Best Launcher apps for Android Phones
August 16, 2011 7 Comments
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 π
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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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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A Windows Phone 7 style launcher for Android.
Requires: AndroidΒ 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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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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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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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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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 π
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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Hi Ashwin,
i haven’t tried much launcher apps but i have tried Launcher 7 and i loved it, really awesome π
but Ads in app drawer really turned me off and i’m back on launcher pro.
launcher pro is good π
thanks for the informative post π
Regards
Yes, Launcher 7 is a really unique app. π
Shame they put an ad in it π¦ , they could have made a free version with limited features instead
AGREED with LauncherPro. In fact, I keep searching the Market for something better and I never find anything. I’ve got an Atrix 4G on AT&T right now, and I actually like the Blur interface/launcher update they released with the Gingerbread official rom so much that I haven’t used LP, but I still love it, bought the Pro unlocker too.
You may want to try the MIUI Launcher: http://androidspin.com/2011/08/10/app-miui-launcher-look-a-like-giving-you-the-look-of-miui-without-the-rom/
Been testing it, looks great π
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currently rocking out Go Launcher EX on my moto milestone1 with CM7.1 RC10. ADW was just laggy on it’s app drawer and a couple of FCs and waits.
Installed Zeam and it just didnt cut out like I hoped it would. The same case with laggyness is bugging me.
Just tried out the Go Launcher EX for a couple of hours with default theme and its quite smooth, and i might be keeping it for good.
Not a big fan of too much customization and themes. If Zeam gives a great update then i might be going back cause installer file is just so small…
Yes I wish they would fix the lag in Zeam. Perhaps its an issue with CM7, as the comments at the Android Market and App Brain say its working fine for many.
Not sure why ADW lags on your phone, works fine for me.
You may wanna try Launcher Pro for its small size and smooth performance π