Seelen UI vs Start Menu 8

Seelen UI9.1Visit SMStart Menu 88.0Visit

Higher score Seelen UI #2 in Start Menu Customization Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Seelen UI

vs

SM Start Menu 8 #9 in Start Menu Customization Software 8.0/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Start Menu 8

• Seelen UI fits best

  Free users wanting broad Windows customization

• Start Menu 8 fits best

  Windows 10 users wanting a simple paid replacement

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Side by side

Feature	Seelen UI 9.1/10 Visit ↗	SMStart Menu 8 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.0
Ranking	#2 in Start Menu Customization Software	#9 in Start Menu Customization Software
Best for	Free users wanting broad Windows customization	Windows 10 users wanting a simple paid replacement
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	$7.99 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Support	Community	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Seelen UI 2/2 · Start Menu 8 2/2
Start button controls	✓	✓
Custom search	✓	✓
Specs
Supported Windows	Both	Windows_10
Replacement mode	Shell_replacement	Shell_replacement
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	Classic and modern menu styles with Start button icon customization Application and file search, pinning, and custom menu groups One-time $7.99 price with useful taskbar controls
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	No free plan is offered Windows 10 is the verified supported Windows version Customization is focused on Windows Start and taskbar controls
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 →	Start Menu 8 is a Windows desktop utility from IObit that replaces the standard Start experience with a classic Start Menu and customizable Start button. It is aimed at Windows 10 users who want a familiar menu layout, faster access to… Read the review →

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

• Start Menu 8 — where it wins

  • Classic and modern menu styles with Start button icon customization
  • Application and file search, pinning, and custom menu groups
  • One-time $7.99 price with useful taskbar controls

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is offered
  • Windows 10 is the verified supported Windows version
  • Customization is focused on Windows Start and taskbar controls

• 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 →
• SMStart Menu 88.0/10 · Paid

  A focused, paid classic Start Menu replacement for Windows 10.

  Visit Start Menu 8Full verdict →