10 Best Android Launchers 2023

Discover the top 10 Android launchers for 2023 that will enhance your device's customization, speed, and performance.

The top Android launchers provide a fantastic opportunity to explore one of Android's most significant strengths: personalization. While your default launcher has its perks, it often comes with limitations. Fortunately, there's an abundance of alternative options available, enabling you to customize and tailor your Android phone to your liking.

These launchers can transform the appearance of your phone and introduce additional features you might not have thought possible. Whether you lean towards a clean and simple design, an explosion of vibrant colors, or simply desire a refreshing change for your device, you have a wide array of launcher choices at your fingertips. It all comes down to discovering the perfect one for your preferences.

In this article, we've compiled a list of the finest Android launchers available on the Google Play store.

1. Nova Launcher

When discussing top Android launchers, Nova Launcher deserves a special mention. It's known for its speed, sleek design, and exceptional customizability. Nova Launcher strikes a perfect balance between offering extensive options for personalizing your device's look and functionality while maintaining minimal impact on performance. This means you can set up your home screen just the way you like it without causing your device to slow down.

Nova Launcher provides a multitude of choices to explore. You can play with color themes, experiment with different icon packs, create scrollable docks, tweak the app drawer settings, and customize your folders. Additionally, you can enjoy the convenience of infinite scrolling. What sets Nova Launcher apart is its commitment to innovation. The Nova team continually introduces new features like Sesame Shortcuts, animations, and various enhancements to enhance your experience.

For users seeking the most powerful features, Nova Launcher Prime is available for a reasonable $4.99. This premium version unlocks even more capabilities beyond the free download, making it a valuable choice for those who want the best of what Nova Launcher has to offer.

[Download Nova Launcher ##download##]

2. Niagara Launcher

Niagara presents itself as a streamlined Android launcher, prioritizing your apps and notifications as the focal point while minimizing other distractions. Notably, notifications are showcased directly on your home screen, and the launcher does a smart job of sifting through and excluding spammy or persistent notifications.

Additionally, the app drawer is designed to effortlessly bring your favorite apps to the forefront, offering convenient alphabetical shortcuts for easy access. However, it's important to note that Niagara's approach leans heavily towards minimalism, so don't expect the flashy visual bells and whistles commonly found in other third-party launchers.

Although it may lack some of the fancy frills, it's worth mentioning that Niagara is regularly updated, indicating ongoing development and a promising future.

[Download Niagara Launcher ##download##]

3. Smart Launcher 6

Smart Launcher has earned its reputation as one of the preferred Android launchers, thanks to its uncomplicated "flower" favorites grid and well-organized app folders. The latest iteration, Smart Launcher 6, takes things up a notch with a host of new features and enhancements. While the iconic flower grid remains a feature, Smart Launcher 6 introduces several carefully designed layouts that ensure your favorite apps are always within easy reach, even when using just one hand.

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With its intelligent search and a highly organized, customizable app drawer, finding what you need – whether on your device or online – is a breeze. Enhancements like adaptive icons and colors, fully resizable widgets, and a range of customizations further enrich the experience, breathing new life into this classic launcher.

However, to unlock many of these additional features, such as pop-up widgets and expanded gesture controls, you'll need to invest $7 in the Pro version of Smart Launcher.

[Download Smart Launcher ##download##]

4. AIO Launcher

In contrast to other launchers that focus on cleaning up and visual personalization, AIO Launcher takes a different approach by aiming to maximize the information available on your screen while maintaining a relatively minimalist design. This app presents an array of useful elements on your screen, including frequently used apps, system details, recent calls, messages, emails, and upcoming calendar events. It's essentially a one-stop information hub.

While AIO Launcher offers a free version, you can enhance your experience through in-app purchases, which unlock features like widget support, customized app icons, and the ability to view Android notifications directly in the home screen stream.

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It's worth noting that AIO Launcher might not be the most user-friendly option among the best Android launchers, but if you appreciate a high level of information density, it's certainly an intriguing choice to consider.

[Download AIO Launcher ##download##]

5. Hyperion Launcher

Hyperion Launcher, developed by the creators of the popular Substratum theming engine, offers an Android launcher with a Pixel-like vibe and an extensive range of customization options. This app empowers you to fine-tune a wide array of settings to suit your preferences.

In addition to the usual wallpapers and widgets, users have the freedom to configure settings related to themes, folders, transparency, animations, icon packs, and adaptive icons. Hyperion generously offers many of its features for free. However, certain advanced features, like changing the font at the launcher level and creating custom gestures, are accessible with an in-app purchase for the Pro version.

[Download Hyperion Launcher ##download##]

6. Action Launcher

The Action Launcher Pixel Edition stands out as one of the early adopters among major third-party launchers to embrace a Pixel-inspired transformation. It seamlessly marries its high level of customizability with the fresh interface features and styles that the Pixel Launcher brought to the table. 

Within Action Launcher, you'll find elements like an adaptive app bar, the distinctive pill-shaped Google search bar, and app shortcuts reminiscent of Oreo. A user-friendly slide-out app drawer simplifies access to your app library and widgets. Additionally, the launcher offers clever gestures such as "covers" and "shutters" for quick and convenient navigation.

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A notable feature of Action Launcher is its ability to automatically detect the dominant colors in your wallpaper and then harmonize the app drawer, folder backgrounds, and search box to match these hues. This creates a visually cohesive and pleasing experience on your home screen.

[Download Action Launcher ##download##]

7. POCO Launcher

While Xiaomi's phones aren't widely accessible in the US, you can still get a feel for the Poco Launcher by downloading it from the Google Play Store. The Poco Launcher takes a departure from Xiaomi's typical design style, presenting an app drawer that comes with smart category tabs. These tabs automatically group your apps into categories like Communication and Photography for an organized experience.

This launcher provides flexibility in terms of screen layout, transition effects, support for icon packs, and the display of notification badges. While it may not offer the same level of deep customization as some competing launchers, it boasts an attractive design and leans toward simplicity. Recent updates have introduced features like dark mode support and the option to lock your phone with a simple screen tap.

[Download Poco Launcher ##download##]

8. Microsoft Launcher

Microsoft has rebranded its Arrow Launcher as the Microsoft Launcher, retaining the compact, context-aware app pages and customizable feed that made Arrow so popular. In addition to maintaining these key features, Microsoft has been working to enhance the interaction between your Android phone and your Windows PC.

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With this launcher, users can effortlessly capture photos on their phones and instantly view them on their desktops. They can also seamlessly open web links from their mobile device in the Edge browser on their PC. Furthermore, you can begin editing Office 365 documents on your computer and seamlessly continue working on them when you're on the move with your mobile phone.

These features are complemented by Microsoft's universal search bar, the option to personalize themes, and customizable gesture controls, making the Microsoft Launcher a versatile and user-friendly choice for Android users.

[Download Microsoft Launcher ##download##]

9. Square Home

Square Home, though it might not be the most well-known, is highly regarded by users who appreciate straightforward, minimalist designs that are easy to navigate. This launcher stands out by supporting widgets despite its grid-based layout, offering the choice to scroll either horizontally or vertically, and allowing you to fill every inch of your screen with handy shortcuts.

The best part is that Square Home offers a 14-day trial, free of charge. If you find it to your liking, you can unlock the full app and its pro features for a reasonable $4.99. Whether you're in the market for a Microsoft-style app launcher, a no-frills design that's easy to use, or something entirely unique, Square Home has remained a top choice for millions of users for a good reason. It's worth giving it a try.

[Download Square Home ##download##]

10. Total Launcher

Versatility is a significant advantage when it comes to app launchers, and Total Launcher lives up to its name. This highly adaptable app offers a wealth of customization options, accommodating both minimalistic and more detailed preferences with a wide range of widgets and theming possibilities. The best part? You don't need to be an expert in theming, as the developer offers a free pack of themes, including a divine LCARS theme.

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Just like many other launchers, Total Launcher is available for free. If you're looking to unlock extra features, such as folder search and hidden apps, you have two options: you can subscribe for a modest $1.99 a year, or opt for the in-app purchase at $4.99, which is a reasonable deal considering the features it provides.

[Download Total Launcher ##download##]

Android launchers empower users with extensive personalization options. From the sleek Nova Launcher to the minimalist Niagara Launcher and feature-rich Smart Launcher, there's a launcher for every taste. Whether you prefer information-rich screens, a Pixel-inspired experience, or unique designs, options like POCO Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, Square Home, and Total Launcher cater to your needs. These Android launchers enhance both aesthetics and usability, allowing you to tailor your device to your liking.