Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Start Menu Customization Software

Open-Shell Menu vs StartAllBack

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Open-Shell Menu #3 in Start Menu Customization Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Open-Shell
StartAllBack #5 in Start Menu Customization Software 8.7/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 2 features Visit StartAllBack

Open-Shell Menu leads on 1 check, StartAllBack on 0, and 2 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 scoreOpen-Shell Menu · 8.9/10
  • Free planonly Open-Shell Menu
  • Free trialonly StartAllBack
  • Most featuresOpen-Shell Menu · 2 of 2

Open-Shell Menu scores higher on our rubric for start menu customization software: 8.9 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

Open-Shell Menu offers free plan; StartAllBack doesn't. On supported windows, Open-Shell Menu gives you Both where StartAllBack offers Windows_11. On taskbar controls, StartAllBack gives you Extensive where Open-Shell Menu offers Basic.

Open-Shell Menu is the better fit for users wanting a free classic Start menu. StartAllBack is the better fit for windows 11 users wanting extensive taskbar control.

  • Open-Shell Menu fits best

    Users wanting a free classic Start menu

  • StartAllBack fits best

    Windows 11 users wanting extensive taskbar control

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Open-Shell Menu 8.9/10 Visit ↗ StartAllBack 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.7
Ranking #3 in Start Menu Customization Software #5 in Start Menu Customization Software
Best for Users wanting a free classic Start menu Windows 11 users wanting extensive taskbar control
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Open-Shell Menu 2/2 · StartAllBack 1/2
Start button controls ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Custom search ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported Windows Both Windows_11
Replacement mode Shell_replacement Not checked yet
Taskbar controls Basic Extensive
Saved profiles Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Three classic layouts, including Windows 7 and two-column options
  • Custom shortcuts, cascading menus, keyboard navigation, and search controls
  • Open-source Windows utility with Start menu and taskbar skinning
  • Classic Start menu styles with integrated search
  • Detailed taskbar controls for position, labels, sizing and grouping
  • Restyles context menus and Windows Explorer interface elements
Cons
  • Windows-only, with no support for other desktop platforms
  • Taskbar customization is limited to basic controls
  • Its shell-replacement approach is narrower than a general desktop customization suite
  • Supports Windows 11 rather than broader Windows versions
  • Paid product with no free plan
  • License information is presented as a single plan
Our verdict

Open-Shell Menu is a Windows desktop utility that replaces the modern Start menu with configurable Classic, Two columns, and Windows 7 layouts. It is aimed at people who prefer a traditional application launcher, more direct access to…

Read the review →

StartAllBack is a Windows 11 desktop customization utility for people who prefer classic Windows interface behavior over the default experience. It restores alternative Start menu styles and navigation, adds Start menu search, and supports…

Read the review →
  1. Open-Shell MenuStart Menu Customization Software 8.9Free plan
  2. StartAllBackStart Menu Customization Software 8.730-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Open-Shell Menu — where it wins

    • Three classic layouts, including Windows 7 and two-column options
    • Custom shortcuts, cascading menus, keyboard navigation, and search controls
    • Open-source Windows utility with Start menu and taskbar skinning

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only, with no support for other desktop platforms
    • Taskbar customization is limited to basic controls
    • Its shell-replacement approach is narrower than a general desktop customization suite

  • StartAllBack — where it wins

    • Classic Start menu styles with integrated search
    • Detailed taskbar controls for position, labels, sizing and grouping
    • Restyles context menus and Windows Explorer interface elements

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports Windows 11 rather than broader Windows versions
    • Paid product with no free plan
    • License information is presented as a single plan

More comparisons

All start menu customization software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update