1301)
Action Launcher Pro offers its own version user interface Android. The drop-down box with applications provides users with quick access to their library of applications and widgets (with convenient alphabetical sorting), as well as a specialized set of gestures, the execution of which at the top of the folder icon allows you to launch a variety of applications and shortcuts without having to search for them. In addition, Action Launcher Pro includes all the traditional launcher features such as the search bar and settings dock, icon scaling and hidden app box.
Launcher 8
Google play
Version 3.2.6 (Downloads: 3073)
Tired of the standard Android interface? Launcher 8 works directly with the home screen of your Adnroid device, offering a design and Windows functionality 8, with flat, colorful and uncompromising Windows Phone 8 Modern UI tiles. The launcher comes with a suite of apps and a tiled gallery, with the ability to change or add some interface elements, customize colors, backgrounds, and even simulate LiveTiles with your own widgets.
Hi Launcher
version: 1.9.1 (Downloads: 10388)
Perhaps we should call Hi Launcher "iLauncher". Hi Launcher mimics iOS on your Android device, right down to the iOS lock screen (complete with configuration features), glass dock icons, and iOS style folder icons. The launcher also offers a search box on the home screen with a variety of themes, wallpapers, and other customizations. Hi Launcher supports Android 2.2, which allows users who like the look of iOS and Android devices to use the launcher with Gingerbread, Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean.
