Changing your Android phone launcher may dramatically improve performance and usability. Check out the best free launchers on the market right now!

Top 10 Best Free Launchers for Android
Top 10 Best Free Launchers for Android. Source: Phone Arena

Different launchers exist to suit different needs - some people like things practical and simple, others like deeper customization and settings to make everything perfect. These launchers were put to the test in different workflows to see what they had to offer. Read on, and see if one of them is the perfect launcher for you!

Oh, did we miss your favorite free launcher? Be sure to tell us in the comments!

Nano Launcher

Nano Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android
Nano Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android. Source: Play Store

Download here

Recommended if you: want something light and fast

NOT recommended if you: want something more robust

This launcher’s main advantage is how lightweight it is. It lacks some advanced features, but you can use your own custom icon pack for a special touch. The home screen is simple and easy to organize, and we did notice how little RAM it takes to run, making it a good alternative for smartphones with low memory. Plus, you can download a small add-on for notification badges on the icons.

Smart Launcher 3

Smart Launcher 3 - Best Free Launcher for Android.
Smart Launcher 3 - Best Free Launcher for Android. Source: Play Store

Download here

Recommended if you: like it basic

NOT recommended if you: want something more powerful

The ideal launcher if you like your favorite apps to always be on your home screen. Smart Launcher isn’t very flashy in visuals, but it allows custom icon packs and different themes to suit your needs and create something different. It’s perfect if you like to organize your most used apps on one page, and because of its minimal nature, it’s also very light and fast.

Buzz Launcher

Buzz Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android
Buzz Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android. Source: Play Store

Download here

Recommended if you: like to experiment with unique themes

NOT recommended if you: want something basic

Easily the most customizable one on the list, Buzz Launcher has thousands of free community made themes, but it lets the user personalize any one of them to their liking. It’s relatively easy to mess with if you enjoy experimenting, and it can lead to some very interesting results. These are the most different and unique home screens you will see. Of course, some features require tweaking to function properly, and you may end up breaking your theme when experimenting, but luckily, Buzz Launcher lets you revert to the original at anytime, so no damage is ever permanent.

Google Now Launcher

Google Now Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android.
Google Now Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android. Source: Play Store

Download here

Recommended if you: want robust launcher that has everything

NOT recommended if you: want something lighter

Sometimes the most obvious choice is also the best. Google’s main launcher is robust, highly customizable and compatible to pretty much anything you throw at it, working especially well with other Google Apps, such as Now, Docs, Sheets, Keep, Maps, and so on. It may be a little demanding if your phone is lacking in RAM, but otherwise, it’s one of the best free launchers you will find.

Z Launcher Beta

Z Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android.
Z Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android. Source: Play Store

Download here

Recommended if you: want something practical and unique

NOT recommended if you: prefer organizing your apps in folders

Don’t let the “beta” fool you, Z Launcher is an amazing free launcher that works incredibly well. Contrary to most launchers, this one lets you write a letter on the main screen to find the best results, and the more you use it, the more it adapts to your habits. It will automatically search for apps and contacts, organizing them by most frequently used, but it also has a separate screen for widgets and an app drawer. It’s simple, practical and light. Of course, because of the unique home screen, it won’t let you create folders or customize the UI - but that hardly seems necessary after the 30 seconds it takes to get used to it.

Evie Launcher

Evie Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android. Source: Play Store
Evie Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android. Source: Play Store

Download here

Recommended if you: want a reliable fast launcher

NOT recommended if you: want different themes

One of the best new launchers on the market. Evie performs incredibly well, with smooth animations for everything, allowing multiple screens for better organization and letting you import your folders from other launchers to save time. It doesn’t allow for different themes, but it allows custom icon packs.

Yahoo Aviate Launcher

Yahoo Aviate Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android. Source: Play Store
Yahoo Aviate Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android. Source: Play Store

Download here

Recommended if you: like things organized automatically

NOT recommended if you: want deeper customization

Aviate Launcher is light and does you the favor of organizing folders automatically, while also letting you switch things around and create other folders for specific needs. The UI is simple and not very customizable, which may disappoint some, but everything works really well. There is a special screen with useful contextual cards (like Google Now) that constantly updates throughout the day with weather, events and location related information, and the app is constantly being updated by the developers with fixes and new features.

Arrow Launcher

Arrow Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android. Source: Play Store
Arrow Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android. Source: Play Store

Download here

Recommended if you: want everything ready right away

NOT recommended if you: want deeper customization

Arrow Launcher may be simple in UI and lacking in customization, but it makes up for it by being one of the lightest, fastest, and most practical launchers out right now. Since it was designed by Microsoft, it lets you sync with Microsoft Office online services for easier access. Most of what you’ll ever need is on the home screen - it automatically organizes your most used apps in order, so you will rarely need another screen. It also has a convenient app drawer, but you’ll rarely use it. Another cool feature is that it lets you sync your Wunderlist account to a dedicated screen, but if you just want the main screen for your apps and nothing else, you can hide all the other ones.

ASAP Launcher

ASAP Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android. Source: Play Store
ASAP Launcher - Best Free Launchers for Android. Source: Play Store

Download here

Recommend if you: like customization and organization

NOT recommended if you: want to use widgets

The only downside of ASAP Launcher is that it currently doesn’t support widgets, but since I personally rarely use them, it wasn’t a big deal: ASAP is my favorite launcher right now. It allows for multiple screens with useful information like frequent contacts, lists, calendar events and at any moment you can scroll from the corners of the screen to quickly access the app drawer or a quick settings bar. Plus, it performs really well and lets the user pick different color themes for the material design UI.


Which of these launchers do you prefer? Did you like one that wasn’t on the list? Be sure to tell us in the comments and follows us on Facebook for more technology articles every week!