6 Android launchers that are better than your default home screen – and why

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Android launchers let you replace your default home screen.
• Six top launchers offer unique features, styles, and pricing.
• A new launcher can make your phone feel fresh and faster.

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One of the main reasons I started using Android (version 1.5 with an HTC Hero phone) was because it ran a version of the Linux kernel. I knew that fact would lead to a thing I value: flexibility.

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Although the steps toward flexibility weren’t exactly graceful, the platform came into its own within a few releases. As Android evolved, so too did its flexibility — as perfectly illustrated by the home screen launcher.

What is a home screen launcher?

A home screen launcher is akin to a desktop on a computer. It’s a user interface that allows you to access and run applications, view notifications, and keep everything organized.

Without a home screen launcher, your Android phone would be fairly useless. You would not be able to launch or view apps, personalize your home screen, access the app drawer, pull down the notification shade, or do anything on your handset. In short, the Android home screen launcher is essential.

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Not every Android phone ships with the same home screen launcher. For example, Pixel phones use the Pixel Launcher, One UI is Samsung’s default home screen launcher, OnePlus phones use the OnePlus Launcher, and Nothing phones ship with the Nothing Launcher.

Just because your phone ships with a specific home screen launcher doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it. Every Android phone can use different launchers. The one catch is you can’t install the likes of One UI on a Pixel phone; some launchers are device-specific, and they won’t run on other phones. For example, Nothing Launcher is only available to Nothing OS (which is Nothing’s take on Android).

Most home screen launchers on the Google Play Store are device-agnostic, which means you can install them on almost any Android phone. You can install and remove as many home screen launchers as you like.

The only limitation is that you do not want to remove the home screen launcher that shipped with your device (so you’ll always have one to fall back on). Of course, the number of home screen launchers you can install is dictated by the internal storage available on your phone.

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My approach is to install a home screen launcher, test it, and immediately remove it if I don’t like it.

As I mentioned, you can install several home screen launchers from the Google Play Store. Some of the better options are:

1. Olauncher

If you want minimalism, you want Olauncher. For those who prefer a clean home screen and a design that would make the most hardcore minimalist jealous, this is your launcher. Essentially, all you get on the home screen is the time/weather app and a customizable list of apps that appear only by name. From my perspective, it’s beautiful and should be considered by anyone who doesn’t like clutter. Case in point: I’ve switched from the Pixel Launcher to Olauncher (at least for the time being). 

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I find this launcher to be a unique take on the home screen, where so many launchers are the same-old, same-old. There is a Pro version of Olauncher (called Pro Launcher) in development, and you can install it during this early launch period. One very nice feature of Pro Launcher is called “Interrupt Apps,” which will gently interrupt you when you open certain apps to prevent doomscrolling. 

Either way you go, you get a minimal home screen launcher that is beautiful and easy to use. Olauncher is free to use.

2. Niagara Launcher

Niagara Launcher is a modern, minimalist home screen launcher for Android. Instead of interacting with your applications via the app drawer, you get a customizable and adaptive list front and center to launch apps quickly. Niagara also includes appointments at a glance and embedded notifications.

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With Niagara Pro, you can add integrated calendars and weather widgets, icon packs, widget stacks, home screen popups, Niagara Dots (a minimalist icon pack), Icon Assistant, custom fonts, and more. The Pro version costs $9.99 per year, or a lifetime purchase is $29.99.

3. Microsoft Launcher

Microsoft Launcher is another highly customizable launcher that includes features such as pinned contacts, personalized feed (which includes information like news, calendar events, docs, contacts, and more), Continue on PC (snap a photo on your phone, and it is automatically synced with your Windows PC), global search, and gesture customization. Microsoft Launcher is free.

4. Square Home

Square Home turns your home screen into interactive tiles. Square Home is one of the more unique home screen launchers on the market, and it takes some time to get used to. If you remember the now-defunct Microsoft Phone, the Square Home launcher will look very familiar. That said, once you get the hang of Square Launcher, it’s fun. Square Home offers a free trial, but once the trial is up, the launcher will cost you $2 per year or $5 for life.

5. Lynx Launcher

Lynx Launcher is inspired by the GNOME desktop. In fact, when you use Lynx Launcher, you almost feel like you’re using something more akin to a desktop interface. Lynx Launcher includes a dock for your most used applications, an alphabetically grouped app list (accessed via a right swipe), and plenty of customizations.

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You can purchase the Pro version, which adds several enhanced features, such as screen transitions, more desktop pages, individual icons for apps and folders, advanced theme and dark mode settings, new icon shapes, and more, as an in-app purchase for $4.

6. Action Launcher: Pixel Edition

Action Launcher (pictured above) is a great launcher for tablets because it lays everything out so that you have quick access to whatever you need. Because you can choose whether the search bar rests at the top or bottom of the screen, you’ll have easier access even without moving your hands when holding the tablet.

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I’ve found Action Launcher: Pixel Edition to be a great option for lesser-powered tablets and phones. Another interesting feature allows you to create a cover for a folder, so you don’t have to view the smaller versions of the icons for the folder. To open a cover, swipe up on the icon to reveal the contents within.

You can use Action Launcher: Pixel Edition for free or pay for the Adaptive Pack ($5) for additional features (such as adaptive icons and more search features) or pay $7 for the Plus version, which gets you access to in-app purchases to further expand the feature set.

An Android home screen launcher is required to interact with your phone. If you don’t like your default launcher, you can always install a different one from the Google Play Store. Search through the listings and see if you can find one that best suits your needs and personality.

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When you make a change, it will almost feel like you’ve purchased a brand-new phone. If you don’t like how your Android phone behaves, change it up, and enjoy the fresh look.