7 launchers you should use instead of Nova Launcher
Nova Launcher has been the go-to app for Android customization for well over a decade. It earned that well-deserved status by giving users more control than stock launchers ever could, from how icons looked to how gestures worked to how the app drawer was laid out. But all good things come to an end, and the development of the app has drawn to a close. Anyone following the industry would’ve seen the writing on the wall when the app got taken over by Branch Metrics a while back. All that to say that updates and future compatibility remain unlikely. And if you haven’t been keeping up with alternate launchers for a while now — it’s time to start planning for what comes next. The good news is that Android’s launcher scene has grown rich and varied, and these are some of my favorite Nova Launcher alternatives that stand out right now.
Niagara Launcher
Niagara sits at the top of my list because it doesn’t try to copy Nova at all. It’s a ground rethink of what a launcher should be by stripping everything back to a vertical list that you can easily scroll with one hand. Notifications integrate directly into the list, and the whole experience feels designed for speed and focus. On big phones, it’s a relief to stop stretching across the screen to reach icons. And the simplistic interface quickly becomes muscle memory for reaching out and launching apps without even looking at the screen. More than that, though, the pared-back experience has helped me a lot with cutting down digital noise.
Of course, this means Niagara doesn’t replicate Nova’s granular customization. You don’t get grid layouts or multi-layered docks. There’s a single slot for widgets, though you can swipe through them carousel style. But what you lose in customisation, in return you gain a cleaner interface that reduces distractions and makes your phone feel like a tool instead of a toy. Once you live with it, it’s hard to go back to the clutter.
Lawnchair
If Niagara is a bit too much outside your comfort zone, Lawnchair offers the perfect comfortable dose of familiarity. It looks and behaves like Pixel launcher, but with more flexibility, which makes it an easy jump for Nova users. In fact, the app is quite literally a port of Pixel Launcher with additional features tacked on. Lawnchair is a supercharged version of the Pixel Launcher you know and love. It supports Material You theming, third-party icon packs, and even automatic organisation of apps, as well as better widget handling. Because it’s open source and backed by a community, development is pretty quick, and the team actively adds in features with nightly releases.
Action Launcher
As good as Action Launcher is, it’s always been considered a tier-2 alternative to Nova despite the fact that Action Launcher has been around almost as long as Nova. However, with Nova Launcher out of the picture, it might be time for Action Launcher to shine. The app has built up a distinct identity with features like Quicktheme, which pulls colors from your wallpaper — Material You style. There are other cool additions as well, with Shutters being my favorite. Shutters lets you swipe an app icon to reveal the accompanying widget. Another swipe and it’s back to an icon. Action Launcher goes a step beyond in its visual tweaks with features like adaptive icons and fun transitions when launching an app. Moreover, the updates have continued steadily, which is important now that users are looking for reliability as much as customization.
Comparison of Key Features
- Niagara Launcher: Vertical list, designed for speed and focus, minimalist interface that reduces digital noise.
- Lawnchair: Customizable Pixel Launcher design, Material You support, and open-source nightly updates.
- Action Launcher: Wallpaper-based Quicktheme colors, Shutters widget gestures, and adaptive icons.