Survey shows Nova Launcher still crushes every Android launcher that challenges it

Picking and sticking with an Android launcher is a hugely personal decision. I would know — I regularly switch between launchers for my job but often default to my preferred home screen, AIO Launcher. This suggests that change for the sake of change isn’t the norm when picking a home screen, and it’s perhaps a core reason why the majority of readers in a recent poll admitted to sticking with Nova Launcher.

My colleague Marvin Velasco recently tested seven of Android’s biggest launchers, ranking each and asking readers to vote for their primary option. While Marvin put Nova Launcher last on the list, the poll results couldn’t disagree more.

The poll garnered over 1,400 votes, and Nova Launcher stood head and shoulders above the alternatives. It accrued a massive 36.2% of the support, or more than double the number of votes cast for any other launcher.

Only two other products, Smart Launcher (16.3%), and Niagara Launcher (14.1%) received anywhere near what Nova could muster.

The results echo a February 2026 survey. In that poll, we asked readers if they use Nova Launcher as their main launcher, , and more than half of the roughly 3,800 respondents confirmed that they did.

According to readers who left comments alongside their votes, a core reason they stick with Nova was its functionality, customizability, and transferability.

Reader Joseph Valez wrotes:

[Nova Launcher] just works well for me and fits my needs after more than a decade. And the same settings easily transfer over to each new phone.

Alistair Parsons left a similar comment:

I’ve been using the same Nova setup for years… custom folders, theme, backup… everything I need. Pixel UI just doesn’t compare. Fortunately I bought prime for 10p [~$0.13].

Following the top three launchers, the remainder all fell below the 10% support mark. Interestingly, the open “Other” option ranked fourth with 9.3% of the vote. Here, readers highlighted launchers that were not mentioned in the poll individually, including Octopi Launcher, Mango Launcher, Before Launcher, and several others.

Lawnchair received 9.1% of the vote and seemingly resonated with those who wanted a Pixel UI-like experience without restrictions. Microsoft Launcher (6.9%) was the only other home screen that received notable support, and remains one of my favorite Android launchers, especially for Pixel phones.

Bringing up the rear are Hyperion Launcher (4.2%) and Action Launcher (3.9%).

Nova Launcher has endured many ups and downs in recent years, but given the results of this reader poll and others before it, it’s safe to say that it enjoys ardent support that other Android apps could only dream of.

Do you still use Nova Launcher? What do you make of other launchers vying for its throne on Android? Let’s discuss in the comments.