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Head-to-head · Boot Manager Software

EasyBCD vs GNU GRUB

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score EasyBCD #3 in Boot Manager Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 6 of 6 features Visit EasyBCD
GNU GRUB #5 in Boot Manager Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit GNU GRUB

EasyBCD leads on 0 checks, GNU GRUB on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreEasyBCD · 8.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresEasyBCD · 6 of 6

EasyBCD scores higher on our rubric for boot manager software: 8.3 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

On operating systems, GNU GRUB gives you Multiplatform where EasyBCD offers Windows.

EasyBCD is the better fit for windows users managing multiboot entries. GNU GRUB is the better fit for free open-source general-purpose boot management.

  • EasyBCD fits best

    Windows users managing multiboot entries

  • GNU GRUB fits best

    Free open-source general-purpose boot management

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Side by side

Feature EasyBCD 8.3/10 Visit ↗ GNU GRUB 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.3 7.9
Ranking #3 in Boot Manager Software #5 in Boot Manager Software
Best for Windows users managing multiboot entries Free open-source general-purpose boot management
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $20/device one-time Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Self-hosted
Platforms Windows Linux, Windows
Support Community, Docs Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features EasyBCD 6/6 · GNU GRUB 5/6
UEFI support ✓ ✓
BIOS support ✓ ✓
Multiboot support ✓ ✓
Boot-entry editing ✓ ✓
Boot repair ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Boot-menu customization ✓ ✓
Specs
Operating systems Windows Multiplatform
Our review
Pros
  • Edits, reorders, backs up, and restores Windows boot entries
  • Supports Windows, Linux, macOS, BSD, USB, ISO, VHD, and WinPE targets
  • Includes bootloader repair and bootable USB media creation
  • Supports both BIOS and EFI/UEFI boot environments
  • Loads multiple kernels and chain-loads other boot loaders
  • Offers configurable menus, entry editing, and a command line
Cons
  • Runs on Windows rather than across multiple desktop platforms
  • Many multiboot features are restricted in EFI mode
  • Cannot fix a PC that will not boot
  • Configuration depends on firmware mode, architecture, and setup
  • It is a bootloader rather than a conventional desktop application
  • Windows support is provided through chain-loading other boot loaders
Our verdict

EasyBCD is a Windows utility for configuring and editing the Windows Boot Configuration Data store. It is designed for people managing dual-boot or multiboot systems, including setups involving Windows, Linux, macOS, BSD, legacy systems,…

Read the review →

GNU GRUB is a free, open-source boot loader for managing startup across multiple operating systems. It is intended for users who need to load operating-system kernels, select boot entries, or chain-load another boot loader. GNU/Linux is a…

Read the review →
  1. EasyBCDBoot Manager Software 8.3Free plan
  2. GNU GRUBBoot Manager Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • EasyBCD — where it wins

    • Edits, reorders, backs up, and restores Windows boot entries
    • Supports Windows, Linux, macOS, BSD, USB, ISO, VHD, and WinPE targets
    • Includes bootloader repair and bootable USB media creation

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs on Windows rather than across multiple desktop platforms
    • Many multiboot features are restricted in EFI mode
    • Cannot fix a PC that will not boot

  • GNU GRUB — where it wins

    • Supports both BIOS and EFI/UEFI boot environments
    • Loads multiple kernels and chain-loads other boot loaders
    • Offers configurable menus, entry editing, and a command line

    Where it doesn't

    • Configuration depends on firmware mode, architecture, and setup
    • It is a bootloader rather than a conventional desktop application
    • Windows support is provided through chain-loading other boot loaders

More comparisons

All boot manager software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update