Aside from the Microsoft-specific elements, this launcher combines simple organization with advanced organization options.
Price structure: The app is free.
Square Home
All Android users who miss Windows Phone can now get the corresponding tile design with Square Home on their smartphone. But even if you’ve never used a Windows Phone, you might find Square Home a refreshing way to streamline your workflows.
The tiles that the launcher places on your home screen are customizable and can house an app shortcut, widget, or other actions. You even have the option to fill the tiles as three-dimensional cubes. In addition, this Android launcher also allows you to configure text sizes, colors and backgrounds as well as your own keyboard shortcuts and swipe gestures.
Android users with a penchant for Windows Phone nostalgia – or geometry – can let off steam with Square Home.
Foto: JR Raphael / Foundry
Price structure: Square Home is free. Advanced features allow you to upgrade to the premium version for five dollars (lifetime license).
Lynx Launcher
Lynx Launcher is a relatively new contender among Android launchers that stands out from the competition with its approach.
Lynx Launcher is said to be “inspired” by the Linux-based Gnome desktop interface. At its core, the software offers a primary home screen panel with a simple built-in clock widget at the top and a number of favorite applications on the right. You can expand this main area with additional shortcuts and widgets.
The Lynx Launcher is inspired by Linux and offers a particularly effective app overview.
Foto: JR Raphael / Foundry
At first glance, the home screen seems a bit empty and orphaned, but at second glance it has additional elements:
-
A swipe to the right – or a tap on the dots symbol – takes you to an alphabetically ordered list of apps.
-
A swipe to the left opens the self-filling favorites screen. Your most frequently used apps and contacts are stored here so you can access them quickly.
-
A swipe down – or a tap on the search field at the top of the home screen – starts the Android Launcher’s search function: Entering one or two letters is enough to easily find apps, contacts or information on the web.
-
A swipe up on any area of your home screen brings up the “Desktop” section of Lynx. This is essentially an additional on-demand home screen panel where you can place any combination of shortcuts and widgets.
Lynx offers even more options for customization: For example, the ability to set up custom gestures.
Price structure: The basic version of Lynx is free. An optional Pro upgrade for four dollars unlocks expanded customization options.
Before Launcher
Are you spending too much time on your smartphone? The developers of Before Launcher promise that you can reduce your usage time by as much as 40 percent with the help of their software. The Android Launcher primarily focuses on straightforward and distraction-free productivity.
The primary home screen of the Before Launcher is correspondingly ascetic: it is basically just a text-based list of the applications that you use most often. A swipe to the left opens a complete list of all installed apps – a swipe in the other direction leads to a (filterable) notification center. Additionally, the Android Launcher offers some minimalist options to change the look of the home screen and set up custom gestures.
Price structure: Before Launcher is free – but also offers an optional, paid Pro upgrade (costing six dollars) that adds more features.
Nova Launcher
This Android launcher has been a favorite of Android power users for several years. This is also because this launcher makes it possible to configure or personalize almost every little thing imaginable – from the size of the fonts to the level of transparency of backgrounds to the speed of animations. You can also create a variety of custom gestures for quick access to apps or actions.
Nova Launcher also allows you to create a variety of custom gestures for quick access to apps or actions.
Foto: JR Raphael / Foundry
Apart from that, Nova Launcher is also known for its timely and regular updates. If you value having complete control over every element of your homescreen, this Android launcher is your best bet.
Price structure: Nova Launcher is free. An optional, paid upgrade ($5) unlocks expanded functionality. (fm)
