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Add to SafariWhen comparing Smart Launcher 5 vs SF Launcher, the Slant community recommends Smart Launcher 5 for most people. In the question“What are the best launchers for Android?” Smart Launcher 5 is ranked 2nd while SF Launcher is ranked 33rd. The most important reason people chose Smart Launcher 5 is:
One of Smart Launcher 2's ways of keeping things simple is to categorize your apps. The categorization is quite accurate and is very useful once you learn the categories.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Easy App Drawer categorization
One of Smart Launcher 2's ways of keeping things simple is to categorize your apps. The categorization is quite accurate and is very useful once you learn the categories.
Pro Minimalist, functional design that gives quick access to most important apps
Smart Launcher uses a simple circular layout of apps. It display 6 user-selected apps, date and time and hides everything else from view.
Pro Lightweight
Smart Launcher uses very little resources which is good for performance and saving battery power.
Pro Allows accessing everything quickly
Pro Hides apps easily
If you have tons of apps that clutter your app drawer even after they’ve been categorized, you can choose to hide certain apps from view.
Pro Good in both Portrait and Landscape modes
Smart Launcher is designed with both Portrait and Landscape modes in mind, which means no matter the orientation one wants to use it in it adapts well to either.
Pro Easy to set up
As soon as you open Smart Launcher 3 for the first time you will begin the setup process. The steps are easy and you will be up and running in no time.
Pro Extendable with unread counts plugin
There is an extra download called Plugin Notifications that allows for the function of notification counts on the users app icons in the drawer and shortcuts on the home screen. It is available for free for Smart Launcher 3 and 2.
Pro Easy theming with icon pack support
Smart Launcher supports using icon packs that are meant for ADW Launcher, Apex Launcher, Nova Launcher, and LauncherPro. You can also change icons on a per-app basis.
Pro Supports gestures
Pro Lock screen is redesigned to provide a cohesive experience
Smart Launcher 3 provides a lock screen which helps to maintain an overall cohesive design on your Android device. It is optional for those that still want to use their stock lock screen.
Pro Hundreds of downloadable themes
The themes change icons, wallpapers, and colors. Each has its own unique feel, but they all adhere to the same layout.
Pro Widgets can be used on secondary home screens
There is an optional function (on at stock start) that allows users to set their own widgets on extra home screen pages.
Pro Gesture support for quick launching
Gestures can be enabled to perform Smart Launcher actions or just to open apps. Smart Launcher actions include but not limited to: open app drawer, show/hide status bar, show notifications panel, and show toggle panel.
Pro One search for everything
One search for apps, contacts and web browsing. Also lets use of Google Now.
Pro Folders on main screen provides fast access to apps
Pro "Okay Google" support
Users can add "Okay Google" support for voice search by downloading the Plugin Extra plugin from the Play Store.
Pro Can be personalized with themes
Smart Launcher 2 offers a selection of themes that change the look of the homescreen.
Pro Live wallpaper support
Live wallpapers are a special type of wallpaper that is animated. Despite the simple and sleek design of Smart Launcher, you can still make it look and feel great, and live wallpapers are just one in a few ways for doing so.
Pro HD Wallpaper
Smart Launcher has HD wallpaper. Very impressive
Pro Wallpaper transition
The wallpaper changes according to the time of the day. There are many wallpaper themes to choose from and the applications can be launched by assigning them to elements present in the theme.
Pro Has bright and dark themes
Dark theme alse consumes less battery.
Pro Simple interface
Its simple interface allows the users to manage their applications with ease.
Cons
Con Drains battery faster than stock Android
This may be due to some of the extra features in the app as well as some of the workarounds need for support of things like "Ok Google".
Con Freemium
Extra widget pages, remove ads, edit categories, popup widget, etc are only for pro users
Con Notifications don't work for some users
Multiple people have reported that app notifications don't work at all with SL2 and they are forced to open each app individually to see if there are changes.
Con Single widget slot on homescreen
Only one widget can be used on the home screen due to the single widget slot. Compared to most other launchers this can be seen as quite limiting.
