Start11 vs StartIsBack

SStart119.3Visit StartIsBack8.8Visit

Higher score S Start11 #1 in Start Menu Customization Software 9.3/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Start11

vs

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

• Start11 fits best

  Power users and organizations needing deep control

• StartIsBack fits best

  Windows 10 users seeking affordable classic controls

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Side by side

Feature	SStart11 9.3/10 Visit ↗	StartIsBack 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Start Menu Customization Software	#4 in Start Menu Customization Software
Best for	Power users and organizations needing deep control	Windows 10 users seeking affordable classic controls
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	—	$4.99/device one-time
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Support	Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs	Email, Community
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Enterprise
Features Start11 2/2 · StartIsBack 2/2
Start button controls	✓	✓
Custom search	✓	✓
Specs
Supported Windows	Both	Windows_10
Replacement mode	Overlay	Overlay
Taskbar controls	Extensive	Extensive
Saved profiles	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Multiple Start menu layouts with detailed visual and organizational controls Extensive taskbar customization, pinning, positioning, and ungrouping Backup, kiosk locking, scripting, and deployment configuration tools	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	Available for Windows only No free plan is offered Search integrations are centered on Everything and Microsoft Edge	Documented support is limited to Windows 10 There is no permanent free plan Newer Windows versions require separate related products
Our verdict	Start11 is a paid Windows desktop customization application from Stardock Corporation. It replaces and enhances the Start menu on Windows 10 and Windows 11, with support for ARM systems. The product is aimed at power users who want more… 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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Start11 — where it wins

  • Multiple Start menu layouts with detailed visual and organizational controls
  • Extensive taskbar customization, pinning, positioning, and ungrouping
  • Backup, kiosk locking, scripting, and deployment configuration tools

  Where it doesn't

  • Available for Windows only
  • No free plan is offered
  • Search integrations are centered on Everything and Microsoft Edge

• 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

• SStart119.3/10 · Paid

  A paid Windows customization tool for detailed Start menu, taskbar, search, and deployment control.

  Visit Start11Full verdict →
• StartIsBack8.8/10 · 30-day trial

  A focused, low-cost way to restore classic Start and taskbar behavior on Windows 10.

  Visit StartIsBackFull verdict →