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Head-to-head · Start Menu Customization Software

Seelen UI vs StartIsBack

  • 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
StartIsBack #4 in Start Menu Customization Software 8.8/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit StartIsBack

Seelen UI leads on 1 check, StartIsBack 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 StartIsBack

Seelen UI scores higher on our rubric for start menu customization software: 9.1 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Seelen UI offers free plan; StartIsBack doesn't. On supported windows, Seelen UI gives you Both where StartIsBack offers Windows_10. On replacement mode, Seelen UI gives you Shell_replacement where StartIsBack offers Overlay.

Seelen UI is the better fit for free users wanting broad Windows customization. StartIsBack is the better fit for windows 10 users seeking affordable classic controls.

  • Seelen UI fits best

    Free users wanting broad Windows customization

  • StartIsBack fits best

    Windows 10 users seeking affordable classic controls

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Side by side

Feature Seelen UI 9.1/10 Visit ↗ StartIsBack 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.8
Ranking #2 in Start Menu Customization Software #4 in Start Menu Customization Software
Best for Free users wanting broad Windows customization Windows 10 users seeking affordable classic controls
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan $4.99/device one-time
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Community Email, Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Enterprise
Features Seelen UI 2/2 · StartIsBack 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
  • Restores a Windows 7-style Start menu with configurable shortcuts
  • Offers detailed taskbar skins, sizing, centering, color, and translucency controls
  • Includes search customization and Group Policy support
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
  • Documented support is limited to Windows 10
  • There is no permanent free plan
  • Newer Windows versions require separate related products
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 →

StartIsBack is a desktop utility for Windows 10 users who want a Windows 7-style Start menu and more control over the taskbar. It supports launching programs and documents, searching for items, configuring Start menu shortcuts, changing…

Read the review →
  1. Seelen UIStart Menu Customization Software 9.1Free plan
  2. StartIsBackStart Menu Customization Software 8.830-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

  • StartIsBack — where it wins

    • Restores a Windows 7-style Start menu with configurable shortcuts
    • Offers detailed taskbar skins, sizing, centering, color, and translucency controls
    • Includes search customization and Group Policy support

    Where it doesn't

    • Documented support is limited to Windows 10
    • There is no permanent free plan
    • Newer Windows versions require separate related products

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