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Head-to-head · Startup Manager Software

BootRacer vs WhatInStartup

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score BootRacer #4 in Startup Manager Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit BootRacer
WhatInStartup #5 in Startup Manager Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit WhatInStartup

BootRacer 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 scoreBootRacer · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresBootRacer · 3 of 4

BootRacer scores higher on our rubric for startup manager software: 8.8 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

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

BootRacer is the better fit for boot-time measurement and optimization. WhatInStartup is the better fit for portable startup auditing and export.

  • BootRacer fits best

    Boot-time measurement and optimization

  • WhatInStartup fits best

    Portable startup auditing and export

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Side by side

Feature BootRacer 8.8/10 Visit ↗ WhatInStartup 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.6
Ranking #4 in Startup Manager Software #5 in Startup Manager Software
Best for Boot-time measurement and optimization Portable startup auditing and export
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $99.95/device/yr Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Phone, Tickets Email
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features BootRacer 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
  • Tracks boot history and identifies performance degradation
  • Reports startup-program timing and supports delays or reordering
  • Includes Windows service inspection and optimization tools
  • 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
  • Supports Windows only
  • Premium features require a paid license
  • Free plan is limited to non-commercial use
  • 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

BootRacer is a Windows utility for measuring boot and logon times, tracking changes in startup performance, and identifying programs that slow startup. It is suited to Windows users who want more visibility into boot behavior than a simple…

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. BootRacerStartup Manager Software 8.8Free plan
  2. WhatInStartupStartup Manager Software 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • BootRacer — where it wins

    • Tracks boot history and identifies performance degradation
    • Reports startup-program timing and supports delays or reordering
    • Includes Windows service inspection and optimization tools

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports Windows only
    • Premium features require a paid license
    • Free plan is limited to non-commercial use

  • 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