Currently using and have used the Niagra launcher for years. To me, ease of use and getting to the apps I need quickly and efficiently is the most important thing about a launcher. I've tried many of the "minimalistic" launchers over time, and this is the only one that truly felt useful. I'd highly recommend it to people who just use their phone as an app launcher, as opposed to having a bunch of widgets on the homescreen or something.
this post was submitted on 23 Jun 2023
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Android
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Neo Launcher, it's the closest think to Nova, but there is still a lot of bugs.
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OLauncher, it's FOSS, minimalist, simple and available on F-Droid.
Finally a launcher that won't be bought by a data telemetry company
If you want to try something alternative check out "niagara launcher". You need some time to get used to it, but the UX is really clever IMO
Currently, Smart Launcher. I've used Nova for over a decade, until it was filled with spyware that phones home almost 2 thousand times a day. I don't really like the pricing model for Smart, however I've subscribed for a month, set it up how I like it, and canceled the sub. Everything still works, you just can't change it until you resub
Despite the privacy issues after the buyout, I'm still using Nova Launcher.
On the work phone I'm using the Microsoft one and it's surprisingly good too. It's not quite as customisable as Nova but it does a fair amount as well. I like the configurable leftmost screen, it's like a powered up widget viewer.
Been using the Microsoft launcher for years after leaving Nova and have to say I've been surprisingly pleased with it.
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Using Nova Prime since many years now. Very satisfied, never felt the need to use anything else
I've been using smart-launcher for years now, and it's what I'm used to, gestures and a nice app menu that automtically categorises applications is nice.
Seconding Smart Launcher. Automatic categorization beats pretty much every other feature I can think of in a launcher.
I try to treat my devices as commitments as far as spending but disposable as far as usage habits and not having invent my own categories helps me just USE my phone instead of playing with it.
AIO launcher.
Looks nothing like a regular launcher, but works great for me, can have calendar, news, tasks etc all in one convenient scrolling home screen
I've never tried an alternate launcher, do you need to root your phone to do it? And can you easily go back if you change your mind?
No need to root and you can always switch back to your previous launcher / uninstall the launcher. It's pretty much an alternative homepage and app drawer.
Then just customize it the way you like it and grab some icon packs, most of them are free or at a symbolic price
You could try Niagara Launcher or Nova, my current one and see how you like it
I'm using CalyxOS's default launcher, but on regular Android I pretty much always use Nova launcher.
Smart launcher for me. The automatic app sorting along with its ambient theme is super awesome. Highly recommend it.
Niagara, Lawnchair, Kvaesitso, Olauncher
I loved using Nova, but they got bought by a data mining company. I'm using Active Launcher now.
Oh what? Damn I've been using only Nova for years and years. Who bought them?
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Smart Launcher for me. I've been using it since the Smart Launcher 3 days, and it's really still a launcher with no-nonsense UI that doesn't change a lot, for example you can still modify it to feel just like SL3 with the left side app menu and gestures.
Liked it so much I bought the pro version of SL3 and later on, get the full license for SL5 (and onwards).
I use the Windows launcher, it's really smooth.
After many years with Nova, I dumped it after the sale, and tried a few. MS Launcher was pretty good, but I settled on Total Launcher.
Very, very customisable, although a bit of a learning curve. I have a feeling I'm only scratching the surface of what it can do, but that's enough for me :-)
Let's see that home page!
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