Best Stario Launcher Alternatives in 2026
The top Stario Launcher alternatives are Microsoft Launcher, Mint Launcher and Nothing Launcher: 15 android launchers our editors would look at instead of Stario Launcher, in our ranking order.
Stario Launcher: A privacy-focused launcher with customizable pages, categorized apps, and useful home-screen widgets. Where it falls short: distributed as signed APKs through GitHub rather than google play.
Switching from Stario Launcher? For most android launchers buyers the best Stario Launcher alternative is Microsoft Launcher, built for android users wanting a familiar, free launcher.
Why People Look for a Stario Launcher Alternative
- Distributed as signed APKs through GitHub rather than Google Play
- Compatibility is documented for Android 10 (SDK 29) and newer
- Focused on Android home screens, with no desktop platform
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 Stario Launcher Alternatives, Ranked
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Best forAndroid users wanting a familiar, free launcher
- Better than Stario Launcher:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 6.2
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 Stario Launcher:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.2
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 Stario Launcher:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.2
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 Stario Launcher:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.2
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 Stario Launcher:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.2
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 Stario Launcher:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.2
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 Stario Launcher:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 6.2
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 Stario Launcher:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 6.2
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 Stario Launcher:
- Editor score 7.5 vs 6.2
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 Stario Launcher:
- Editor score 7.4 vs 6.2
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 Stario Launcher:
- Editor score 7.3 vs 6.2
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 Stario Launcher:
- Editor score 7.2 vs 6.2
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 Stario Launcher:
- Editor score 7.1 vs 6.2
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 Stario Launcher:
- Editor score 7.0 vs 6.2
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 Stario Launcher:
- Editor score 6.9 vs 6.2
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
Stario Launcher Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Stario 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 Stario 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 Stario Launcher alternatives?
Distributed as signed APKs through GitHub rather than Google Play; Compatibility is documented for Android 10 (SDK 29) and newer; Focused on Android home screens, with no desktop platform.
How do I switch from Stario Launcher?
Export your data from Stario 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 Stario Launcher.
How to Switch from Stario Launcher
- Export your data from Stario 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 Stario Launcher.
Stario Launcher vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | App drawer | Icon customization | Gesture controls | Grid customization | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Stario Launcher | Yes | None | Yes | Advanced | — | — | 6.2 |
| 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