Is this true only for the non-paid, free version Nova Launcher? I checked for info about Nova Launcher Prime, the paid version which I've used for years, and don't see anything about trackers being included.

As far as paid Android apps go, I will vouch for them. I paid for prime and have continued to use it, unlike many paid apps - such as weather apps - that after less than a year became worthless and were basically a ripoff. Nova Launcher has always seemed good.