When comparing Zero Launcher vs Mi Launcher (MIUI), the Slant community recommends Mi Launcher (MIUI) for most people. In the question“What are the best launchers for Android?” Mi Launcher (MIUI) is ranked 40th while Zero Launcher is ranked 50th. The most important reason people chose Mi Launcher (MIUI) is:
Almost all Google services are removed from this Android-based UI in favor of creating a competing ecosystem of apps, games, themes and services. China government prohibit the Google services
Specs
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Pros
Pro The App Drawer is cool
Everything is listed alphabetically in neat rows with HD icons. Very cool!
Pro Easily themed
There are numerous wallpapers, icon themes and full launcher themes available for Zero Launcher, allowing the user to customize the looks to their desire.
Pro Widget and notification for power toggles
There is a widget and notification shortcut for a power toggle feature where users can turn on and off features of their device. While most devices now have features like this built in, it is still nice to have a customizable option for those that may have older devices or just want a different selection of toggles.
Pro Independent of Google services
Almost all Google services are removed from this Android-based UI in favor of creating a competing ecosystem of apps, games, themes and services.
China government prohibit the Google services
Pro Combines best of iOS and Android launchers
MIUI has visual similarities to iOS and TouchWiz and combines functionality from both iOS and Android OS and its variants. For example, MIUI has no apps drawer and instead puts all app on homescreen pages the same way iOS does.
Pro Runs faster than stock Android
MIUI includes performance tweaks that give it a edge in speed compared to stock Android.
Pro Detailed installation instructions for supported devices
Step by step instructions (with screenshots) for flashing MIUI ROM can be found for each of the supported devices on the companies website. For example, here is the flashing guide for Nexus 5.
Pro Fast development cycle
New features and updates are released regularly.
Cons
Con If you like cartoonish, cats or flower types of setups this probably isn't for you
Con Advertisements in notification drawer
There are in app advertisements where there will be a notification in the users drawer to utilize on of the other apps created by this developer. these can of course get annoying, though they can be turned off in Androids setting, which may limit other functionalities such as the notification shortcut toggles.
Con No app drawer
There is no app drawer in Zero Launcher, which means all icons will be on the home screens. More or less like on iOS or MIUI.
Con Some bundled services are available only in Chinese
Xiaomi, the developers of MIUI are Chinese and their primary maket is China. As such primary language for most apps and services is Chinese and not all of them have yet been translated to English or any other language.
Con A Mi account is required for using bundled services
Various services and apps require a Mi account. For example, buying new themes requires spending Mi currency that can only be obtained if a Mi account is available.