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Head-to-head · Start Menu Customization Software

Seelen UI vs StartAllBack

  • 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
StartAllBack #5 in Start Menu Customization Software 8.7/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 2 features Visit StartAllBack

Seelen UI leads on 1 check, StartAllBack 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 scoreSeelen UI · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Seelen UI
  • Free trialonly StartAllBack
  • Most featuresSeelen UI · 2 of 2

Seelen UI scores higher on our rubric for start menu customization software: 9.1 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

Seelen UI offers free plan; StartAllBack doesn't. On supported windows, Seelen UI gives you Both where StartAllBack offers Windows_11.

Seelen UI is the better fit for free users wanting broad Windows customization. StartAllBack is the better fit for windows 11 users wanting extensive taskbar control.

  • Seelen UI fits best

    Free users wanting broad Windows customization

  • StartAllBack fits best

    Windows 11 users wanting extensive taskbar control

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Side by side

Feature Seelen UI 9.1/10 Visit ↗ StartAllBack 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.7
Ranking #2 in Start Menu Customization Software #5 in Start Menu Customization Software
Best for Free users wanting broad Windows customization Windows 11 users wanting extensive taskbar control
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Seelen UI 2/2 · StartAllBack 1/2
Start button controls ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Custom search ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported Windows Both Windows_11
Replacement mode Shell_replacement Not checked yet
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 Start menu styles with integrated search
  • Detailed taskbar controls for position, labels, sizing and grouping
  • Restyles context menus and Windows Explorer interface elements
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 11 rather than broader Windows versions
  • Paid product with no free plan
  • License information is presented as a single plan
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 →

StartAllBack is a Windows 11 desktop customization utility for people who prefer classic Windows interface behavior over the default experience. It restores alternative Start menu styles and navigation, adds Start menu search, and supports…

Read the review →
  1. Seelen UIStart Menu Customization Software 9.1Free plan
  2. StartAllBackStart Menu Customization Software 8.730-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

  • StartAllBack — where it wins

    • Classic Start menu styles with integrated search
    • Detailed taskbar controls for position, labels, sizing and grouping
    • Restyles context menus and Windows Explorer interface elements

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports Windows 11 rather than broader Windows versions
    • Paid product with no free plan
    • License information is presented as a single plan

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