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Head-to-head · Start Menu Customization Software

Seelen UI vs Start10

  • 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
Start10 #8 in Start Menu Customization Software 8.2/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Start10

Seelen UI leads on 0 checks, Start10 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
  • Free trialonly Start10

Seelen UI scores higher on our rubric for start menu customization software: 9.1 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

On supported windows, Seelen UI gives you Both where Start10 offers Windows_10. On taskbar controls, Seelen UI gives you Extensive where Start10 offers Basic.

Seelen UI is the better fit for free users wanting broad Windows customization. Start10 is the better fit for windows 10 users wanting Start10 and Fences.

  • Seelen UI fits best

    Free users wanting broad Windows customization

  • Start10 fits best

    Windows 10 users wanting Start10 and Fences

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Side by side

Feature Seelen UI 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Start10 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.2
Ranking #2 in Start Menu Customization Software #8 in Start Menu Customization Software
Best for Free users wanting broad Windows customization Windows 10 users wanting Start10 and Fences
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan 30-day trial
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Community Email, Tickets
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Enterprise
Features Seelen UI 2/2 · Start10 2/2
Start button controls ✓ ✓
Custom search ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported Windows Both Windows_10
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
  • Multiple Start menu layouts with desktop and Universal app search
  • Filtered searches, custom button images, colors, and textures
  • Secondary-monitor support and Stardock Fences integration
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
  • Supports Windows 10 rather than a broader platform range
  • Taskbar customization is limited to basic controls
  • Group Policy support is available only in the business edition
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 →

Start10 replaces the Windows 10 Start menu with a choice of classic and modern layouts. It is designed for Windows 10 users who want a more traditional Start menu, more control over appearance, or a different way to find applications. The…

Read the review →
  1. Seelen UIStart Menu Customization Software 9.1Free plan
  2. Start10Start Menu Customization Software 8.230-day trial

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

  • Start10 — where it wins

    • Multiple Start menu layouts with desktop and Universal app search
    • Filtered searches, custom button images, colors, and textures
    • Secondary-monitor support and Stardock Fences integration

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports Windows 10 rather than a broader platform range
    • Taskbar customization is limited to basic controls
    • Group Policy support is available only in the business edition
  • 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 →
  • Start108.2/10 · 30-day trial

    A focused Windows 10 shell replacement for classic layouts, search, styling, and Fences integration.

    Visit Start10Full 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