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 StartIsBack

  • 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
StartIsBack #4 in Start Menu Customization Software 8.8/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit StartIsBack

Open-Shell Menu leads on 1 check, StartIsBack 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 StartIsBack

Open-Shell Menu scores higher on our rubric for start menu customization software: 8.9 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

Open-Shell Menu offers free plan; StartIsBack doesn't. On supported windows, Open-Shell Menu gives you Both where StartIsBack offers Windows_10. On replacement mode, Open-Shell Menu gives you Shell_replacement where StartIsBack offers Overlay. On taskbar controls, StartIsBack gives you Extensive where Open-Shell Menu offers Basic.

Open-Shell Menu is the better fit for users wanting a free classic Start menu. StartIsBack is the better fit for windows 10 users seeking affordable classic controls.

  • Open-Shell Menu fits best

    Users wanting a free classic Start menu

  • StartIsBack fits best

    Windows 10 users seeking affordable classic controls

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 ↗ StartIsBack 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.8
Ranking #3 in Start Menu Customization Software #4 in Start Menu Customization Software
Best for Users wanting a free classic Start menu Windows 10 users seeking affordable classic controls
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan $4.99/device one-time
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Community, Docs Email, Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Enterprise
Features Open-Shell Menu 2/2 · StartIsBack 2/2
Start button controls ✓ ✓
Custom search ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported Windows Both Windows_10
Replacement mode Shell_replacement Overlay
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
  • Restores a Windows 7-style Start menu with configurable shortcuts
  • Offers detailed taskbar skins, sizing, centering, color, and translucency controls
  • Includes search customization and Group Policy support
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
  • Documented support is limited to Windows 10
  • There is no permanent free plan
  • Newer Windows versions require separate related products
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 →

StartIsBack is a desktop utility for Windows 10 users who want a Windows 7-style Start menu and more control over the taskbar. It supports launching programs and documents, searching for items, configuring Start menu shortcuts, changing…

Read the review →
  1. Open-Shell MenuStart Menu Customization Software 8.9Free plan
  2. StartIsBackStart Menu Customization Software 8.830-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

  • StartIsBack — where it wins

    • Restores a Windows 7-style Start menu with configurable shortcuts
    • Offers detailed taskbar skins, sizing, centering, color, and translucency controls
    • Includes search customization and Group Policy support

    Where it doesn't

    • Documented support is limited to Windows 10
    • There is no permanent free plan
    • Newer Windows versions require separate related products

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