Best Launcher apps for Android Phones

Are you bored with the stock Launcher app on your Android phone? I am with you, I got bored with the default launcher and have used many alternative launchers. So, which one is for you?

Here is a list of free Launcher apps that will help you 😉

ADW Launcher

A simple Home Replacement app. Available by default on CM7

Requires: Android 2.0 or Higher

Market Link: https://market.android.com/details?id=org.adw.launcher&feature=related_apps

Pros: Option to hide status bar, Highly Customizable (too many customizations to list here), Backup/Restore ADW settings, Small install size, 7 home screens, Wallpaper scrolling, Customize columns/rows, Homescreen Transition animations

Cons: No scrollable dock, The free version hasn’t been updated for nearly a year. Probably abandoned, but still pretty good

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Go Launcher EX

Eye-candy Home Replacement app with many themes. If you want a launcher with a beautiful UI, this is for you.

Market Link: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.gau.go.launcherex&feature=related_apps

Requires: Android 2.0 or Higher

Pros: Go Widgets, Highly Customizable (custom dock background,dock icons,App drawer background), Backup/Restore settings, Supports Desk Migrate (copy homescreen icons from other launchers), Several free themes available (official & by fans), Add multiple shortcuts to homescreen simultaneously, Direct uninstallation of apps from the homescreen

Cons: Installer is big (4+ MB)

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Launcher 7

A Windows Phone 7 style launcher for Android.

Requires: Android  2.1 or later

Market Link: https://market.android.com/details?id=info.tikuwarez.launcher3&feature=search_result

Pros: Windows 7 UI, Large Tiles (Buttons), Moderately Customizable, Backup/restore layout, Widget and mail tiles

Cons: Free version is ad-supported(has an ad in application list), No dock

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Launcher Pro

Simple,customizable and fast home replacement app.

Requires: Android 2.0 or Higher

Market Link: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.fede.launcher&feature=search_result

Pros: Highly customizable (homescreen icons,dock,dock icons), 3d App Drawer, Simplistic UI, 7 home screens, Smooth performance, Supports scrollable widgets, Unread sms/mail and missed call count, Supports Icon packs, Customize rows/columns, Hide the status bar, Wallpaper scrolling

Cons: Free version doesn’t allow resizing of widgets, maybe a bit difficult to customize at first, No themes, Launcher Pro widgets unavailable in the free version

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Nemus Launcher

A simple home replacement app

Requires: Android 2.1 or Higher

Market Link: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.nemustech.launcher&feature=search_result

Pros: 9 Homescreens, Landscape support, side-scrolling app drawer, Simplistic UI, 16 Icons per homescreen, 3 docks (drag and drop icons to the dock)

Cons: Cannot change dock background or dock icons, Does not support scrollable widgets

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Regina 3D Launcher

Launcher app with 3D effects

Requires: Android 2.1 or Higher

Market Link: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.nemustech.regina&feature=more_from_developer

Pros: Eye-candy Launcher with 3D effects, Backup/restore settings, Supports scrollable widgets, Secret workspace (to place apps and password protect them), Regina widgets, Direct un-installation of apps from the homescreen, Separate wallpaper for each workspace

Cons: Slightly laggy, No Live Wallpapers, No option to change dock background/icons, only 5 homescreens

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Zeam Launcher

Another simple launcher app

Requires: Android 2.2 or Higher

Market Link: https://market.android.com/details?id=org.zeam&feature=related_apps

Pros: Tiny installer barely 400K, supports 8 Dock icons, 7 Homescreens, Gesture support, Custom dock backgrounds, Smooth performance
Cons: Can’t change dock icons, Does not support scrollable widgets

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Conclusion:

My favorite Home Replacement App – Launcher Pro.
A good wallpaper with a custom dock/icons and your phone will stand out from the crowd 🙂

Which Launcher do you use? Share your thoughts by posting a comment below.

Some more posts about Android apps:
Best free QWERTY keyboard apps for Android https://ashwingeek.wordpress.com/2011/08/14/best-free-qwerty-keyboard-apps-for-android/

Best Weather Apps/Widgets for Android Phones https://ashwingeek.wordpress.com/2011/08/11/best-weather-appswidgets-for-android-phones/

Best Video Players for Android Phones http://ashwingeek.wordpress.com/2011/08/28/best-video-players-for-android-phones/

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