From Nova to Niagara Launcher: I’ve no regrets

For a few years, Nova Launcher was my go-to Android launcher. Nevertheless, after a quick interval utilizing the usual Pixel Launcher, I discovered myself craving one thing new, contemporary, and easy. That’s after I determined to strive Niagara Launcher, and it turned out to be precisely what I wanted.

Having used each launchers extensively, I’ve a superb understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. Whereas I’m very proud of my present selection and don’t see myself switching away from Niagara anytime quickly, I acknowledge it’s not the right match for everybody. Relying in your private preferences, Nova may nonetheless be the higher possibility for you.

Niagara and Nova Launcher characterize two very completely different approaches to the Android house display screen expertise. Niagara is all about minimalism and ease, whereas Nova is designed to be as feature-rich and customizable as attainable. As somebody who typically prefers simplicity in life, Niagara aligns higher with my wants.

There’s so much to understand about Niagara’s design philosophy. Each characteristic feels thoughtfully applied. As an example, each time I join my headphones, the apps I sometimes use with them — like Spotify, YouTube Music, and YouTube — routinely seem on my house display screen for simple entry (see picture above). As quickly as I disconnect the headphones, these apps disappear, holding my house display screen clutter-free. It’s good.

The notification system is one other spotlight. I’ve configured it to group most notifications collectively, presenting them to me each few hours. This prevents the fixed interruption of the notification sound all through the day. Importantly, I can choose particular apps whose notifications ought to bypass this grouping, ensuring pressing alerts at all times come via instantly.

As a visible individual, software program design is essential to me. Niagara ditches the traditional grid format frequent to launchers like Nova. As a substitute, my house display screen shows a clear, vertical checklist of my eight favourite apps. Whereas minimalist, it nonetheless affords customization: I can change the icon packs and modify the scale of the icons. I even have the choice to cover the highest standing bar and the alphabet index that runs down the facet and is there to rapidly discover apps within the app drawer.

My setup features a Google search button conveniently positioned within the bottom-right nook. Simply above my favourite apps checklist, the clock, date, present climate, and battery share are neatly displayed. Primarily, Niagara presents every part I want on a single, uncluttered house display screen. There’s no horizontal scrolling required, besides when navigating the app drawer — and even then, I can rapidly seek for an app as an alternative of scrolling via the checklist.

Maybe probably the most important benefit I’ve skilled with Niagara Launcher is the way it has genuinely helped me scale back my general display screen time. I discover myself selecting up my cellphone much less typically in comparison with after I used Nova or the Pixel Launcher. The inherent simplicity, mixed with a monochrome theme I utilized, has inspired more healthy smartphone habits. Once I unlock my cellphone, I see precisely what I want and may concentrate on the few important apps, whereas every part else stays tucked away. This targeted strategy works wonders for me, though your mileage might range.

Whereas I genuinely get pleasure from utilizing Niagara Launcher, I readily admit it’s not for everybody. It appears to be a type of experiences you both love or hate; discovering a center floor may be tough.

Nova Launcher definitely holds a bonus over Niagara and different opponents. Should you want the acquainted feel and appear of a conventional Android house display screen, Nova is probably going your greatest guess. If intensive options and deep customization are your priorities, Nova excels. It’s a improbable launcher in lots of respects, and regardless of my desire for Niagara’s simplicity, I do sometimes miss a number of the highly effective options Nova affords.

Gestures are maybe probably the most important characteristic I miss from Nova. It permits you to set off actions — like opening apps, locking the display screen, or operating shortcuts — utilizing varied swipes, faucets, and pinch gestures immediately on the house display screen. Throughout my time with Nova, I had quite a few gestures configured: double-tapping the display screen to show it off, swiping down with two fingers to open a climate radar app, and swiping proper to rapidly add a brand new job in Todoist. The chances for streamlining workflows felt nearly countless.

Then there are the intensive customization choices. Nova permits meticulous management over the grid dimension for each the house display screen and the app drawer. Talking of the app drawer, Nova enables you to create customized tabs or folders (drawer teams) to categorize apps — for instance, I used this to separate my work-related apps from private ones. It’s also possible to closely customise the dock on the backside of the house display screen, altering icon sizes, adjusting the background form and transparency, and modifying colours. With Nova, the sheer variety of choices makes it straightforward to tailor your cellphone’s interface exactly to your liking.

Each Niagara and Nova Launcher supply free variations, however their full potential is unlocked via premium upgrades. I bought the premium variations of each, and albeit, I imagine most customers fascinated with both launcher would profit considerably from doing so, as the additional options are what really make them stand out.

Curiously, regardless of Nova Launcher being extra extensively recognized and full of extra options, it’s the cheaper possibility. Nova Launcher Prime is usually out there for a one-time buy (typically round $5). Niagara Professional, however, normally prices round $30 for a lifetime license, though a yearly subscription possibility ($10 per 12 months) can also be out there.

Whereas Niagara Professional is costlier, if its minimalist strategy resonates with you and also you foresee utilizing it long-term, the price can definitely be justified — it has been for me. Nova Launcher Prime, conversely, affords distinctive worth, particularly contemplating its comparatively low worth level for a lifetime license.

In the end, the selection between Niagara and Nova relies upon closely in your priorities. If pricing is a significant factor, Nova Launcher Prime affords unbelievable worth. If price isn’t the first concern, your resolution hinges on options versus simplicity.

Should you, like me, worth minimalism, a streamlined interface, and a concentrate on decreasing digital litter, Niagara Launcher is probably going the one to get. Nevertheless, if you’d like a strong, extremely customizable launcher that adheres to a extra conventional Android really feel and affords an enormous array of options and tweaks, Nova Launcher stays the superior selection.