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Head-to-head · Startup Manager Software

Autoruns vs WhatInStartup

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Autoruns #1 in Startup Manager Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Autoruns
WhatInStartup #5 in Startup Manager Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit WhatInStartup

Autoruns leads on 0 checks, WhatInStartup on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAutoruns · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresWhatInStartup · 2 of 4

Autoruns scores higher on our rubric for startup manager software: 9.4 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

Autoruns is the better fit for deep Windows startup inspection. WhatInStartup is the better fit for portable startup auditing and export.

  • Autoruns fits best

    Deep Windows startup inspection

  • WhatInStartup fits best

    Portable startup auditing and export

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Side by side

Feature Autoruns 9.4/10 Visit ↗ WhatInStartup 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.6
Ranking #1 in Startup Manager Software #5 in Startup Manager Software
Best for Deep Windows startup inspection Portable startup auditing and export
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Community, Docs Email
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Autoruns 0/4 · WhatInStartup 2/4
Startup delay Not checked yet Not checked yet
Service control Not checked yet Not checked yet
Startup inspection Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Portable edition Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Windows support Not checked yet Other
Startup item limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Scans startup folders, Registry keys, services, drivers, and scheduled tasks
  • Verifies digital signatures and supports optional VirusTotal checks
  • Includes Autorunsc with CSV and XML output options
  • 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 utility
  • Does not provide general-purpose junk cleanup
  • Does not update device drivers
  • 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

Autoruns is a Windows utility for inspecting and managing programs, drivers, services, and other components configured to run automatically. It suits users who need a detailed view of boot, login, and application startup activity,…

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. AutorunsStartup Manager Software 9.4Free plan
  2. WhatInStartupStartup Manager Software 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Autoruns — where it wins

    • Scans startup folders, Registry keys, services, drivers, and scheduled tasks
    • Verifies digital signatures and supports optional VirusTotal checks
    • Includes Autorunsc with CSV and XML output options

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only utility
    • Does not provide general-purpose junk cleanup
    • Does not update device drivers

  • 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