Video summary

Top 10 Best Launchers (2026) | R.I.P Nova!

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product(s) covered

The video isn’t reviewing one single launcher; it’s a “Top 10 Best Launchers (2026)” list aimed at replacing Nova Launcher, whose development is said to have effectively ended after 2025.

Key context: Nova Launcher is considered “dead”

  • Nova can still be downloaded and used, but no further development and no more bug fixes.
  • The host suggests users are moving away from it as a result.

Launcher-by-launcher: unique points, pros/cons, and comparisons

1) Nothing OS (manufacturer launcher on Nothing phones)

What it offers

  • Adds “funky styling” plus AI smarts (Nothing AI).
  • Nothing Phone 3a / 3a Pro: remembers things and recalls with a command; can create tasks (positioned as helpful for memory).

Pros

  • Not just cosmetic—includes AI assistance.
  • Host calls it smooth/feature-elevating.

Cons

  • Not framed as a replacement for deep customization; more of an “enhanced default” experience.

2) Color OS / Oxygen OS (Oppo / OnePlus manufacturer launchers)

What it offers

  • Described as “pleasingly smooth” and “ridiculously fast.”
  • Includes “bonus bits” meant to elevate Android rather than slow it down.

Pros

  • Performance-focused feel.
  • Better-than-stock extras.

Cons

  • Not detailed enough to count as deep customization in this video.

3) Lawnchair Launcher (Nova alternative, similar vibe)

What it offers

  • Positioned as the closest “Nova-like” feel.
  • Launcher version 15 is available (early access vibe).

Pros

  • Simple yet in-depth customization: tweak desktops, app drawer, etc. “beyond regular Android limits.”

Cons

  • At a glance bar: shame it doesn’t offer more options.
  • Still “rather buggy.”
  • Host suggests the earlier Legacy version is outdated/unmaintained.

4) Smart Launcher 6 (Nova-like customization + design)

What it offers

  • “Proper deep customization” and slick design.
  • Icon Pack Studio: download or create custom app logos.
  • News feed: headlines without ads (as claimed by host).
  • Smart widgets: appear via swipe/double tap on icons; customizable.
  • Stackable widgets to save space.
  • Gestures (double tap/double swipe on desktop) are customizable.
  • Smart app drawer: tidy folder organization (useful if you have many apps).

Monetization / cost

  • Pro access requires a subscription: “just over 8 quid a month” (at time of filming).
  • Lifetime license: “just under 25 quid.”

Pros

  • Very feature-rich.
  • Strong organization/app discovery.

Cons

  • Pro paywall/subscription to unlock “the best features.”

5) Octopi Launcher (Nova alternative, one-handed friendly)

What it offers

  • Designed for one-handed use.
  • Some features resemble Nova, but not fully.

Pros

  • Free access to “vast majority” of features.
  • One-handed interactions are a standout.

Cons

  • Not “quite there yet” for full Nova-like parity.
  • Example limitation: swiping icons for actions works only for a “tiny handful” of apps that support Nova-style smart context.

6) Stereo Launcher (lightweight + smooth + distraction control)

What it offers

  • Light and “nippy,” described as satisfying/smooth/style.
  • Default home page widgets: clock, alarms access, battery widget.
  • Weather widget links to weather.com (host dislikes it).
  • Google Calendar access.
  • Media widget when playing Spotify (basic; host wanted more control).
  • Swipe-down widget picker: can’t edit the two main widgets, but can add new ones (e.g., dedicated Spotify/YouTube widgets).
  • Bottom pinned favorite apps.
  • Universal search (apps, contacts, and web).
  • Swipe up shows apps in folders; default organization is “a bit shony” (host recommends reorganizing).
  • Swipe away from main desktop opens notes and RSS feed access.
  • Option to make icons monochrome for a distraction-free look.

Pros

  • Fast and minimal-feeling.
  • Strong search + quick access to media/calendar.

Cons

  • Limited control over some widgets (notably the main ones).
  • Weather source is a negative in the host’s opinion.

7) Niagara Launcher (minimalist, highly recommended)

What it offers

  • Minimalist layout: up to eight favorite apps on the home screen.
  • Other apps are hidden behind a cascading A–Z index (with haptic feedback described as a satisfying rumble).
  • Media controls appear on the desktop when audio/podcast/music is playing (pause/play/next).
  • Swipe actions:
    • Swipe right on favorites: quick access to popular features.
    • Swipe right shows a Gmail message and supports archive/reply (as demonstrated).
  • Anti-distraction/time management:
    • Set a time limit; Niagara gives a warning or kills apps when time is up.
  • Notification access:
    • Swipe down shows all notifications at once.
  • Search:
    • Swipe up opens a search bar for apps.

Customization / themes

  • Improved over time: wallpapers + themes (including “geeky anime efforts”).
  • Theme color adjustments.

Pro features

  • If you go “pro” (one-off fee): unlock more features including a weather and calendar widget at the top.

Comparison / monetization critique

  • Host previously liked “Minimalist Launcher” but says it now demands a hefty fee (claims £60 to unlock for life) and calls it not worth it versus Niagara.

Pros

  • Minimal distractions.
  • Strong utility (media, notifications, search).
  • Haptic cascading index is highlighted as a “signature” experience.

Cons

  • Some features appear tied to Pro (weather/calendar added with Pro).

8) O Launcher (very simple, gesture-driven)

What it offers

  • Essential apps front and hides the rest.
  • Swipe right opens “phone book”; swipe left activates camera.
  • Gestures can be changed to preferred app versions in settings.
  • No ads, no hidden costs.
  • Choose wallpaper (anime shenanigans are optional/recommended).

Pros

  • Very straightforward.
  • Ad-free and no extra cost described.

Cons

  • Very simplified approach; limited depth implied.

9) AP15 Launcher (plain text, scalable app prominence)

What it offers

  • Shows apps as plain text on the desktop (no icons).
  • You can change font and each app’s color/attributes.
  • Auto scaling: frequently tapped apps grow bigger and are positioned more prominently.
  • You can banish unused apps off the desktop to reduce clutter.
  • Add your own background image.
  • Customizable “rules” for how the launcher behaves.

Pros

  • Highly streamlined look.
  • Uses usage frequency to reduce hunting.

Cons

  • Less visually “icon” driven; suited for users who prefer text-based UI.

10) Kiss Launcher (ultra-minimal, search-first)

What it offers

  • No widgets, no pages.
  • Search bar + customizable row of essentials.
  • Column of recently/frequently accessed apps.
  • As you type, it suggests contacts/apps.
  • Host example: most recently accessed apps appear (WhatsApp shown).
  • Customization is present but “basic compared with Nova.”
  • Very lightweight: “well under a megabyte.”
  • Still “semi-regularly updated” despite being “about a decade old.”
  • Free to try.

Pros

  • Minimal distraction.
  • Fast/lean.

Cons

  • Not as customizable as Nova (per host).

11) Yasan Launcher (early access, learning-based “AI” home)

What it offers

  • Early access; free to download/test.
  • Home shows a box of nine chosen favorite apps.
  • Key feature: learns daily habits and surfaces apps you’re likely to use at that time of day.
    • Example: if you browse adult content at night, those apps appear then (host’s scenario).
  • Other apps accessible via swipe.
  • Includes battery settings access.
  • Shows a daily mantra at the top.
  • Search for apps/contacts via magnifying glass.
  • Swipe up opens additional features/settings:
    • Hide apps from home screen, app drawer, search bar.
    • Customize app drawer (list vs grid).
    • Customize “dashboard.”
    • Option to disable greetings.

Pros

  • Personalization/learning-based launcher behavior.
  • Lots of settings for a minimalist style.
  • Devs actively tweaking AI and fixing bugs (host claim).

Cons

  • Early access implies unfinished/being refined.

12) Total Launcher (extreme customization builder)

(The video calls it a “perfect 0 out of 3” if you have time/patience/creative ability—i.e., not for everyone.)

What it offers

  • Lets you craft your own launcher from scratch:
    • design desktops,
    • create custom widgets,
    • customize app drawer behavior, etc.
  • Host emphasizes devs mean “extreme customization,” with deep personalization possible.
  • If you lack creative talent, you can download other community creations.

Pros

  • Maximum flexibility/extreme customization.
  • Strong community ecosystem.

Cons

  • Not easy or quick to set up; requires time/patience/creativity.

Overall pros/cons patterns (as conveyed)

  • Best for Nova-like customization: Lawnchair (with caveats about bugs), Smart Launcher 6 (but Pro subscription/lifetime cost), Octopi (one-handed, limited parity).
  • Best for minimal/distraction control: Niagara, Stereo (light + monochrome option), Kiss, O (ultra-simple).
  • Most personalization/AI-ish: Nothing AI (manufacturer), Yasan (learning habits).
  • Most “build your own” power: Total Launcher.

Overall verdict / recommendation

If you’re leaving Nova and want a close alternative, the video most strongly positions:

  • Smart Launcher 6 (deep customization, but Pro costs), or
  • Lawnchair (Nova-like vibe with “buggy” caveats),

and for minimalist/distraction-free use:

  • Niagara is the clear “top” recommendation (“right up there at the very top”).

Unique point recap (all key mentions)

  • Nova Launcher development ended (after R/Early 2025 timeframe), no bug fixes; still downloadable but users moving away.
  • Nothing OS: AI recall + task creation; funky styling.
  • ColorOS/OxygenOS: fast/smooth; elevating extras.
  • Lawnchair: Nova-like, customization; Launcher v15 early access; Legacy outdated; at a glance limited; buggy.
  • Smart Launcher 6: deep customization, Icon Pack Studio, ad-free news feed, smart widgets, stackable widgets, customizable gestures, smart folder app drawer; Pro subscription ~£8/month or lifetime ~£25.
  • Octopi: one-handed friendly; not full Nova parity; swipe actions limited to few apps; most features free.
  • Stereo: light/fast; clock/alarm, battery, weather.com, calendar; basic Spotify media widget; swipe-down widget add; universal search (apps/contacts/web); apps in folders; monochrome icons; notes + RSS access; default organization needs rearranging.
  • Niagara: up to 8 favorites; cascading A–Z index with haptics; media controls on desktop; Gmail quick actions; swipe-right favorites features; time limits with app “kill”; notifications swipe down; search swipe up; improved themes/wallpapers; Pro unlocks extra top weather/calendar; dislikes Minimalist Launcher due to claimed £60 lifetime cost.
  • O Launcher: essential apps only; swipe right phone book, swipe left camera; can customize these actions; no ads/hidden costs.
  • AP15: text-only apps; scalable sizing based on tap frequency; custom font/colors/attributes; banish unused apps; custom background; custom rules.
  • Kiss: no widgets/pages; search + essentials row + recents/frequent column; typeahead for apps/contacts; lightweight (<1MB); basic customization; free; still updated.
  • Yasan: early access and free; shows nine apps; learns daily habits and surfaces likely apps; swipe to other apps; battery/settings; daily mantra; app search; swipe up settings including hiding apps, drawer list/grid, dashboard customization, remove greetings; devs actively improving AI/bug fixes.
  • Total Launcher: extreme customization from scratch; craft desktops/widgets/drawers; community-built creations available; requires time/patience/creative ability.

Speakers/views

  • Single speaker (the host) drives all opinions and comparisons; no other named speakers contribute distinct viewpoints.

Original video