ExplorerPatcher vs Actual Multiple Monitors

EExplorerPatcher8.4Visit Actual Multiple Monitors7.6Visit

Higher score E ExplorerPatcher #4 in Taskbar Customization Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Try ExplorerPatcher

vs

Actual Multiple Monitors #10 in Taskbar Customization Software 7.6/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Actual Tools

• ExplorerPatcher fits best

  Open-source Windows taskbar replacement

• Actual Multiple Monitors fits best

  Powerful multi-monitor taskbar management

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Side by side

Feature	EExplorerPatcher 8.4/10 Visit ↗	Actual Multiple Monitors 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.4	7.6
Ranking	#4 in Taskbar Customization Software	#10 in Taskbar Customization Software
Best for	Open-source Windows taskbar replacement	Powerful multi-monitor taskbar management
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	$34.95 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ExplorerPatcher 4/6 · Actual Multiple Monitors 5/6
Taskbar positioning	✓	✓
Transparency controls	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
App grouping controls	✓	✓
Multi-monitor support	✓	✓
Taskbar sizing	✓	✓
Portable version	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Platform	Windows	Windows
Our review
Pros	Supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 taskbar styles Offers edge positioning, monitor movement, grouping, and icon sizing Adds auto-hide, context-menu, Start menu, and Alt+Tab controls	Adds taskbars with Start, notification area, clock and toolbars per monitor Supports taskbar positioning, transparency, grouping and custom groups Includes profiles, window controls, wallpaper management and gaming options
Cons	Some features depend on the Windows build in use Supports Windows only No AI features or verified portable distribution	Windows-only platform support No permanent free plan after the trial period Broader desktop controls may exceed the needs of basic taskbar users
Our verdict	ExplorerPatcher is an open-source Windows utility for people who want more control over the taskbar and related shell behavior. It can restore a Windows 10-style taskbar on supported Windows 11 versions while also modifying parts of the… Read the review →	Actual Multiple Monitors extends the Windows desktop across dual-, triple- or larger multi-display setups. It adds taskbars, Start menus, system trays and task switching to additional monitors, while also supporting window movement,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• ExplorerPatcher — where it wins

  • Supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 taskbar styles
  • Offers edge positioning, monitor movement, grouping, and icon sizing
  • Adds auto-hide, context-menu, Start menu, and Alt+Tab controls

  Where it doesn't

  • Some features depend on the Windows build in use
  • Supports Windows only
  • No AI features or verified portable distribution

• Actual Multiple Monitors — where it wins

  • Adds taskbars with Start, notification area, clock and toolbars per monitor
  • Supports taskbar positioning, transparency, grouping and custom groups
  • Includes profiles, window controls, wallpaper management and gaming options

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only platform support
  • No permanent free plan after the trial period
  • Broader desktop controls may exceed the needs of basic taskbar users

• EExplorerPatcher8.4/10 · Free plan

  A broad, free taskbar replacement for Windows users who want legacy controls.

  Try ExplorerPatcherFull verdict →
• Actual Multiple Monitors7.6/10 · 30-day trial

  A feature-rich Windows utility for managing taskbars and desktops across multiple monitors.

  Visit Actual ToolsFull verdict →