Mako Wins Switch From Niagara as $43 Price and Widget Limits Undercut Rival
Updated
Updated · MUO - MakeUseOf · Jun 18
Mako Wins Switch From Niagara as $43 Price and Widget Limits Undercut Rival
1 articles · Updated · MUO - MakeUseOf · Jun 18
Summary
Mako became the author's default launcher across multiple Android devices after Niagara's $43 lifetime license and ongoing subscription model made its no-widget design harder to justify.
Built in Kotlin and running fully on-device, Mako is free, open-source under GPL-3.0-or-later, requires no account or network connection, and is available through F-Droid.
Its single-screen layout centers on an app list and one compact info strip, while grouping and collapsible sections help tame hundreds of apps without adding heavier interface layers.
That stripped-down design also helps Mako run smoothly on older phones and tablets, though it still lacks widget stacks, gesture-heavy customization, and a resizable top strip.
The switch underscores a broader trade-off in minimalist Android launchers: users may accept fewer customization options if privacy, speed, and zero cost outweigh polish.