Best Before Launcher Alternatives in 2026
The top Before Launcher alternatives are Microsoft Launcher, Mint Launcher and Nothing Launcher: 15 android launchers our editors would look at instead of Before Launcher, in our ranking order.
Before Launcher: A focused Android home screen for reducing clutter and filtering less important alerts. Where it falls short: designed for android only, with android 7 or later required..
Switching from Before Launcher? For most android launchers buyers the best Before Launcher alternative is Microsoft Launcher, built for android users wanting a familiar, free launcher.
Why People Look for a Before Launcher Alternative
- Designed for Android only, with Android 7 or later required
- Folders, pinning, hiding, and backup and restore require Pro
- Customization centers on launcher appearance and icon packs
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallMicrosoft Launcher9.1
Android users wanting a familiar, free launcher
Visit Microsoft Launcher - Best free optionMicrosoft Launcher9.1
Has a free plan
Visit Microsoft Launcher
All 15 Before Launcher Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
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Best forAndroid users wanting a familiar, free launcher
- Better than Before Launcher:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 6.7
A free Android launcher with layout tools, gestures, and calendar and to-do information.
- Backup and restore
- Gesture controls
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Microsoft -
Best forAndroid users who want a free, simple launcher
- Better than Before Launcher:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.7
A straightforward free launcher for home-screen tweaks and organized app access.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Xiaomi -
Best forNothing users who prefer its design and widgets
- Better than Before Launcher:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.7
A free, Nothing-focused launcher with distinctive widgets and customizable home screens.
- Grid customization
- App drawer
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Nothing -
Best forPeople who prefer a streamlined, list-based home screen
- Better than Before Launcher:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.7
A streamlined Android home screen built around searchable, wave-alphabet app access.
- Backup and restore
- Gesture controls
- App drawer
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Niagara -
Best forUsers who want automatic app categories and widgets
- Better than Before Launcher:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.7
Smart Launcher 6 pairs automatic app categories with customizable Android home screens.
- Backup and restore
- Gesture controls
- App drawer
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Smart Launcher -
Best forAndroid power users who want launcher customization
- Better than Before Launcher:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.7
A flexible Android launcher with broad layout controls and optional Prime features.
- Grid customization
- Backup and restore
- Gesture controls
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Nova Launcher -
Best forOpen-source users who want Material-themed customization
- Better than Before Launcher:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 6.7
A customizable Android home app with search, backup, and optional root-based Recents integration.
- Grid customization
- Backup and restore
- Gesture controls
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Lawnchair -
Best forUsers who want detailed visual and gesture controls
- Better than Before Launcher:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 6.7
A free Android home-screen replacement with detailed layout and visual controls.
- Grid customization
- Backup and restore
- Gesture controls
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forUsers wanting configurable drawers and dock controls
- Better than Before Launcher:
- Editor score 7.5 vs 6.7
A free Android launcher with configurable drawers, dock controls, gestures, and backup.
- Grid customization
- Backup and restore
- Gesture controls
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Pear Launcher -
Best forTablet and foldable users who want flexible layouts
- Better than Before Launcher:
- Editor score 7.4 vs 6.7
A flexible Android launcher with separate layouts for portrait and landscape screens.
- Grid customization
- Backup and restore
- Gesture controls
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit One4Home -
Best forOpen-source users wanting extensive layout controls
- Better than Before Launcher:
- Editor score 7.3 vs 6.7
A free, customizable Android launcher for users who want control over icons, gestures, and app organization.
- Grid customization
- Backup and restore
- Gesture controls
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Neo Launcher -
Best forUsers who want search across apps and contacts
- Better than Before Launcher:
- Editor score 7.2 vs 6.7
A customizable Android launcher with search across apps, contacts, and settings.
- Grid customization
- Gesture controls
- App drawer
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Lynx Launcher -
Best forUsers who want flexible drawer and grid settings
- Better than Before Launcher:
- Editor score 7.1 vs 6.7
A customization-focused launcher for Android users who want control over drawers and home-screen layout.
- Grid customization
- Gesture controls
- App drawer
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Google Play -
Best forOpen-source users focused on search and privacy controls
- Better than Before Launcher:
- Editor score 7.0 vs 6.7
A free, open-source launcher with useful search and private-app controls, but limited customization.
- Gesture controls
- App drawer
- App search
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Fokus Launcher -
Best forMinimalist Android users who want notes at home
- Better than Before Launcher:
- Editor score 6.9 vs 6.7
A minimalist, open-source launcher that pairs searchable app access with local notes and usage tools.
- Gesture controls
- App drawer
- App search
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Launch0
Before Launcher Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Before Launcher?
Microsoft Launcher: #1 in our Android Launchers ranking, with an editor score of 9.1 out of 10. A free Android launcher with layout tools, gestures, and calendar and to-do information.
Is there a free alternative to Before Launcher?
Yes. Microsoft Launcher, Mint Launcher, Nothing Launcher, Niagara Launcher and Smart Launcher 6 have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Before Launcher alternatives?
Designed for Android only, with Android 7 or later required; Folders, pinning, hiding, and backup and restore require Pro; Customization centers on launcher appearance and icon packs.
How do I switch from Before Launcher?
Export your data from Before Launcher (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Before Launcher.
How to Switch from Before Launcher
- Export your data from Before Launcher (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Before Launcher.
Before Launcher vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | App drawer | Icon customization | Gesture controls | Grid customization | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Before Launcher | Yes | — | Yes | Advanced | — | — | 6.7 |
| 1 | Microsoft Launcher | Yes | None | — | Advanced | Yes | — | 9.1 |
| 2 | Mint Launcher | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 8.7 |
| 3 | Nothing Launcher | Yes | None | Yes | Basic | — | Yes | 8.2 |
| 4 | Niagara Launcher | Yes | — | Yes | Advanced | Yes | — | 7.9 |
| 5 | Smart Launcher 6 | Yes | — | Yes | Advanced | Yes | — | 7.9 |
| 6 | Nova Launcher | Yes | — | Yes | Advanced | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 7 | Lawnchair | Yes | None | Yes | Advanced | Yes | Yes | 7.7 |
| 8 | Hyperion Launcher | Yes | — | Yes | Advanced | Yes | Yes | 7.6 |
| 9 | Pear Launcher | Yes | — | Yes | Advanced | Yes | Yes | 7.5 |
| 10 | One4Home | Yes | — | Yes | Advanced | Yes | Yes | 7.4 |
| 11 | Neo Launcher | Yes | None | Yes | Advanced | Yes | Yes | 7.3 |
| 12 | Lynx Launcher | Yes | — | Yes | Advanced | Yes | Yes | 7.2 |
| 13 | Newer Launcher | Yes | — | Yes | Advanced | Yes | Yes | 7.1 |
| 14 | Fokus Launcher | Yes | None | Yes | Basic | Yes | — | 7.0 |
| 15 | Launch0 | Yes | None | Yes | Advanced | Yes | — | 6.9 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update