Smart Launcher
Shares rank 7 of 9 Android launchers by recommenders
People recommend it as a close Nova Launcher replacement with strong search across contacts, web and apps. Common caveat: it is missing some Nova features and is less lightweight.
People recommend it as a close Nova Launcher replacement with strong search across contacts, web and apps. Common caveat: it is missing some Nova features and is less lightweight.
10 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 8
- criticize it
- 2
- approval share
- 80%
Recommended in 1 of 13 months
- November 2025: not recommended
- December 2025: not recommended
- January 2026: recommended
- February 2026: not recommended
- March 2026: not recommended
- April 2026: not recommended
- May 2026: not recommended
- June 2026: not recommended
- July 2026: not recommended
- August 2026: not recommended
- September 2026: not recommended
- October 2026: not recommended
- November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)
Why it doesn’t carry the badge
- 8 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, not met.
- 4 recommenders for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, met.
- Recommended in 1 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, not met.
The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works
What people say about it
The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Good alternative to Nova Launcher
“Smart launcher is a pretty good replacement. It isn't a one to one but they have been pretty responsive to users asking for certain missing features.”
Comment from 21 Jan 2026 in “Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher” “it seems to scratch the same itch. It was more expensive, though.”
Comment from 20 Jan 2026 in “Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher” “it does enough of what I need to be a good alternative.”
Comment from 20 Jan 2026 in “Nova Launcher Added Facebook and Google Ads Tracking” - Comment from 20 Jan 2026 in “Nova Launcher Added Facebook and Google Ads Tracking”
Covers daily needs without Nova
“I agree, it's fine. It's missing a couple of niceties that I enjoyed with Nova, but nothing I can't live without.”
Comment from 20 Jan 2026 in “Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher” “it does enough of what I need to be a good alternative.”
Comment from 20 Jan 2026 in “Nova Launcher Added Facebook and Google Ads Tracking” “which I'm very much enjoying”
Comment from 21 Jan 2026 in “Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher”
Other Android launchers people recommend
The four most recommended other Android launchers, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.
| Product | Recommend | Criticize | Approval | Months | Owned | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | 45 | 63 | 42% | 6 | 10 yrs13 owners | — |
| Kiss Launcher | 29 | 4 | 88% | 2 | 6 yrs8 owners | — |
| Lawnchair Launcher | 27 | 7 | 79% | 4 | — | Approved |
| Niagara Launcher | 23 | 2 | 92% | 2 | — | — |
| Smart LauncherThis page | 8 | 2 | 80% | 1 | — | — |
What people said
All 11 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“one of the few apps not FOSS on my degoogled phone”
“their search is amazing--with a single search it looks at contacts, web search, apps, etc.”
“Smart launcher is a pretty good replacement. It isn't a one to one but they have been pretty responsive to users asking for certain missing features.”
“which I'm very much enjoying”
“I agree, it's fine. It's missing a couple of niceties that I enjoyed with Nova, but nothing I can't live without.”
“it seems to scratch the same itch. It was more expensive, though.”
“it does enough of what I need to be a good alternative.”
“it is ok but Nova was lighter”
“The most expensive one at 25€, and no proper app drawer search either.”
“Not perfect, but closer than most.”
“it allowed me better customization of app groups”
Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.