Best iOS 14 Home Screen Widgets for iPhone and iPad
Widgy is the top pick for iOS 14 home screen widgets because it gives you unusually flexible control over layout, data and appearance without requiring you to build an entire app. If you want a simpler option, Widgetsmith is easier to set up; the best choice depends on whether you value customization, ready-made information or a specific job such as launching apps.
What to Look For
iOS 14 introduced home screen widgets, but they are not miniature app windows: they show information or shortcuts and generally refresh according to iOS scheduling. Pick a widget app for what it can display reliably, not promises of constant live updates.
- Useful information: Check that it supports the data you actually want, such as calendars, weather, photos, reminders or health and activity summaries. Some features require access to Apple’s apps or a paid plan.
- Widget sizes: iOS 14 supports small, medium and large widgets, with different layouts depending on the app. Confirm the size you want is available before designing a screen around it.
- Setup effort: A template-based app is quicker. A design tool can be more adaptable but may involve choosing data sources, fonts, colors and layouts yourself.
- Privacy and permissions: Review what data an app requests and whether it needs location, calendar, photos or other access. You can limit or deny permissions, though related features may stop working.
- Cost and maintenance: Check which designs are free, what requires a subscription or one-time purchase, and whether the app still supports your iOS version. Prices and plan details can change.
- Refresh expectations: Widgets may not update instantly. Battery use, system scheduling, network access and the app’s own design all affect freshness.
Widgy: Best for Custom Designs
Widgy is a strong choice when you want to make a widget that looks and behaves the way you have in mind. Its editor supports custom arrangements and combinations of information, so it can suit a coordinated home screen or a compact dashboard rather than a standard template.
Strengths: High design flexibility, multiple widget sizes and room to combine visual elements with data. It is a good fit for people who enjoy tuning colors, spacing and content.
Trade-offs: The editor has a learning curve, and elaborate designs take time to configure. Some features or sharing options may depend on the current app version or paid offering; check the listing before buying.
Best for: Customization-minded users who want more control than a preset gallery offers.
Widgetsmith: Best for an Easy Start
Widgetsmith became popular for making photo, date, calendar and other simple widgets easy to personalize. The basic idea is approachable: create a widget in the app, choose its style and content, then add it to the home screen.
Strengths: A recognizable template-based workflow and options for matching widgets to a preferred look. It is a sensible starting point if you have not used third-party widgets before.
Trade-offs: Not every feature is free, and the available data and designs can change. Some widgets need permissions or configuration to show the information you expect. It offers less open-ended layout control than a dedicated widget editor.
Best for: Anyone who wants attractive, straightforward widgets without designing every element from scratch.
Color Widgets: Best for Coordinated Themes
Color Widgets focuses on styled clock, date and calendar-like designs, with templates intended to make a home screen feel visually consistent. It can be an efficient route to a polished look if appearance matters more than packing in lots of data.
Strengths: Ready-to-use designs and a low-effort way to coordinate colors and typography. It is approachable for people who prefer choosing a theme over building a widget.
Trade-offs: Free and paid content can differ, and the most decorative choices may be behind an in-app purchase or subscription. A theme-first widget may show less useful information than a calendar or dashboard specialist.
Best for: Users who want a themed screen and simple glanceable details.
Launcher: Best for App Shortcuts
Launcher is designed around quick access to apps and actions, making it a practical alternative to widgets that mainly display information. Depending on its current feature set and iOS restrictions, it can offer shortcuts to selected apps, contacts or supported actions.
Strengths: Helps reduce taps for frequently used destinations and can make a widget function like a small launch panel. It is useful when the main goal is getting somewhere quickly.
Trade-offs: iOS controls what third-party widgets can launch and how actions behave, so check compatibility with the apps and actions you need. Some customization may be paid, and a shortcut widget is less useful if you prefer a clean screen.
Best for: People who want a home screen widget to speed up repeat tasks rather than display photos or decorative information.
Widgeridoo: Best for Modular Information
Widgeridoo takes a modular approach: users can arrange different kinds of information in sections within a widget. That makes it worth considering if you want a practical overview, such as a mix of calendar details and other supported data, in one place.
Strengths: Flexible combinations of content and a more functional feel than purely decorative templates. It can help consolidate information without filling the screen with separate widgets.
Trade-offs: The result depends on which data modules the app supports and how much configuration you are willing to do. Availability, feature limits and compatibility can change, so verify the current App Store description.
Best for: Users who want a compact information panel and are comfortable arranging its components.
How to Choose
Start with the job. For a custom dashboard, try Widgy or Widgeridoo. For simple personalized dates, photos or calendar-style designs, start with Widgetsmith. Choose Color Widgets if a coordinated visual theme is the priority, or Launcher if you want shortcuts. There is no universal winner: the best app is the one that supports your intended content at the size you need.
Set a budget before installing. Many widget apps can be downloaded free, but features, templates and customization may require payment. Try the free version first when available, and check whether payment is a subscription or a one-time purchase. Do not assume an old review describes today’s pricing.
Balance looks against usefulness. A very customized widget can make a screen feel personal, but may take longer to build and maintain. A template is quicker, while a modular dashboard can show more at a glance but appear busier. Start with one small or medium widget and see whether its information is genuinely useful.
Account for iOS limits. To add a widget, touch and hold an empty area of the Home Screen until the icons jiggle, tap the add button, find the app, choose a size and tap Add Widget. The app may also require you to create or configure a widget inside the app first. If the widget is blank or stale, open the app, check permissions and connectivity, then remove and add the widget again. iOS decides when many widgets refresh, so third-party apps cannot guarantee continuous live updates.
Check device compatibility. iOS 14 widgets are available on supported iPhones and iPads, but the app’s current compatibility and feature availability may differ by device and operating-system version. If you specifically need an older iOS 14-compatible release, check the App Store listing and your device before relying on a feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add third-party widgets on iOS 14?
Yes. Install a compatible app, configure its widget if needed, then add it from the Home Screen widget gallery.
Do these apps work on iPad?
Many widget apps support iPad, but layouts and available sizes can differ. Confirm iPad compatibility in the App Store listing.
Are third-party widgets free?
Some features are often free, while extra styles, data options or customization may cost money. Check the current in-app purchase details.
Why is my widget not updating?
Widgets do not necessarily refresh instantly. Open the app, verify its permissions and internet connection, and check its settings. Removing and adding the widget again can help if it remains blank.
Can I make a widget open an app?
Some widgets provide tappable areas or shortcuts, but behavior depends on the app and iOS. For a screen focused on launching apps, choose a launcher-style option and check its supported actions.
Can widgets show live information all the time?
No. iOS manages refresh timing to balance performance and battery use. Choose a widget for information that remains useful even if it is not updated every moment.
Bottom Line
Choose Widgy if flexible design and a personalized dashboard matter most; it is the best all-around starting point for people willing to spend time configuring a widget. For less setup, try Widgetsmith, while Color Widgets, Launcher and Widgeridoo make more sense for themes, shortcuts and modular information respectively. Check current pricing, compatibility and permissions before committing.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.