Android: If you're a little tired of your phone's default launcher, FlowHome is an alternative that puts favourite apps a tap away. It also transforms your home screen into scrolling tiles of useful information, updates from inside your favourite apps, and its notifications come with as much information as they need to be useful.
iOS: Alfred is best known as a supercharged application launcher. However, if keyboard shortcuts aren't always your thing, the new iOS app controls all your Alfred action from a remote app.
Chrome: Google's app launcher menu has become ubiquitous across Google products, and it's actually pretty handy. If you've ever wanted it outside of a Google site, this Chrome extension gives you what you want.
Android/Chrome: Spots for Chrome is a customisable new tab page, SMS synchroniser and Android Launcher all in one. The integration of SMS, search features and the bookmarks is what really makes Spots stand out.
Android: Nova, our favourite Android Launcher, just got some cool updates. It brings sexy new transitions and an app drawer search feature for the power user who simply has too many pages of apps to navigate.
Android: One of the coolest things about Android is that you can choose which default app you use to open certain types of links. However, this can also get convoluted if you want to have choice in the future or don't like the extra step. Better Open With improves this experience.
Android: There are plenty of Android launchers around. Despite the intense competition, Solo Launcher manages to stand out by having a lot of the same features as Nova or Apex, while still being free, and adding some sweet gesture controls.
Ever wanted to take control of your Mac without taking your hands off your keyboard? Alfred's an app launcher and utility that makes that possible. With just a little bit of setup and know-how, you'll be able to use Alfred to search for anything, anywhere, move around files, control software and more without ever lifting your hands off your keyboard.
Android: We had barely finished handing out invites for Aviate when Yahoo bought the company behind the intelligent home screen that adapts to your habits. Now it's back, sans the invite requirement, for Android phones.
Over the years, Macs have had lots of options when it comes to app launchers. Alfred is our pick because it manages to balance features with usability. Anyone can pick it up and start using it, and there's plenty of room for expansion if you want to dig deeper into automation.
Android: Z Launcher from Nokia brings a couple of great features to Android users. You can access apps using gestures, and you can see tailored shortcuts that change depending on the time of day.
Android: Floating apps give robust multitasking on Android, but the little floating icons to activate them can clutter up your screen. This little trick can give you the full power of these apps without making your screen look messy.
iOS: One of the best launchers for iOS, Launch Center Pro, gets a big update today. It now includes IFTTT integration, a new GIF sharing menu and more.
Android (rooted): The Google Now Launcher, available on the Nexus 5 and other devices, allows you to say "OK Google" while the screen is on to invoke Google's voice commands. If you're rooted, you can bring this feature to other launchers with an Xposed tweak.
iOS: Unlike Android, the iPhone doesn't have app launchers that make it easy to find and load apps. Subsequently, you need to make use of workarounds to make shortcuts for your favourite apps from places other than the home screen. Push Launcher is an app that does that by adding your apps to your Notification Center.
Windows: It might not be the fastest way to launch apps, but OS X's Launchpad is intuitive and easy for everyone to understand. If you're hoping to get the same feature on your Windows machine, WinLaunch is the solution.
One of the best things about Android is being able to customise everything about your home screen, which you can do with a third-party application launcher. Android has plenty of great ones, but our favourite is Nova Launcher, which strikes a great perfect balance between incredible performance and high customisability.
Android: Apex Launcher, one of our favourite Android launchers, unveiled a major update today. It now features a new UI, faster animations and transitions, better overall performance, and support for DashClock Widget, the lockscreen utility we also love.
Android (4.0+): If you like tweaking and customising your Android phone's look and feel, Buzz Launcher is the launcher you've been waiting for. It's in beta, but it already packs lots of layout options, widgets, downloadable themes and gesture controls.
Android (4.0+): We've looked at some awesome app switchers in the past, but Action Launcher Pro takes the idea of launching apps, checking widgets and managing folders with gestures to a whole new level. Where Action Launcher Pro really shines is in its gestures.
