The best thing about Android software is that it is an open-source project. By open-source project, we mean, allowing many developers to become a part of the Android community. The Android developer community is quite huge, with their most significant achievement being the ability to develop custom ROMs or custom Android builds. A custom ROM is an aftermarket firmware production based on the Android source code provided by Google. One of the main reason why people choose custom ROMs is the truth that almost all companies drop support for their devices after two years of their initial launch. On the other hand, the custom ROM manages to keep your device alive and updated with the latest in the Android world.
Some people wish to use their smartphone for years. They can only get reliable and up-to-date Android with Custom ROMs. They also provide you with the opportunity to look for brand new designs and User-interfaces and offer brilliant features.
Therefore, I am going to quote a list of best Custom ROMs for Android in 2020.
Best Custom ROMs for Android
Before starting the list, there’s something important which I need to share. For installing a custom ROM, the users require an unlocked bootloader and a custom recovery like TWRP, which is available on Google Play store as well. You must also make sure to always create a backup before proceeding forward. We have published a full article recently to explain the method for downloading custom ROM.
Here is the list of Best Custom ROMs for Android.
1. Pixel Experience:
If the Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL are too much expensive for you, but you love their aesthetic and UI, then Pixel Experience is the right option for you. This custom AOSP ROM will modify your smartphone into a Google device. It has all the Pixel features including a launcher, icons, fonts, widgets, lists, etc. Pixel Experience ROM provides a little amount of customization as it is very proximate to an original AOSP ROM. Though regardless of that, It is one of the best custom ROM right now.
Pixel Experience has a very vast list of device support from Xiaomi to Oppo and Asus to Sony. Also, it brings Pixel features on a wide range of supported devices. For example, the newer Google Assistant, built-in GCam support, Pixel live wallpapers and much more. Along with that, it has extravagant stability amongst all the ROMs that I have used for years. The main developer of the Pixel Experience is Henrique Pereira.
If you want to download Pixel Experience, click here.
2. Evolution X:
If I were to provide a description of Evolution X, I would define it as the stable version of Resurrection Remix from last year. This is due to the plethora of customization features it provides, and it does so without destabilizing the ROM. The significant difference between Evolution X and RR is that Evolution X simply fuses various code snippets into one main project. It is also the best custom ROM for gaming. At the same time, RR’s team rewrites every bit of code from start to ensure system stability.
Along with it, Evolution X has its own customisation bar which lets you make any system-level changes. Also, it has Android 10’s gesture navigation system. Recently, the developers of Evolution X decided to delete some features from the ROM because those features were not helpful, and they were slowing down the system as well. Due to which, the latest versions are more stable.
If you want to download Evolution X, click here.
3. AEX ROM (AOSP Extended):
In the current time, when installing a custom ROM in an Android device, AEX seems to be the primary choice of most users. With numerous devices that I have been using for years, AospExtended Custom ROM has never brought any worries. AEX is derived from AOSP with a wide range of extensions added on top.
The ROM has over 1.2 million downloads since late 2017. AEX Android Custom ROM has always remained a top preference. Most notably, AEX ROM has all the things one might wish for like Navbar tweaks, Gestures, App Ops, etc. As a result, stability seldom becomes a problem. Adding to that a smooth User Interface, cool graphics, fonts, and an extra-ordinary development team. That’s the reason AEX ROM is among the top three in my list.
If you want to download AEX ROM, click here.
4. Lineage OS:
LineageOS is an inheritor to by far the most famous custom ROM, CyanogenMod ROM. It was built using Google’s AOSP code as its primary base and with their own added custom code. Lineage OS operates as the source code for a lot of other custom ROMs as well. It has focused on openness, community development, and improvement of the stock Android experience, CyanogenMod supported several devices officially with nightly updates. The ROM has a compact launcher, a feature-packed camera application and some selected pre-installed apps due to which a significant portion of memory is saved.
Almost every best ROM list that you guys have gone through would have Lineage OS in the top positions and for good reasons too.
If you want to download Lineage OS, click here.
5. Resurrection Remix:
Say hello to one of the best customization Kings of the Android Custom ROM World. The Resurrection Remix has been around since the inception of custom ROMs. RR began its development in the early days of Android when 4.0 was developed. Since then, RR has never failed to impress the users. RR is equipped with its feature-packed settings menu to alter the Android smartphone according to your own liking. Due to which, it certainly deserves some applaud and credit. The development team of RR is always trying its best to stay a step ahead.
Also, RR Rom lends the features from AOSP, LineageOS, SlimRoms, and Paranoid Android. In addition to that, the RR project development team adds even more exciting stuff along the way. But, all that jam-packed stuff can threaten stability. However, throughout my usage, I don’t confer to that.
If you want to download Resurrection Remix, click here.
6. CrDroid:
Imagine being on an Android device’s stock ROM, but with some tweaks here and there that offers us to customise our device without losing out on the Stock stability. So that’s crDroid ROM for you. The ROM has been around for a significant amount of time, and it has earned massive fame among the stock Android enthusiasts. It is a bit similar to AOSP Extended. CrDroid has an active development team and also supports few old devices like Redmi Note 5 Pro, Poco F1, Redmi 4A and many more.
CrDroid ROM is based on LineageOS at its base. The performance and battery life of this ROM is exceptional. When I tested this ROM, the battery life was just the same as the stock ROM. But, customization is on the limited side.
If you want to download CrDroid, click here.
7. Paranoid Android:
Paranoid Android is one of the primary custom ROMs and is a famous alternative to CyanogenMod/LineageOS Roms. The ROM is one of my favourite of all time. Paranoid Android provides a customized and new experience of an AOSP Rom. Though it does not have several customization options available, the ROM has some new features also which google later adopted on the updated versions of Android. The Ambient Display first appeared on Paranoid Android. The custom ROM has a range of unique features. Like Hover mode and Pie which is a customized navigation bar.
If you want to download Paranoid Android, click here.
8. Havoc OS:
Defining Havoc-OS would take up more than a bunch of words. When you will first run this ROM, you would find it identical to any other custom ROM available. After using it for some days, you will literally begin to experience the true beauty of Havoc-OS. It is also one of the first custom ROMs to implement a huge bundle of features successfully. Havoc OS would remind you of RR and Paranoid Android. Having said all of that, this custom ROM is still considered as one of the most stable ROMs in the market.
The additional features of Havoc-OS include tons of modifications for the Status bar, buttons, lights, gestures, and other several configurations. IHavoc OS is occupying 8th position in my list because, at times, it lacks behind in stability. But the custom ROM has the maximum customizability features.
If you want to download Havoc OS, click here.
9. Omni ROM:
To begin with, there is nothing much to talk about the Omni Custom ROM except that this is a brilliant choice and that it can’t disappoint you. If we are speaking in terms of legacy and experience, Omni ROM stays on the top. The great Omni custom ROM was developed by many developers from the former CyanogenMod team. By hypothesizing the tag of being the “rational” successor to one of the most successful and popular custom ROMs ever built. Along with it, if that’s not enough, OmniSwitch (app-switcher), OmniJaws (Weather) and open delta (Update Utility) are all functionalities that all the other ROMs never miss to utilize. In case you don’t know, these are all innovations from the Omni project team. Furthermore, throughout my time with this best Custom ROM, Omni has never disappointed us.
If you want to download Omni ROM, click here.
10. Bootleggers ROM:
Bootleggers ROM is a newcomer that is packed with some exciting features. This special custom ROM has a resemblance to Android 8 Oreo which began as a simple project for the Moto E 2015 (LTE) Version. The rapid growth of BR development team is based on user interest, feedback, reports and commits, which gives you feedback about its quality. Most of the other Custom ROMs can be encouraged of this support and fame from users and developers alike, assisting to report problems and bugs. Though the smooth performance and stability offered by this Bootleggers ROM demands a special mention.
In addition to that, my favourite features in this custom ROM include the built-in fonts and themes, presenting a whole new aura for your Android device. This custom ROM borrows features from some other projects. Like LineageOS, Dirty Unicorns, PixelExperience, OmniROM, and many more.
If you want to download Bootleggers ROM, click here.
11. MSM Extended:
MSM Extended is another ROM that is based on the AOSP Gerrit but has its own custom designs. As MSM Extended is a novel project so you might not have heard of its name. The custom ROM was built around the launch of Android Pie. Although, despite being a new project, the custom ROM has swiftly evolved into becoming a stable and reliable ROM and offers several other competitors a run for their money.
MSM Extended ROM shows resemblance to OxygenOS and offers a lot of customizability options. The custom ROM lately updated its source code for the latest version of Android 10 and now they have started working on the Android 11 builds. In my opinion MSM Extended has too many extra features, though if you are fond of feature-packed ROMs then you must give it a try.
If you want to download MSM Extended ROM, click here.
12. Dirty Unicorn ROM:
Most of the custom ROMs in my list are relatively new. However, Dirty Unicorn ROM is one of the first ROMs in the pack and has a huge fan following since its advent way back at the time of Android Jelly Bean. What is interesting is that this classic custom ROM began with the base as AOKP (Android Open Kang Project) and with no particular name for itself.
Since then, the project has risen exponentially owing to a great community and project development team. As a result, the Dirty Unicorn ROM triumphs with a feature-rich and smooth user interface as its basic feature. The majority of novel ROMs usually tend to lend certain features and tweaks from the former well established and stable custom ROMs. Therefore, Dirty Unicorn is on the list of credits in the ROM development world.
If you want to download Dirty Unicorn, click here.
13. Arrow OS:
If you are looking for a custom ROM with minimum features and less storage space then Arrow OS is certainly the best option for you in my list. It is most probably the lightest and most functional custom ROM available. The Arrow OS project is built on the basis of AOSP code while adding some useful tweaks to it. Arrow OS is much similar to the Pixel Experience ROM but also brings some new additional features to the feature list. The most noticeable features of this custom ROM is the inclusion of the Android 10 gesture navigation system, the Recents in the overview menu and an option to select the system accent colour. The overview window displays the most used apps and a few other apps.
The customizable panel is equipped with gesture replacement and that’s the 3-button navigation bar and it’s very useful for users who desire to have the old navigation system back. Some other Arrow OS features include a custom dialer, custom Quick Settings tiles, lock screen shortcuts, Privacy Guard, and much more. The Arrow OS project provides simple and minimalistic features that finish up resulting in a clean and neat user interface, that can further be customized as well.
If you want to download Arrow OS, click here.
14. Bliss ROM:
Bliss ROM is one of the new custom ROM in the Android world but it has a huge potential. Bliss not only develops ROMs for Android smartphones, but also for tablets and Windows devices. The overall experience of this custom ROM is quite nice as it has pre-installed customized launcher and desktop mode. While a lot of users might not like this way of system navigation, one cannot escape the fact that we need different forms of skins to reshape the boundary of user interface design in custom ROMs. Other than including some tweaks to the customizability and functionality, Bliss ROM generally enhances the overall visual look of any device.
Bliss ROM has a separate settings panel known as Blissify from where you can alter almost everything. You can start right from themes to animation and lock screen interface. I would recommend if you want to try something new, do give a shot at Bliss custom ROM.
If you want to download Bliss ROM, click here.
15. AOSiP ROM:
AOSiP is one another custom ROM that is based on the AOSP base but combined with features from a range of other custom ROMs. What I love most about AOSiP (Android Open Source illusion Project) is that it does not alter the AOSP source code at all. Due to which it is very stable in performance and offers plenty of useful features through mods. In addition to that, AOSiP is gradually growing and has amazed a dedicated audience. The primary reason is that this custom ROM supports a lot of devices including Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Pixel. I would recommend if you are looking for a Pixel Experience alternative that maintains the stock Android base, and at the same time, offers endless customization features then AOSiP is the best choice.
if you want to download AOSiP ROM, click here.
