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Head-to-head · Startup Manager Software

Autorun Organizer vs WhatInStartup

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Autorun Organizer #2 in Startup Manager Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit product page
WhatInStartup #5 in Startup Manager Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit WhatInStartup

Autorun Organizer leads on 0 checks, WhatInStartup on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAutorun Organizer · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresAutorun Organizer · 3 of 4

Autorun Organizer scores higher on our rubric for startup manager software: 9.2 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

On windows support, WhatInStartup gives you Other where Autorun Organizer offers Windows 7 to 11.

Autorun Organizer is the better fit for broad startup control and boot optimization. WhatInStartup is the better fit for portable startup auditing and export.

  • Autorun Organizer fits best

    Broad startup control and boot optimization

  • WhatInStartup fits best

    Portable startup auditing and export

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Side by side

Feature Autorun Organizer 9.2/10 Visit ↗ WhatInStartup 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.6
Ranking #2 in Startup Manager Software #5 in Startup Manager Software
Best for Broad startup control and boot optimization Portable startup auditing and export
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Email, Community, Docs Email
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Autorun Organizer 3/4 · WhatInStartup 2/4
Startup delay ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Service control ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Startup inspection ✓ ✓
Portable edition Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Windows support Windows 7 to 11 Other
Startup item limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers startup entries, services, and scheduled tasks
  • Adds startup delays, batch processing, and boot-impact details
  • Includes VirusTotal scanning and new-entry notifications
  • Detailed metadata includes command line, version, company, and location.
  • Permanently disables startup items that reappear.
  • Exports startup lists to text, CSV, HTML, XML, and other formats.
Cons
  • Windows-only support limits cross-platform use
  • Not open source
  • Focused on startup control rather than broader system administration
  • Windows-only utility with dated stated support through Windows 8.
  • Focused on startup management rather than broader system administration.
  • Advanced controls may be more than casual users need.
Our verdict

Autorun Organizer is a free Windows desktop utility for controlling programs and other items that start automatically. It suits people who want detailed visibility into startup behavior, including startup entries, services, scheduled…

Read the review →

WhatInStartup is a free Windows utility from NirSoft for inspecting and managing programs that load automatically at startup. It suits users who need more than a simple enabled-or-disabled list, including startup auditing, troubleshooting,…

Read the review →
  1. Autorun OrganizerStartup Manager Software 9.2Free plan
  2. WhatInStartupStartup Manager Software 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Autorun Organizer — where it wins

    • Covers startup entries, services, and scheduled tasks
    • Adds startup delays, batch processing, and boot-impact details
    • Includes VirusTotal scanning and new-entry notifications

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only support limits cross-platform use
    • Not open source
    • Focused on startup control rather than broader system administration

  • WhatInStartup — where it wins

    • Detailed metadata includes command line, version, company, and location.
    • Permanently disables startup items that reappear.
    • Exports startup lists to text, CSV, HTML, XML, and other formats.

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only utility with dated stated support through Windows 8.
    • Focused on startup management rather than broader system administration.
    • Advanced controls may be more than casual users need.

More comparisons

All startup manager software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update