One of the great advantages of Android over other operating systems is the ability to customize your smartphone experience – not only with widgets, but we have the option to change the entire way that our phone handles our home screens and our app drawer. Your smartphone will have a totally different look and feel with new icons, widgets, wallpapers, and even notification drawers. Below we picked ten great launcher applications for you to choose from and listed them below – techies that choose to use a launcher are fiercely loyal to their brand and many will not even use their new device until they load on their launcher. Many people do not like TouchWiz and Sense and a launcher is one way to bypass the stock user interface.
Please let us know on our Google+ Page if you use a launcher and which one is your favorite and why – let’s get a discussion going for Android users that may want to try a launcher, but have no idea which one to download.
10. Buzz Launcher
Like many launcher applications, Buzz Launcher allows you to customize your Android interface, however, the difference with Buzz is that after you create your new home screen, you can actually share them online or browse through other users’ designs. You can tweak icons, wallpapers, home screen options, and more. GRAB IT HERE on Google Play.
9. Espier Launcher
Espier Launcher takes your Android and turns your screens into Apple’s iPhone classic styling. Due to copyright laws, the launcher certainly cannot use exact Apple icons. It combines the advantages of the Android operating system with the classic Apple-style home screen effects and functions. GRAB IT HERE on Google Play.
8. Next Launcher 3D
There is a free version to try out before you purchase the paid version with more options. This launcher offers extremely fancy, fast, and dynamic 3D visual effects, transition effects, batch app management with gestures, with 3D screen previews and 3D widgets – a very comprehensive package. The paid version has many more features and is 50-percent off at this time. GRAB IT HERE on Google Play.
7. ADW Launcher
ADW Launcher is designed to work with older versions of Android – from 1.6 (Donut) up to 4.3 and can offer Holo-like features on even some of the older devices without taxing the resources. There are the usual skins, docks, folders, and more – buying the paid ADW Launch EX includes additional options. GRAB IT HERE on Google Play.
6. Smart Launcher
Smart Launcher starts with a minimalist home screen with a circle of menu slots where you put you most used applications, such as the dialer, contacts, gallery, mail, text messaging, etc. It has an intelligent app drawer that sorts your apps by categories, such as games, internet, and so on. Widgets are only available on the pro version for $3.99. GRAB IT HERE on Google Play.
5. Aviate Launcher
Aviate is still in its Beta form and is different from your typical launchers. It automatically categorizes your apps and intelligently rearranges your home screen throughout the day. It dynamically gives you the apps you use the most during that time of day based on past habits. When you wake up, the screens will greet you with the time, weather, and any meetings for the day. When driving, you will automatically get your traffic directions. If you are out for dinner, it will automatically show you photos, tips, and reviews of your favorite restaurants. GRAB IT HERE on Google Play.
4. Apex Launcher
Apex is another top launcher that lives up to its name and has that great balance of features and performance. It offers many options and customizations and it allows you to have up to nine screens and scrollable docks with up to five pages. The free version has enough options for most users, but the paid version unlocks even more option. GRAB IT HERE on Google play.
3. Go Launcher EX
Many users started with this old favorite, and because of its age, there is a huge ecosystem of customizations – thousands of themes, dozens of animated transitions for navigation and launching your apps. Its age also allows it to be compatible with Android 2.0 and up. GRAB IT HERE on Google play.
2. Nova Launcher
One of the most popular Android launchers and it is fast, sleek, and highly customizable. Nova tries to give you a highly powerful launcher while at the same time allowing minimal impact on the performance of your device. There are many options available during setup, such as, color themes, icon packs, scrollable docks, and more. It will only work on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and up. GRAB IT HERE on Google Play.
1. Action Launcher
Action Launcher is the personal favorite of many users – there is a free version and the paid version that allows more options, so you can try it out and see if you like it before you put out your hard-earned money for the paid version. A “hamburger-type” slide-out app drawer provides quick access to your app or widget library. It has very fast interface and has is very smooth in its operation. GRAB IT HERE on Google Play.