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Head-to-head · Start Menu Customization Software

Seelen UI vs Open-Shell Menu

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Seelen UI #2 in Start Menu Customization Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Seelen UI
Open-Shell Menu #3 in Start Menu Customization Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Open-Shell

Seelen UI leads on 0 checks, Open-Shell Menu on 0, and 3 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 scoreSeelen UI · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth

Seelen UI scores higher on our rubric for start menu customization software: 9.1 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

On taskbar controls, Seelen UI gives you Extensive where Open-Shell Menu offers Basic.

Seelen UI is the better fit for free users wanting broad Windows customization. Open-Shell Menu is the better fit for users wanting a free classic Start menu.

  • Seelen UI fits best

    Free users wanting broad Windows customization

  • Open-Shell Menu fits best

    Users wanting a free classic Start menu

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Side by side

Feature Seelen UI 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Open-Shell Menu 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.9
Ranking #2 in Start Menu Customization Software #3 in Start Menu Customization Software
Best for Free users wanting broad Windows customization Users wanting a free classic Start menu
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Community Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Seelen UI 2/2 · Open-Shell Menu 2/2
Start button controls ✓ ✓
Custom search ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported Windows Both Both
Replacement mode Shell_replacement Shell_replacement
Taskbar controls Extensive Basic
Saved profiles Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free and open source with Windows 10 and Windows 11 support
  • Combines Start search, pinned grids, folders, and extensive taskbar controls
  • Adds tiling, wallpapers, widgets, previews, and custom Alt+Tab switching
  • 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
Cons
  • Windows-only, with no support for other platforms
  • Shell replacement changes more than Start menu behavior
  • Focuses on Windows desktop customization rather than integrations
  • 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
Our verdict

Seelen UI is a free, open-source Windows desktop customization application for personal users who want to replace or enhance the default taskbar and Start menu. It supports Windows 10 and Windows 11, and its shell-replacement approach goes…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. Seelen UIStart Menu Customization Software 9.1Free plan
  2. Open-Shell MenuStart Menu Customization Software 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Seelen UI — where it wins

    • Free and open source with Windows 10 and Windows 11 support
    • Combines Start search, pinned grids, folders, and extensive taskbar controls
    • Adds tiling, wallpapers, widgets, previews, and custom Alt+Tab switching

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only, with no support for other platforms
    • Shell replacement changes more than Start menu behavior
    • Focuses on Windows desktop customization rather than integrations

  • 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

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