Open Source @lemmy.ml pro_grammer @programming.dev 2mo ago

Alternatives to Nova Launcher?

I deleted nova launcher from my device after seeing this: https://lemmy.ca/post/19914345

Can anybody recommend alternatives?

53 comments

Kvaesitso. Opensource, minimal, search-based launcher. My only complaint is that it's not optimised for foldables, otherwise it's a great launcher.
- Really interesting take on layout. Seems pretty well developed though so my initial impressions are good.
  
  Plus bonus points for putting the APK in their releases
I use the open source KISS launcher for years now. Your data never leaves your device, and you can expect to save battery life and speed up your device compared to complex and bloated launchers. KISS is just 250 KB and never connects to the Internet.

The best thing is that - behind a simplistic configuration menu - you can configure it from an ultra minimalist black screen with one text box to call when you need to launch an app, search for a contact, search on internet... to a full app drawer organized however you want (alphabetical order, your own defined categories...). It's just insane and unfortunately so much overlooked.
- Quick question—does the kiss launch have the ability to hide apps? This is often a deal breaker for me with launchers
  
  Yes, It have
- Yeah, KISS is amazing, versatile and simple with a small footprint. It honestly should be the default throughout Android.
  
  You must come from a tech literate family.
  
  If it was the default Android launcher, Android would die.
Lawnchair 14 has a beta and nightly version out right now
- It doesn't seem to be nearly customizable enough.
- Where do you install it from? GitHub ?
  
  straight up google play has it, beats me why it isnt on fdroid though
- It doesn't have nearly as much features as Nova sadly
Already tested lawnchair, Neo Launcher, kvaesitso,... Since KISS installation, I didn't try another one.
- Can you make screens / folders? And use icon packs?
  
  technically cuz the browser uses a tag system you could give all the apps you'd want in a folder that tag and it'd act similarly.
  
  and yes it does support icon packs.
I was recommended Niagara launcher on here a few months back. After 2 days I paid for a year. Just excellent. Clean and snappy. Take a bit of getting used to but that was well worth the time.
- If it look at the data safety section for Niagara launcher on Google Play store, it is also collecting and sharing data with 3rd parties. The cross section is a bit smaller than Nova's but it was still enough for me to nope out of there.
- Second vote for Niagara. Admittedly I haven't tried other third party launchers. [Pixel 7 Pro owner who balked at the standard Pixel screen on sight in a way that I hadn't previously with any phone]
- I tried it, but it seems like you can't make screens / folders? What am I missing?
  
  Yeap, it's a completely different paradigm
- Yep I tried it after reading about Nova yesterday.
  
  Really like it but I'd say putting the weather widget behind a paywall is really fuckin cheeky!
  
  Can't say I noticed that. But yes it is ;-)
Neo Launcher, open source!

Edit: there haven't been releases for a while, but it appears that a new one is coming soon:

Till now we have no alpha release of 1.0.0, but this would come in the next weeks.

🤞🏼
Unfortunately my launcher is one piece of closed source software that I just can't break away from. I've tried plenty open source alternatives and always switched back.
- Yep same thing.
  
  Moved from Nova to Niagara after trying about 30 different launchers (closed and open) and I don't think I'll be changing for quite a long time.
I really like Lawnchair!
I switched to Lawnchair from Nova and haven't looked back...
Niagara is much cleaner and simpler. Takes some getting used to but I can use it quicker than I ever did nova!

My home page now:
- I like it too, even though it didn't notify me when the trial was up like it said it would. I was planning on buying the lifetime (or uninstalling) but it autobilled me for a year instead.
  
  Anyway, here's mine:
mLauncher, OLauncher.
- Olauncher is highly rated and collects/shares 0 data (at least according to the data safety section on its Google Play page, though I have no idea how reliable that is).
  
  I installed it yesterday. I'm not hating it but not sure if I like it. It's very minimal. Like you don't even see the notification bar from the home screen and are limited to putting 8 apps on there (after you adjust the setting from 4). Everything else is on an alphabetical list, which has forced me to remember the names of apps instead of just remembering the icon and position I gave it in Nova. But it might just be something I need to get used to, so I'll give it some more time.
Even though I paid for Nova years ago, I went back and downloaded a modded version of 7.0.58, the last version before they were bought out and the code was changed.

I really wanted to like Lawnchair but I always end up back with Nova. It does exactly what I want it to.
- Huh? Nova was bought out?
Mlauncher - Text only and distraction free! Available on fdroid
Lawnchair and Neo Launcher are close seconds but, unfortunately, there is no one for one alternative. Just use a firewall to block Nova's internet access.
- Yes, I turned off network access and it works identically. This is a good path. Lawn chair was ok.
I LOVE the Lunar Launcher!
- Okay, seriously though: the Lunar Launcher is the only one I have found consistently minimalist and yet practical. I can only recommend it.
There are a bunch of alternatives recommended in that post...
- Which post?
Action launcher is good
I've settled on Fast Draw. You get to use exactly one widget, but it's lightweight and lets me launch apps.
Well shit
I don't have an Android device anymore, but I've been a fan of Smart Launcher ever since Nova turned into a steaming pile

53 comments