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Head-to-head · Taskbar Customization Software

Start11 vs WindowBlinds

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Start11 #6 in Taskbar Customization Software 8.1/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Start11
WindowBlinds #8 in Taskbar Customization Software 7.8/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 6 features Visit WindowBlinds

Start11 leads on 0 checks, WindowBlinds on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreStart11 · 8.1/10
  • Free trialonly WindowBlinds
  • Most featuresWindowBlinds · 1 of 6

Start11 scores higher on our rubric for taskbar customization software: 8.1 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.

Start11 is the better fit for start menu and taskbar customization together. WindowBlinds is the better fit for windows-wide visual skin customization.

  • Start11 fits best

    Start menu and taskbar customization together

  • WindowBlinds fits best

    Windows-wide visual skin customization

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Side by side

Feature Start11 8.1/10 Visit ↗ WindowBlinds 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.1 7.8
Ranking #6 in Taskbar Customization Software #8 in Taskbar Customization Software
Best for Start menu and taskbar customization together Windows-wide visual skin customization
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — 30-day trial
Free plan — —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs Community, Tickets
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Start11 0/6 · WindowBlinds 1/6
Taskbar positioning Not checked yet Not checked yet
Transparency controls Not checked yet ✓ (best)
App grouping controls Not checked yet Not checked yet
Multi-monitor support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Taskbar sizing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Portable version Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Platform Not checked yet Windows
Our review
Pros
  • Offers classic, modern, professional, app, and launcher Start menu styles.
  • Customizes taskbar appearance, position, pinned items, and context menus.
  • Includes backup, restore, kiosk locking, scripting, and deployment tools.
  • Customizes taskbars, window frames, and desktop interface elements
  • Offers colors, textures, fonts, backgrounds, and transparency controls
  • Includes presets, skin browsing, and custom-skin creation with SkinStudio
Cons
  • Paid software with no free plan.
  • Designed for Windows 10 and 11, including ARM systems.
  • Each listed plan includes 30 days of support, not 24/7 support.
  • Supports Windows only
  • Requires a paid product; no free plan is listed
  • Taskbar customization is part of a broader visual suite, not its sole focus
Our verdict

Start11 is a Windows desktop customization application from Stardock Corporation that replaces and enhances the Start menu while adding controls for the taskbar. It suits people and organizations that want Start menu layouts and taskbar…

Read the review →

WindowBlinds is Windows desktop-customization software from Stardock for people who want to change the appearance of Windows 10 or Windows 11 beyond standard personalization options. It applies visual skins across taskbars, window frames,…

Read the review →
  1. Start11Taskbar Customization Software 8.1Paid
  2. WindowBlindsTaskbar Customization Software 7.830-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Start11 — where it wins

    • Offers classic, modern, professional, app, and launcher Start menu styles.
    • Customizes taskbar appearance, position, pinned items, and context menus.
    • Includes backup, restore, kiosk locking, scripting, and deployment tools.

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid software with no free plan.
    • Designed for Windows 10 and 11, including ARM systems.
    • Each listed plan includes 30 days of support, not 24/7 support.

  • WindowBlinds — where it wins

    • Customizes taskbars, window frames, and desktop interface elements
    • Offers colors, textures, fonts, backgrounds, and transparency controls
    • Includes presets, skin browsing, and custom-skin creation with SkinStudio

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports Windows only
    • Requires a paid product; no free plan is listed
    • Taskbar customization is part of a broader visual suite, not its sole focus

More comparisons

All taskbar customization software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update