Most Android smartphones are pre-equipped with a default or what is commonly known as stock launchers. Launchers, like in the PCs, enable its users to interface with their device – to navigate from the home screens to our installed apps. In short, it enables us to use our tablets and mobile phones properly to get things done.
Launchers have the certain characteristic of uniqueness and freedom of customization. Home launchers are one of the few features of Android and what defines it as a droid device.
Basically, Android launchers provide flexible arrangements so that users can build something that works for them. Just like most desktop PCs, shortcuts and widgets can be dragged and dropped into the home screen for quick access and in the same way establish an aesthetic enrichment to one’s handheld gadget.
It seems though that many experienced Android users (like me) are not satisfied with the default home launchers installed may be because of poor customization options, sluggish performance or most of the time resource-hogging issues.
My list here covers some of the most recommended home launcher replacements. Some are better versions of our default launchers while some offers even a unique way of navigating the Android UI.
- Nova launcher – known for its silky smooth performance and high customization options. Sports the default Android interface (scrolling wallpaper, multiple homescreens, widgets and app shortcuts) but is better from what the stock launchers offer. Available in free and paid versions.
- ssLauncher – sports a magazine-like interface and is also highly customizable from screen fonts to wallpapers and home screens giving that magazine page per page likeness. Available in free version.
- Espier Launcher – if you fancy IPhone’s user interface, this is the closest one you can ever use to make it look like an Apple device. Apps can be sorted, reordered and saved according to your needs. Widgets can be added using a widget page. Available in free version.
- Next Launcher 3D – a highly acclaimed launcher because of its fluid 3D interface. From the creators of Go Launcher, this offers eye candy awesomeness for fast Android devices. Only available in paid version.
- Smart Launcher – identified as the minimalist home launcher and the only one with an auto category feature for your apps, making it the fastest to launch apps with just a few taps in your screen. No app shortcuts and widgets can be added to its home screen though. Available in free and paid version.
Here are a few more home launcher replacements that might suit you:




