Lawnchair 14 and other top 5 Android launchers review
Android is a highly popular operating system that offers you powerful open-source functionality. One of the best features that you stand to get is the ability to change the app launcher. With several app launchers available, choosing the best among them can be a challenging task. Want to check the best app launchers for your Android? Let us help you pick the best among them.
Customization is something that Android specializes in. Some Android users love the flexibility of being able to change their smartphone interface from time to time. To do this, Android offers the option of Android launchers with which you can apply a customized interface on your smartphone and give it a new look and feel.
If you are looking for the best Android launchers for your phone, we have a collection of the top 6 best Android launchers you would want to explore. Lawnchair 14 - The all-new prominent Android launcher
Lawnchair is a very popular Android launcher. If you are looking for an Android launcher best suited for a Pixel device, Lawnchair should be your first choice. It is heavily inspired by the Pixel launcher available on the Pixel devices.
Lawnchair 14 was recently launched and provides support for the latest build of the OS. It works on devices on Android 14. It also offers you support for several new functions, including no-root global search, the ability to hide the persistent dock, QuickSwitch support for Android 10 to 14, and much more. While the latest version of the launcher works on Android devices running Android 10 to 14, devices on versions before Android 13 will not have the features specifically designed for Android 14.
QuickSwitch is one of the most unique features and offers customizations for the Recents app switcher while retaining smooth animations and transitions. It also provides support for a wide range of features, which include Hide the Dock, custom icon shapes, enhanced font support, and much more. Top 5 formidable launchers on Android to explore
While Lawnchair has been the most prominent launcher on Android, there are a few equally capable launchers that you can give a try. Let us explore a few of them for providing your phone with a new look.Niagara Launcher
It isn't a typical Android launcher. You do not have an app launcher here. As soon as you install the launcher and enable it, all your apps are available at your disposal. You can swipe to the left to look for the apps alphabetically and launch them.
One of the best features we liked is the Niagara widget. It is akin to Google at a glance feature. It provides you access to day, date, time, battery percentage, and weather data all in one place. And yes, the features on this widget are better customizable, just unlike the At A Glance widget. That makes it more efficient and powerful than the default launcher.
It is worth noting that the Niagara launcher is a freemium app where a few premium features are hidden behind the paywall. Nova Launcher
Ask any Android user who has used Android launchers, and they will swear by the name of Nova Launcher. It has always been a hot favorite with almost every Android user since the days of Android Jellybean. Even for me. I remember having used the launcher on my Samsung S3.
Nova launcher is one of the first Android launchers that has inspired a host of newbie Android Launchers. When you install and launch it, it will look very basic initially. However, go into the Settings app for the launcher, and you will find it offers a huge list of features. The launcher is highly customizable.
The premium version has several outstanding features. But, even on the free version, you can have access to several unique features. A few of the prime options that you may find impressive can include custom icons, night mode, dark theme, customizable app drawer, scrolling effects, and more. Invariably, it is the best Android launcher that has ever happened to us. Apex Launcher
Apex launcher is yet another Android launcher that early Android users fondly remember. I have used this launcher as well. The design and feel offered by the launcher make it a genuinely prominent option to go with. Even when it comes to the features, the launcher ticks most of the points.
The launcher comes with a freemium model, and the free version does get most of the tasks you would need. Some of the features I found interesting include home screen customization, app drawer, dock, folders, animations, and the ability to hide apps. The Themes section offers you multiple themes to try out.
The ads that appear within the UI can be a little distracting and annoying. Of course, buying the premium version lets you remove the ads. The lifetime Pro version is the best affordable option to go with. Microsoft Launcher
Think there is a mistake? Nope, you read it correctly. Microsoft has its launcher. And I found it very decent. The launcher looks a little cartoonish. But in terms of features, it is packed with a lot of them. It syncs with many of Google apps, including Google Calendar.
One of the features that I liked with the launcher includes the ability to customize the home screen layout, dock, and app drawer and add gestures. The feed on the launcher is another feature that I found innovative. It includes a calendar, to-do list, sticky notes, frequently used apps, documents, screen time, and recent activities.
It also lets you sign in with your Microsoft account to be able to sync your documents and other data. Perhaps an excellent option to sync between Android and Microsoft. Hyperion Launcher
If you are exploring Pixel-like launchers, just like Lawnchair launchers, this one is the right choice for your needs. Just like Nova, it looks minimal on the first launch but can be customized better. The Settings app has several features baked into it.
You can change and customize practically anything, including the background color of the dock, drawer, widgets, folders, and icons. You can easily customize the UI according to your standards. You can also access a broader theme support.
High-end customisations available on the Premium version further make it a prominent choice to go with. The premium features include themed icons, gestures, and widget customizations. In Conclusion
That was a list of the best Android launchers that you can explore on your Android device. Of course, Lawnchair 14 is the most preferred launcher - thanks to its outstanding feature set and options. But, the other top 5 launchers should equally be a good choice for ensuring a great way to decorate your Android device just the way you wish to.
Check each of these launchers and find which among them meets your specific needs and expectations. Based on what appeals to you, the right launcher can be chosen and finalized.