I just recently got my GS3. On my old phone, Launcher Pro was the best for me. In fact, it was one of my few paid apps. Launcher Pro does not work very well anymore. I just don't think it has been updated to newer hardware / ICS / JB. In any event, I've come across two that I like fairly well. Apex and Nova. Both are fairly similar. In fact, I'm having a hard time finding many differences between the two.
What ARE the differences between the two?
Which is worth buying (for the premium version)?
I've been running Nova launcher over APEX purely because of the ability to backup and restore widgets to your homescreens. This saves some time when you flash ROM's. Also if you are coming from another launcher, Nova allows you to import (to some extent) most of the homescreen layouts from your previous launcher. This helped when I first made the transition from APEX to Nova. I can't really comment on the difference between the paid vs free because I've only used the paid version of Nova. In regards to fluidity, I'd say they are almost exactly the same.
^ agreed. both are essentially the same. i'm with Nova for the backup and restoring feature as well. ^_^
Been using both, for me, I like Apex, you can mix different themes.
Sent from my Samsung-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
I switch to Nova after using Apex for a really long time. Nova has more gestures and email notification counts. Both are really good.
vw671 said:
I switch to Nova after using Apex for a really long time. Nova has more gestures and email notification counts. Both are really good.
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Click to collapse
Exactly the same here. Used Apex for probably a year and just made the switch to Nova a few weeks back. Glad I did. As mentioned above, more gestures and back-up/restore features.
I used to use Apex launcher but switched to Nova launcher because the color theme option.
I do prefer Apex launchers for their better screen lock and their UCCW widgets can fill the screen better.
Don't forget that there is a labs option for nova launcher which lets you have additional features. Hold down volume for like 2 seconds to get them.
If you flash a lot of ROM's and use lots of widgets, then Nova is the better option IMO.
The reason is because Nova restores Widgets (using backup/restore settings) soooo much easier.
Restoring backed up desktop widgets with Apex was a PITA compared to Nova.
Also, Nova has better drawer options, IMO.
I do wish both would offer more theme/transition effects though.
I purchased the pro/donate version for both and ran both for alternating periods of time.
My vote goes to Nova, however I have used Apex in the past and it is also very good. Nova for backup though.
Used Apex on my S2, but using Nova on my S3. Not sure why, but Nova seems to be smoother to me on the S3.
Nova all the way!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Nova
Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Nova here as well
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda app-developers app
Nova all the way!!
Sent from my LG-P700 using xda app-developers app
Abhinandh Ajay said:
Nova all the way!!
Sent from my LG-P700 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nova Prime.....apex who?
They seem to be the same. My only problem with both Apex and Nova is the swiping screens isn't fast enough.
tanda4 said:
They seem to be the same. My only problem with both Apex and Nova is the swiping screens isn't fast enough.
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Click to collapse
Have you tried adjusting the animation and transition speeds in Nova Settings? It has an option for increased speed performance. It may take away from the graphical fluidity, but should increase speed between page swipes.
Nova make wallpaper non scrollable?
I have used Apex but lots of people seem to prefer Nova. Does Nova have an option to make wallpaper screens non scrollable?
joseph473 said:
I have used Apex but lots of people seem to prefer Nova. Does Nova have an option to make wallpaper screens non scrollable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure ... there's even an option to have it scroll in the opposite direction of the swipe if you will!
I always used Trebuchet because im a CM10 loyalist, but after reading this thread I took a dive on Nova Prime without previewing the free version. It was a great decision, everything seems smoother and the backup/restore features are awesome. Which is one of my gripes with trebuchet, I always had to set everything up after flashing.
Go Nova! :good:
Related
I'm about to get my Galaxy Nexus, on intending to root, but will probably use a custom launcher, am happy to pay for pro version, how do you think they compare? Smoothness is secondary to features for me.
I use apex launcher. It is very customisable and I like the ability to use gestures. It is also very smooth. I highly recommand it!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
I'm using Nova Prime on my phone and am quite happy with it. Has plenty of customisation, and runs smooth for me. I personally paid for the full version of Nova as that added the ability to hide apps in the app drawer, which is a feature I am a huge fan of.
You can get free versions of both though, so if you're not sure you can download the free versions of each, and then see what additional features the paid version provides, and determine if you feel you need them.
Was using nova prime until I tried apex and I've stick to it ever since. Both are really good but apex gave me a little more customizations; being able to change what holding down screen does and tapping on screen twice.
Give both a try and see which one you like. I would recommend you to push the apex apk yourself from the beta version found on this forum here.
Nova Launcher just dropped a nice little update
I'm using Apex currently only because of customization. It lags like a mother though. I emailed the devs and every time they release a new beta they just tell me to try it instead of telling me they've fixed the issue...which they haven't.
Nova launcher is smooth.
bow chicka wow wow.
Loving Apex. Smooth as butter and LOVE the customization options.
I've been using nova prime for about two months. The gestures are convenient for voice search and text search. I also like the backup feature, which is essential for saving time if you flash alot of roms.
Sprint GN, Tapatalk2
Nova, feels smoother than apex. Apex was buggy with its animations too
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Apex is a little more polished a little smoother (in the latest beta 1.1 update) especially the drawer fly in animation
Apex is smooth. Don't know what people are complaining about. It's awesome if you like the stock look with varying degrees of customization.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Personally, I bought Nova Prime and am loving it so far
I really like Apex, it's like stock with some good and useful customizations..
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
I currently use Nova. I used Apex for a while but it occasionally caused extremely high battery drain. Nova seems a bit more responsive to me, but Apex was not slow.
I turn the animations off on my phone, so that may affect how things feel versus others who like the animations on.
I'm using Nova prime. I liked the stock launcher but missed some features like gestures. Nova with prime upgrade gave me those features and I'm happy now. Didn't test Apex though.
So basically both are good.
I love the double tap on anywhere on the screen to open options from Apex launcher. That’s my decision maker between Nova and Apex
I've been using Apex since I got my Gnex last week. I love it. Great customization options, really fast--never have any problems with it.
There's already a huge thread about this in the themes and apps forum.
Apex for me.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Now on version 1.1.1
New folder features, app drawer features, etc.
(Oooops. Wrong section, meant to post on themes and apps. Sorry folks)
Sent from my calculator watch.
Moved. I prefer Apex myself, but I'll give the new update a shot.
Lol, at your mention, i'll give apex a whirl.
Sent from my calculator watch.
It works great with the Tablet UI mod. Now we don't have to use hacked launchers
Apex is nice but I have been using Nova since beta 1. The vertical scrolling in app drawer and transparency slider are nice additions if you're into that
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Xparent Blue Tapatalk 2
I was more into Apex for a little while...but since Nova added (or when I noticed) shortcut activities that blow Apex out of the water its no contest.
Wow. I'm rude. Nobody asked me anything
Sent from SPINER
I was using adw for a long time and just recently switched to nova thanks to a little persuasion by the "god father" john Corleone. I really like it.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Question: How do you create folders in app drawer? I don't see a create folder option anywhere.
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bhavi_jp said:
Question: How do you create folders in app drawer? I don't see a create folder option anywhere.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont think you can do that
You can only create folders in the app drawer with Nova Prime. Go to Nova settings, Drawer, Drawer Groups
DataHawg said:
You can only create folders in the app drawer with Nova Prime. Go to Nova settings, Drawer, Drawer Groups
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to create folders using the free version of Nova??
dweeze87 said:
I was able to create folders using the free version of Nova??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing you have some sort of hacked Prime then because I wasn't able to and I had to buy Prime.
But Nova Launcher is effing amazing. LOVE the folder option in App Drawer and the transparency. Nova is so much more smoother than Apex and these new features and just making it more epic.
iniz94 said:
I'm guessing you have some sort of hacked Prime then because I wasn't able to and I had to buy Prime.
But Nova Launcher is effing amazing. LOVE the folder option in App Drawer and the transparency. Nova is so much more smoother than Apex and these new features and just making it more epic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could be right and I agree with you regarding Nova. I love it!!
I like it better than Apex also. With Apex you can only save one backup of your settings and screen configuration. Nova lets you save as many as you want and you can rename the backups. It also does a better job of restoring IMO. In my settings there is a blue Prime banner on the option for Drawer Groups where you create the folders.
iniz94 said:
I'm guessing you have some sort of hacked Prime then because I wasn't able to and I had to buy Prime.
But Nova Launcher is effing amazing. LOVE the folder option in App Drawer and the transparency. Nova is so much more smoother than Apex and these new features and just making it more epic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was going to say it was smoother and maybe a bit faster than Apex. I think people say they like Apex better because they don't have to pay to get the Prime features. I was happy to pay for it since I have used it since beta 1. It was even great in the beginning. It was the only launcher that could pull me away from ADW EX. They did finally add swipe to hide dock which I did email them about because it was the only thing I was missing. I love being able to have a completely clean screen
Sent from either ET4G or NS4G using Xparent Tapatalk 2
DataHawg said:
I like it better than Apex also. With Apex you can only save one backup of your settings and screen configuration. Nova lets you save as many as you want and you can rename the backups. It also does a better job of restoring IMO. In my settings there is a blue Prime banner on the option for Drawer Groups where you create the folders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm new to all launchers not called touchwiz... does it save all your widgets and shortcuts too?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
How did I miss app drawer transparency??
I love Nova. Perfect upgrade from LauncherPro.
I like Nova Launcher prime allot. I purchased it after flashing a ROM that included the free version (I believe it was Venum ICE), and have used it as my daily launcher since.
I was wondering if anyone else has lost the ability to have the wallpaper scroll since the last update. Everything seemed to be working great until I updated it the other day. Out of nowhere, the wallpaper quit scrolling.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
blackcanopy said:
I like Nova Launcher prime allot. I purchased it after flashing a ROM that included the free version (I believe it was Venum ICE), and have used it as my daily launcher since.
I was wondering if anyone else has lost the ability to have the wallpaper scroll since the last update. Everything seemed to be working great until I updated it the other day. Out of nowhere, the wallpaper quit scrolling.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here BC. I think it started with FD16 and doesn't seem to matter which launcher you use. I tried installing Apex too and it didn't work with it either.
I stated to use Apex Launcher and installed an AOKP rom which had Nova preinstalled, I haven't look back sense. Nova +1
I was wondering what launchers everyone was using besides stock TW. Just kinda of getting bored with it and seeing what else is out there. So basically, any recomendations?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
I use Apex. I have tried Go, Nova, and Apex. Prefer that one.
A lot of people love Nova though too so really you need to try them out yourself and see what fits you best. But I'd start with apex, nova, go, etc. they are the main ones.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1635930
enjoy. find hwat works best for you
apex
I've tried Nova, Apex, Go...Go was my favorite as it handles scrolling widgets and have all the features I wanted/needed baked in, I just couldn't get it as fast and fluid as TW. Nova was my second favorite but you have to pay for the Pro version that has the gesture features, among others, it also doesn't support scrolling widgets. Nova was pretty fast and fluid though so long as I had power saving mode off and it set to "faster than light", but that drained battery. So for the time being, i'm back to TW.
always used adwex, i still find it snappier than nova, apex, etc.
Apex for me is the best outta the ics launchers
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LG Home or Trebuchet for me
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
I have found the cause of the issue I was experiencing above, I was only changing the animation speed...there is also a scrolling speed to adjust as well. I changed both to "fast as light" and it's all good now.
I've found that no matter what android I an on one of the first t things I download is Zeam launcher droid, nook color ,nook tablet ,HTC flyer, hero, epic, etc4g and now s3. Only thing it forest have for me is folders as icons.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
I was using Go for a while until I came across Nova. For me it seemed like Go was using a lot of resources. That doesn't matter now with this phone. I like the small things about Nova. Pay for prime, well worth the money imo.
OhioDroid80 said:
I was using Go for a while until I came across Nova. For me it seemed like Go was using a lot of resources. That doesn't matter now with this phone. I like the small things about Nova. Pay for prime, well worth the money imo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. They also have been adding features. I like the unread count add-on as well.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
OhioDroid80 said:
I was using Go for a while until I came across Nova. For me it seemed like Go was using a lot of resources. That doesn't matter now with this phone. I like the small things about Nova. Pay for prime, well worth the money imo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here! Nova Prime is lovely
via Galaxy S III
I tried lots and I always come back to ADW EX, I use the same on my TF201 tablet they go well but I'm still searching
adwex has been the best launcher for me. Everything about it is great.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
Launcher 7 is all I care to use. Once I used it, I realized, Android makes it too difficult to find/touch the simple things.
I love apex launcher.. that 5x5
Felnarion said:
Launcher 7 is all I care to use. Once I used it, I realized, Android makes it too difficult to find/touch the simple things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? If you say so
blackte4 said:
I love apex launcher.. that 5x5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nova goes up to 7x7
Nova prime
Nova prime
__________________
Samsung Galaxy S III I747
Hi everybody,
The Launcher plays a huge role in a smartphone experience. It can enhance it or break it. There is a multitude of new Launchers out there and of course I haven' try them all. I've been using Nova Prime as my home screen launcher for quite some time now. I tried Apex, Go Launcher, SPB Shell and more but I always come back to Nova. I just love the gesture and speed this lightweight launcher can give.
So what is your preferred launcher and WHY? Which one do you think should be called the KING of Launcher?
Also
Battle of the Music Players - Neutron Vs The Others
Battle of the Web Browser - Is Dolphin Unbeatable?
Nova. It's fast, it's clean, it's well laid out and easy to use.
Sent from the mighty Note II.
dr.m0x said:
Nova. It's fast, it's clean, it's well laid out and easy to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like you and I have a lot in common. lol
Nova was never the king. Apex is. It has more features. It's lighter and costs less.
I use next launcher its smooth and efffects r very attractive!!
Nova, hands down. And I've tried Apex - it's alright, but never really liked it. Hated Go Launcher.
Next Launcher
Try this and you never go back to other launchers !
Listener launcher
hes_luckey said:
Next Launcher
Try this and you never go back to other launchers !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For some reasons I can't install it.
I've tried a few different launchers but find Nova to be the best, so much so that i bought it.
Not really sure the difference between paid versions of Nova or Apex though as the free versions seem very similar. Any big difference between the two??
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
I also agree tha nova is the best, I've tried several launchers and always come back yo it.
For me is the launcher that should come with Android by default and I'm using the free version...
Desde mi Note II
Kremata said:
Looks like you and I have a lot in common. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently we are both blue aliens.
Sent from the mighty Note II.
dr.m0x said:
Apparently we are both blue aliens.
Sent from the mighty Note II.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, let's diversitate. I use Ra3al's Xperia launcher Z ! (No widgets, just the launcher!)
hes_luckey said:
Next Launcher
Try this and you never go back to other launchers !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never tried it before just having a play with it now. It looks quite good but is it worth the price upgrading to the full version? Not to sure what extras there are
Sent from my GT-N7105 using xda premium
kersey said:
I've tried a few different launchers but find Nova to be the best, so much so that i bought it.
Not really sure the difference between paid versions of Nova or Apex though as the free versions seem very similar. Any big difference between the two??
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the Play Store at the bottom of the description of the free version they'll tell you what you get if you get the Prime (paid) version.
TT Launcher is good also http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=37696403
Used Go for a long time .tried Next, Apex and found a home with Nova. Tried some of the more graphical launchers but the simplicity of Nova draws me back.
+1 for Nova
SGH-T889.Rooted.Jedi X12
hes_luckey said:
Next Launcher
Try this and you never go back to other launchers !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried Next Launcher and went back to Nova. :cyclops: Frankly nothing special about it for me.
TSF shell have some cool widgets and can have some unconventional nice layout IF they could only come out with a bugless version.
Now using Launcher 8, kinda cool and different. Really like it for now.
Nova is still the most stable and smooth for me. Its always installed while i try other launchers.
Just noticed that Holo Launcher HD is smoother than Nova, in case of scrolling through home screens and app drawer, for me.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
I've been using Nova because well... it's Nova! But Apex has an option to use the tablet UI found on many 10' tablets and I'm interested in that. But how does it stack up against Nova for speed, smoothness, lack of lag, stability, battery, and memory use?
omnius1 said:
I've been using Nova because well... it's Nova! But Apex has an option to use the tablet UI found on many 10' tablets and I'm interested in that. But how does it stack up against Nova for speed, smoothness, lack of lag, stability, battery, and memory use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never used Nova but I've been running Apex since purchase and it's great.
Its a preference really, apex spaces things better than nova. Apex will look like stock on the device while nova wont.
Apex vertical widget scrolling is slow and choppy. Nova isn't.
Both are free. Install them and see what you like better.
i use nova on my nexus4, i downloaded it on the tablet and i felt lag in the app drawer so i decided to go with apex, havnt had scroll lag yet:good:
also apex has tablet ui mode, It looks and feels much better that way, for me at least
I use nova but SS launcher is going to be given a whirl
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Nova is running flawlessly for me.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I use Smart Launcher and it is very fast, lightweight, and is functional.