It's fine, and it works. I have a Pixel, though, and there's no way to disable the google search box on the homescreen. I will never use the search box, yet it dominates a good portion of my screen.

I think the only reason not to use stock.. I guess once of the main reasons people look elsewhere. And I don't actually need fancy features.

Probably there are more annoyances, but I never get to those since the search just kills it quick.

Is there a way to disable "swipe right for news feed"? I hated that inclusion in the Pixel launcher.

I hate that search box, it's ridiculous that they force it on users. On the plus side looking up how to get rid of it led me to Lawnchair which I have been happily using for many years at this point.