A lot of custom ROMs for Android are available over the web for various Android devices. The only difference among all the ROMs is that some ROMs are only available for some specific devices and few ROMs for almost all devices. Popularity of ROMs depends on the supportability options on various devices. The more devices it supports the more it gets popular.
If you're looking to upgrade your Android device or you just want more control over the phone or tablet you own, you have to search for a new ROM. Rooting your smartphone is the first step, but a new ROM will give you a completely new OS experience.
As you know that there are a lot of custom ROMs available and it is not possible to include each and every custom ROMs. All the ROMs are being researched and developed based on the Google’s
Android Open Source Project (AOSP). This list includes almost all popular custom ROMs that are available for a variety of devices.
Warning! The ROMs are loaded with various features, you might come across some stability issues once they are installed. It is always recommended to take a proper backup of your personal data and contacts, messages, music, movies, files etc.
I have listed down some popular custom ROMs out there along with their features. You need to visit the official websites of the ROMs to know teh supportable devices list as it keeps changing.
1. CyanogenMod ROM
CyanogenMod is undoubtedly the most popular and the most downloaded custom ROMs available on Android platform. CyanogenMod has been around since the beginning and has gained more team members, device support and new features over the years. It has become a popular firmware for a number of devices based on the open-source Android operating system. Even it offers some amazing features that are not found in the official Android based firmwares on these smart phones. It is my all-time favorite custom ROM for almost all devices without any doubt.
Features : The various features include native theming support, FLAC audio codec support, a large Access Point Name list, an OpenVPN client, an enhanced reboot menu, support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB tethering, CPU overclocking and other performance enhancements, soft buttons and toggles in the notification pull-down (such as wi-fi, Bluetooth and GPS), app permissions management, as well as other interface enhancements aspects.
2. MIUI ROM
MIUI is one of the most popular Android ROMs and a killer of CynogenMod. It is growing its popularity day by day. After the launch of Mi3 and Redmi 1S in the market, the name MIUI has become a well-known brand. MIUI is basically based on Android 4.x, featuring better experience.
Features : It offers amazing themes from improving device performance to saving battery usage. MIUI is updated every Friday based on the feedback from its test users. Sometimes I personally prefer using MIUI because of its amazing look and feel with smooth performance for some specific devices.
MIUI ROM Official
Download link :
MIUI
3. Paranoid Android ROM
Paranoid Android is also an amazing ROM for flashing. This ROM was recently released but not a new name to people as within a very less time frame it gained the popularity. It will be the first ROM to be based on Android 4.2.2 JellyBean.
Features : It includes a lot of additional features than other available ROMs. A few features are like changing colors according to apps which is good for personalization, setting DPI according to apps, 3 different user interfaces as tablet/phablet/phone UI.
Paranoid Android ROM Official
Download link :
Parnoid Android
4. AOKP ROM
AOKP stands for Android Open Kang Project. It is a custom ROM distribution for several Android devices. The AOKP doesn’t needs any recognition as it is also an alternate choice for most of the people who moved from CynogenMod. AOKP ROM started in 2011 with Ice Cream Sandwich. So it is basically based on Android ICS. Obviously one of my favorites and based on a Nexus device. You can change the software key colors.
Features : The AOKP has multiple features that can’t be explained with a paragraph. Once you install the ROM you will come to know. The main features include performance tweaks, customizable LED notifications etc. Several unique abilities of this ROM makes it stand aside from other ROMs.
AOKP ROM Official
Download link :
AOKP
5. Replicant ROM
Replicant is another distribution of Android custom ROM that is free. Most of the Android versions are licensed freely under the Apache License 2.0. The Linux core is mostly Free Software under the GPLv2. But there are some components of the default software stack on the devices that are proprietary software. It means any component that handles the hardware directly is proprietary software.
Features : Replicant Wiki offers you a list of open source apps that can be used to replace the proprietary Google apps (Market, Gmail, Maps, etc.). Even it suggests to use F-Droid instead of Google Market. Replicant lacks in location tracking. Due to some proprietary aspects it is less popular than other ROMs.
Replicant ROM Official
Download link :
Replicant
6. LiquidSmooth ROM
In case you are very much concerned about the megahertz and gigahertz aspects of devices then Liquid Smooth is the perfect ROM for you. The emphasis is purely on performance and speed – the UI has been pretty much entirely left alone like pure Android.
Features : LiquidSmooth is a very fast and stable custom firmware packed with a ton of features like SlimPIE, Lock screen Style, Notification Reminder, Hardware key rebinding, Custom Carrier label, Smart Pulldown, Advanced Reboot, Listview Animations, Liquid Dungeon, and much much more.
7. Xylon ROM
The Xylon ROM is another pretty fast and responsive ROM which is famous for its fast and easy to use shortcuts. The Xylon is another custom ROM that is built off of AOSP, that actually means that the ROM is based on stock ROM with a few features added over it.
Features : Basically the features of FNV, CM, AOKP, Team BAKED, and Paranoid Android make up to be Xylon ROM . The ROM is very smooth and its reviews have revealed that the ROM is very much friendly with the Battery life and extends it at an unbelievable rate. Unfortunately he ROM is not so universal and is only available on the Google Nexus 4. This ROM needs a thumbs up from all of the Nexus 4 users.
8. Carbon ROM
CarbonRom is another popular firmware based on the Android Open Source Project.
Features: It is based on Android 4.3 PIE Halo AOKP. It offers comprehensive speed enhancements, including Linaro -O3 and processor-specific optimizations, and unofficial Voodoo Sound support on Note 2 and i9300 devices, lock screen options, Chronus Clock widget (taken from CyanogenMod), customizable hardware and software keys, and much more.
9. PAC True All in 1 ROM
As its name suggests you can consider it as a power packed custom ROM of Paranoid Android, AOKP and CyanogenMod 10.1.
It indulges high performance to the devices which use much more resources while in use. The ROM is very good at Gaming and also good at the interface as it frequently gets updated. The awesome ROM is not available for multiple devices mainly for Galaxy and Nexus series.
10. Chameleon OS ROM
Chameleon OS is also known as ChaOS. It is a custom Android ROM that gives the user more customized control. It has started with CyanogenMod base. It is customized in each piece to give ultimate control while maintaining the simplicity of user friendly interface of Android.
Features : The best feature of ChaOS is the theme engine that can apply different pieces of themes in a true mix-and-match style. The launcher has been completely loaded with multiple options that you have to download a third-party launcher. It offers options such as home screen previews, folder sorting, and folder icon styles. It includes amazing messaging app with awesome U, including messaging bubbles and quick emoji button.
Chameleon OS ROM Official
Download link :
Chameleon OS
11. Android Revolution HD ROM
This one is for HTC fans. Android Revolution HD is a custom ROM for HTC Desire HD. It is based on Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread).
Features : With a new kernel: 2.6.35.14 (under-volted & tweaked) it offers various fetaures. If you want to control CPU manually, you would need SetCPU to be set to "Set on Boot", but using O/C Daemon gives much better performance and battery life. It includes many CPU governors like SmartAss, Ondemand, Performance, Conservative, UserSpace etc. It is equipped with improved 2D and 3D Graphics performance.
12. Resurrection Remix ROM
Resurrection Remix is a beautiful mixture of various popular sources including CM, PA, AOKP, and original Remix. This is based on stable Android 4.4.
Features : This custom firmware offers some great features like Halo, Active display, Lockscreen Notifications, Application side bar, Omniswitch, Notification panel tweaks, Music Toggle, Pitch Black UI Mode, Camera mods, ListView Animations, Custom system animations, Custom progress bar, and more.
13. DarkyROM
DarkyROM is specifically for Samsung users, mainly Samsung Galaxy S. DarkyROM is a very popular ROM for the Samsung Galaxy S, S II and Note.
Features : It offers several tweaks and tricks for CPU utilizations, personalization aspects but the limitation is that it only supports Samsung Galaxy device.
DarkyROM Official
Download link :
DarkyROM
14. SlimROMs
SlimROMs is slimmer version or lightweight Android ROM for Google Nexus and Samsung Galaxy smartphones. It requires little bit understanding of ROMs so it is ideal for advanced users.
Features : SlimROMs comes in two different versions. They are -
- Slim Bean which is based on Jelly Beans.
- Slim ICS which is based on Ice Cream Sandwich.
SlimROMs have been designed like a way that gives you a fast and clean Android installation.
SlimROMs Official
Download link :
SlimROMs
15. OmniROM
As per the developer of OmniROM, “Omni isn't better, just different. It’s another option for the billion Android users out there. Android (vs. iOS and every other mobile OS) has thrived on options as well as the gigantic, talented development community that has emerged to build those options. That’s the beauty of Android – that you can pick and choose from a smorgasbord of devices with varying features and functionality.”
Features : It offers a platform where hardware resource utilization is measured properly and as a whole the device doesn't lag. It is one of the smoothest and fastest Android custom ROMs which makes it a stand different than others.
OmniROM Official
Download link :
OmniROM
Yes, I am done with my top 15 Android custom ROMs. All the ROMs are clean, no bloatware, no extra apps where you would experience the taste of the purest Android. Various smartphones have their own KitKat-based ROMs available right now and, some of them are somewhat stable with a few bugs here and there. Now its time for you to try these ROMs according to your device supportability and requirements and leave your valuable comments. If you discover any other amazing custom ROMs, don't forget to mention here.