When comparing Mi Launcher (MIUI) vs KISS Launcher, the Slant community recommends KISS Launcher for most people. In the question“What are the best launchers for Android?” KISS Launcher is ranked 13th while Mi Launcher (MIUI) is ranked 40th. The most important reason people chose KISS Launcher is:
There's not exactly much to go wrong with KISS, because of the philosophy of the same name it uses.
Specs
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Pros
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.
Pro Simple
There's not exactly much to go wrong with KISS, because of the philosophy of the same name it uses.
Pro Open source
Pro Minimal mode
You can go completely minimal with no status bar, favourites bar, History. Favourites and history will appear only when you touch the screen. Otherwise it will be completely blank. You can enjoy the wallpaper fully and when you need to see the apps, just touch the screen. It's a feature no other launcher has. It's simple and powerful.
Pro History mode
All the apps, calls and shortcuts you used will be shown as a long list on the home screen. It will adjust to usage patterns so most used items will be always within the reach.
Pro Incredible search functionality
You can search everything from apps, contacts, shortcuts, web. You can even add custom search providers as you wish. Search results are shown near the keyboard which is great for one hand usage.
Pro Complete
Supports icon packs, customize search engine, etc.
Cons
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.
Con Rigid
As a result of the KISS philosophy, there is very little to customize. Not even widgets are allowed.
Con Apps are presented as long list
Rather than being presented as a grid, all the apps are shown in a long list format.