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

Seelen UI vs Power8

  • 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
Power8 #7 in Start Menu Customization Software 8.4/10 Open source ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Power8

Seelen UI leads on 0 checks, Power8 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 planonly Seelen UI

Seelen UI scores higher on our rubric for start menu customization software: 9.1 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

On supported windows, Seelen UI gives you Both where Power8 offers Windows_10. On replacement mode, Seelen UI gives you Shell_replacement where Power8 offers Overlay.

Seelen UI is the better fit for free users wanting broad Windows customization. Power8 is the better fit for users wanting a feature-rich Start replacement.

  • Seelen UI fits best

    Free users wanting broad Windows customization

  • Power8 fits best

    Users wanting a feature-rich Start replacement

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 Seelen UI 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Power8 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.4
Ranking #2 in Start Menu Customization Software #7 in Start Menu Customization Software
Best for Free users wanting broad Windows customization Users wanting a feature-rich Start replacement
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
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 · Power8 2/2
Start button controls ✓ ✓
Custom search ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported Windows Both Windows_10
Replacement mode Shell_replacement Overlay
Taskbar controls Extensive Extensive
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
  • Search spans apps, control-panel items, files, documents, and network items
  • Includes power actions, pinning, recent apps, and Jump Lists
  • Extensive taskbar and Start button customization options
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 utility with Windows 10 as the documented supported platform
  • Overlay replacement may not suit users seeking a native Start menu experience
  • Internet search shortcuts depend on configurable external search providers
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 →

Power8 is an open-source Windows desktop utility that replaces the standard Start menu with a taskbar-integrated overlay. It is aimed at Windows users who prefer a compact, classic-style launcher with more control over programs, folders,…

Read the review →
  1. Seelen UIStart Menu Customization Software 9.1Free plan
  2. Power8Start Menu Customization Software 8.4Open source

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

  • Power8 — where it wins

    • Search spans apps, control-panel items, files, documents, and network items
    • Includes power actions, pinning, recent apps, and Jump Lists
    • Extensive taskbar and Start button customization options

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only utility with Windows 10 as the documented supported platform
    • Overlay replacement may not suit users seeking a native Start menu experience
    • Internet search shortcuts depend on configurable external search providers
  • Seelen UI9.1/10 · Free plan

    A broad, free Windows shell replacement for users who want more than Start menu tweaks.

    Visit Seelen UIFull verdict →
  • Power88.4/10 · Open source

    A feature-rich Windows Start replacement for users who want more control over search and taskbar behavior.

    Visit Power8Full verdict →

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