Android and iOS they are operating systems born with hostile spirits. While the latter is relatively closed on almost all fronts, which is a traditional Apple thing, the latter is much more open, to the extent that it allows the installation or configuration of many modifications that open the door to radically change the user experience.

One of the modifiable aspects of Android is launcher, which can be understood as the desktop layout in the system. The system offers the possibility to change this part quite easily, which has encouraged developers of various kinds, including large multinational companies, to publish their own proposals in this regard on the Play Store.

In addition to making the desktop screen prettier or uglier, launchers or launchers adjust things like the layout of elements, icons, page transitions, widgetsetc. In this sense, Android is somewhat reminiscent of GNU/Linux distributions, which allow the application of deep modifications capable of completely transforming the system.

Some think that the theme of launchers has gone too far in Android due to the customization layers of smartphone manufacturers who are responsible for implementing their own in order to offer their own user experience and differentiate themselves from their competitors, even if what is underneath is the same.

As a result of the great freedoms that Google has given to manufacturers, you have a high chance of finding an Android implementation that you don’t like, despite the fact that the device offers good responsiveness and has good characteristics at the hardware level. In these cases, it doesn’t hurt to look at the Play Store and try an alternative launcher that offers an experience more suited to the user’s taste if you don’t have the intention or the ability to try any alternative ROM, then we take this opportunity to mention five launchers for Android that offer an interesting experience and/or features.

microsoft launcher

We start with an exponent developed by a multinational company: Microsoft Launcher. It is already clear from the name where this launcher comes from, and it is that the Redmond giant, after failing in its attempts to break into the mobility sector with its own devices and operating system, preferred to adapt to what was consolidated in the market. and is trying to contribute its brushstrokes within the Android spectrum, where it has more freedom to develop its own web browser (though now based on Chromium) in addition to launcher development, and has published versions of all or nearly all of its star apps.

Microsoft Launcher is one of the most popular options in its segment. Offers customization options for the dock and app drawer, notification badges, alarms, notification customization and includes location integration, custom icons, wallpapers and features along with a dark theme. The user will be able to see the folder in which a large part of the company’s application ecosystem is designed to be installed.

Nova Launcher

Nova Launcher is quite a launcher customizable and lightweight. Here again, we find customization features at the level of the home screen, folders or application drawers, folders, search, icons and more.

Nova Launcher excels in its capabilities modify the aesthetic appearance of the Android desktop, which here can highlight the use of the system theme or create a light or dark theme by choosing a small range of colors that is also programmable through the dark mode. It uses DuckDuckGo as its default search engine, which it claims respects user privacy. Other aspects to consider are animation editing when opening applications and setting how files and folders are displayed on the system home screen.

While the free version of Nova Launcher has everything you’d expect from a third-party Android launcher, there’s a Prime version that costs 3.99 and provides some extra features like hiding apps, customizing tabs and folders. possibility to put folders first in drawers.

POCO launcher

And another launcher from a multinational company, in this case from a brand with many users in Spain: Xiaomi. As most of our readers already know, POCO is one of the brands of the Chinese giant that has its own launcher available on the Play Store.

Launcher POCO draws on the design lines of Xiaomi and its main features include automatic app categorization to help you find them using touch navigation. The user also has the option to edit the apps included in each category to arrange them as they see fit. Other aspects that make it stand out are its performance and beautiful design, according to the company responsible.

Here we find classic support widgets which allows you to add things like clocks and weather information. If you own a POCO smartphone, the launcher is already pre-installed, while users of other device brands must have at least Android 10 to install it from the Google Store.

AIO Launcher

Tired of launchers that change the layout of things without bringing anything revolutionary to the background? If this is your situation, AIO Launcher is for you, as is this launcher it excels in offering a wealth of information and features in a simple and direct way without the user having to navigate through options and applications.

User can check time, weather information, amount of data storage used and available, battery status, latest news, see bitcoin value and use voice recorder. By granting permissions, it allows access to the keypad for dialing phone numbers and to the calendar, Besides. If you swipe to the right, the user will be able to see a list of all applications that can be sorted alphabetically or according to certain time criteria, in addition to having access to the widgets.

A case of not wanting some of the widgets By default, just swipe right from the home screen, a gesture that brings up settings and removal options on the right. It is also possible to drag and drop widgets order them as desired.

At a time when software tends to be overloaded to the point where it’s difficult to use on many occasions, you’ll appreciate something simple and straightforward like AIO Launcher. On the trigger itself is a widget which will start the payment process for the Premium version, which can be obtained with a one-time payment of 5.99 euros or a monthly subscription of 1.09 euros.

Olauncher. Minimal AF Launcher

And we close the list with a launcher that is free software because its source code is released under the GPLv3 license. Olauncher. Minimal AF Launcher, as its name suggests, is a launcher that stands out for its minimalismso much so that it doesn’t use icons, at least by default.

Olauncher will display the time, insert an empty app list, and tell you how to show all apps (by swiping up) and settings (by holding any area that isn’t occupied by something else). widget or item). If the user keeps their finger on any of the items in the list, it will open the app list to make the item a shortcut.

By default, swiping right from the home screen will access the phone app to make calls, while swiping left will activate the camera app.

Light, simple and free software. If you only use your smartphone for the most basic things, which is probably the case with the vast majority of users, Olauncher is an ideal choice.

conclusion

As we can see, there are Android launchers to suit every taste, from what is considered “classic” in the field of mobility, to very minimalistic designs or aimed at quick and direct use of the device without having to go through lists and options. .

What is exposed here are just a few options, as there are of course many more. Finding the best one is a matter of trial and error and finding the one that best suits the user’s taste and usage flow.