The best Android launchers, according to hackers
9 Android launchers were recommended on Hacker News between November 2025 and November 2026. We rank them by how many separate people recommend each one, and 1 earns the Hacker Approved badge.
Top pick
The most recommended Android launcher with the badge. Each figure is 2 people. RecommendsCriticizes One comment
Free, open source, no spyware
Free, open source Android launcher that people switch to from Nova and find enough. Main caveat: fewer options, glitches, and missing features like app drawer tabs.
All 9 Android launchers, ranked
Select a column heading to sort. Approval share is recommenders out of everyone who gave an opinion; the tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs. Months counts the months, out of 13, in which someone recommended it.
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nova Launcher | 45 | 63 | 42% | 6 | 10 yrs13 owners | — |
| 2 | Kiss Launcher | 29 | 4 | 88% | 2 | 6 yrs8 owners | — |
| 3 | Lawnchair Launcher | 27 | 7 | 79% | 4 | — | Approved |
| 4 | Niagara Launcher | 23 | 2 | 92% | 2 | — | — |
| 5 | Octopi Launcher | 15 | 5 | 75% | 2 | — | — |
| 6 | Kvaesitso | 11 | 1 | 92% | 1 | — | — |
| Tied 7 | Olauncher | 8 | 0 | 100% | 6 | — | — |
| Tied 7 | Smart Launcher | 8 | 2 | 80% | 1 | — | — |
| 9 | uLauncher | 7 | 0 | 100% | 3 | — | — |
How we rank
Rank is the number of separate people who recommend a product in a Hacker News comment over the past year. Someone who praises the same Android launcher in five threads counts once.
The badge goes to Android launchers that at least 10 people recommend, with recommenders outnumbering critics at least 2 to 1, recommended in at least 4 of the 13 months.
Rankings are never for sale. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes the order.