Android launcher

[cxs6957]

With my GS3 I'm now on my third Android and I feel like I've learned enough about personalization options with Sense and TouchWiz, and I'd like to try my hand with third party launchers. I have ever since the beginning but all basic free launchers and I feel like maybe I'll get something better from either a launcher that doesn't show up at the top results on the Play Store, or one that I have to pay for.

If anyone could recommend a really good launcher program and maybe point out some more obscure ones I may not have heard of I'd really appreciate it. And if anyone could take a moment to point out the best features I'd appreciate that anymore.

I know Phandroid covered a launcher a couple of months ago but I can't find the article, maybe it's just difficult because for the time being my phone is my computer.

 

[breadnatty08]

I personally use Nova (Prime) for all my ICS and JB devices. It's quite close to stock ICS but includes some nice tweaks like gestures. Apex is similar but I've never used it.
For something more theme heavy, give GoLauncher EX a shot. There are also a lot of other apps that are themed and can be bundled with Go like the dialer and SMS apps.

 

[chanchan05]

Go Launcher EX has basically almost all the features you could ever find. I don't think any launcher has more features. Apex Pro comes close if not equal to Go Launcher in terms of features, with an upside of being optimized for ICS and above devices.

 

[El Presidente]

Lightning launcher is pretty unique: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.pierrox.lightning_launcher. Very lightweight too

Also TSF launcher is very feature packed and has some nice, unique options. It's a tad pricey though: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tsf.shell

Anything here help: http://androidforums.com/showthread.php?p=3133690

 

[Adauth]

Apex and nova are good ones and designed for ICS and GB users. I prefer Apex pro myself, but to each his own.

 

[Jacksmyname]

After trying a bunch of them, I settled with Nova Prime. Plenty of options, some nice themes, stable and fast.

 

[sanibel]

Apex. I just can't correct Nova's home-screen skewed photos (Apex allows the entire photo to show; I contacted Nova's developers on this issue but no response yet). Otherwise it is a "wash."

 

[Boldt]

I tried all I could find so far and I have decided to pay for Apex. Its pretty darn impressive. I think Nova would be my second choice.

 

[Deleted User]

One reason I picked Nova over Apex is Nova's ability to import all my folders and shortcuts from the stock ICS home screen. It saved me lots of time.