The best Android launcher depends on what bugs you about your current home screen: clutter, missing features or how much time you spend on your phone. Look at how it organises apps, how far you can customise it and whether it shows ads. Nine launchers follow in no particular order, plus how to switch safely.
A launcher is the app that draws your home screen and app drawer, and Android lets you replace the one your phone came with. It's one of the quickest ways to make an old phone feel new, or to make a new phone work the way you think.
The nine launchers below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, from feature-packed launchers loved by power users to minimal launchers designed to cut screen time. Each description comes from the launcher's own website or Google Play listing, re-checked today. If your phone's playing up generally, my guide to Circle to Search on Android shows another built-in feature worth knowing.
Android launchers at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the launcher's own site or Google Play listing describes a free version, free install or open source app, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated. Many free launchers offer a premium upgrade for extra gestures or themes.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action Launcher | Pixel-style launcher | Pixel features on any phone | Yes |
| Hyperion Launcher | Customisable launcher | Deep visual customisation | Yes |
| Kvaesitso | Search-first launcher | Finding anything by typing | Yes |
| Lawnchair | Open-source launcher | A clean stock Android feel | Yes |
| Microsoft Launcher | Productivity launcher | Linking phone and Windows PC | Yes |
| Niagara Launcher | Minimalist launcher | One-handed use on big phones | Yes |
| Nova Launcher | Customisable launcher | Long-standing custom setups | Yes |
| Olauncher | Text-only launcher | Cutting screen time | Yes |
| Smart Launcher | Auto-sorting launcher | Apps grouped automatically | Yes |
Nine Android launchers
Action Launcher
Best for: Owners of non-Pixel phones who like the Pixel look and want quick themes from their wallpaper.
Hyperion Launcher
Best for: Tinkerers who enjoy adjusting every icon, gesture and colour until the home screen looks exactly right.
Kvaesitso
Best for: People who'd rather type to find apps, contacts and files than swipe through pages of icons.
Lawnchair
Best for: Users who want the stock Pixel experience with a few extra options and no ads or tracking.
Microsoft Launcher
Best for: Windows and Outlook users who want their calendar, tasks and documents in a feed on the phone home screen.
Niagara Launcher
Best for: Anyone with a large phone who wants every app reachable with a thumb from a single, tidy list.
Nova Launcher
Best for: Long-time Android users who rely on gestures, icon packs and backups of a carefully built layout.
Olauncher
Best for: People trying to use their phone less, who want plain text in place of colourful icons and badges.
Smart Launcher
Best for: Busy users who want apps sorted into categories for them instead of building folders by hand.
Switching back takes seconds
People worry that a new launcher will wreck their phone. It won't. Google's Pixel help explains that you change defaults in Settings, Apps, Default apps, and that clearing a default means the phone asks again which app to use.
What that means for you: trying a launcher is low risk. Install it, set it as your home app for a few days, and if you don't like it, switch the default back in Settings and your old home screen returns as it was.
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Custom, minimal or search-first?
Customisable launchers let you change icons, grids, gestures and folders, and suit people who enjoy tweaking. Minimal launchers replace icons with plain text lists to make the phone less tempting, which suits anyone trying to use it less. Search-first launchers put a search bar at the centre so you type to find apps, contacts and files.
Think about how you open apps today. If you mostly search, a search-first launcher will feel natural. If you scroll pages of icons, a customisable launcher can tidy them.
Trying a new launcher
- Take a screenshot of your current home screen so you can recreate it.
- Install the launcher and open it once.
- Set it as the default home app when your phone asks.
- Import your layout if the launcher offers it.
- Use it for at least three days before deciding.
- Switch the default back in Settings if it isn't for you.
Launcher features worth having
- Backup and restore. Saves your layout when you change phone.
- Gestures. Swipes and double taps to open apps faster, or to call up an assistant; my guide to using Gemini on Android shows how the assistant fits in.
- Hidden apps. Keeps rarely used apps out of the drawer.
- Icon pack support. Lets you change the whole look in one go.
Phones that need a little extra care
Some phone makers add their own battery savers, which can close a third-party launcher in the background and make it reload. If your new launcher keeps restarting, look in your phone's battery settings and allow it to run unrestricted. On work phones, your employer's device policy may also limit which launchers you can set as default.
Do you make an Android launcher? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing an Android launcher
Decide what you want to change before you pick. If you want more control, a customisable launcher will keep you happy for years. If you want less screen time, a minimal launcher does more good than any app timer, because it removes the colourful icons that pull you in.
Whichever you try, check the permissions it asks for and whether it shows ads. A launcher sees every app you open, so a clean, ad-free one from a developer with a long track record is worth more than an extra theme.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best launcher for Android?
It depends on your goal: customisable launchers for control, minimal launchers for less screen time, search-first launchers for speed.
Are Android launchers free?
Most offer a free version. Several here are open source, and some sell an upgrade for extra features.
Is it safe to use a third-party launcher?
Generally yes, but check permissions and reviews, and avoid launchers full of ads.
How do I go back to my old launcher?
Change the default home app in Settings, under Apps and Default apps, or clear the new launcher's default.
Do launchers slow down your phone?
Lightweight launchers can make an older phone feel quicker; heavy themes and widgets can do the opposite.
Will I lose my apps if I change launcher?
No. A launcher only changes how apps are shown; your apps and data stay on the phone.
