StartIsBack vs Power8

StartIsBack8.8Visit Power88.4Visit

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

vs

Power8 #7 in Start Menu Customization Software 8.4/10 Open source ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Power8

• StartIsBack fits best

  Windows 10 users seeking affordable classic controls

• Power8 fits best

  Users wanting a feature-rich Start replacement

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Side by side

Feature	StartIsBack 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Power8 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.4
Ranking	#4 in Start Menu Customization Software	#7 in Start Menu Customization Software
Best for	Windows 10 users seeking affordable classic controls	Users wanting a feature-rich Start replacement
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	$4.99/device one-time	Open source
Free plan	—	Not checked yet
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Support	Email, Community	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features StartIsBack 2/2 · Power8 2/2
Start button controls	✓	✓
Custom search	✓	✓
Specs
Supported Windows	Windows_10	Windows_10
Replacement mode	Overlay	Overlay
Taskbar controls	Extensive	Extensive
Saved profiles	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	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	Search spans apps, control-panel items, files, documents, and network items Includes power actions, pinning, recent apps, and Jump Lists Extensive taskbar and Start button customization options
Cons	Documented support is limited to Windows 10 There is no permanent free plan Newer Windows versions require separate related products	Windows-only utility with Windows 10 as the documented supported platform Overlay replacement may not suit users seeking a native Start menu experience Internet search shortcuts depend on configurable external search providers
Our verdict	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 →	Power8 is an open-source Windows desktop utility that replaces the standard Start menu with a taskbar-integrated overlay. It is aimed at Windows users who prefer a compact, classic-style launcher with more control over programs, folders,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• 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

• Power8 — where it wins

  • Search spans apps, control-panel items, files, documents, and network items
  • Includes power actions, pinning, recent apps, and Jump Lists
  • Extensive taskbar and Start button customization options

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only utility with Windows 10 as the documented supported platform
  • Overlay replacement may not suit users seeking a native Start menu experience
  • Internet search shortcuts depend on configurable external search providers

• StartIsBack8.8/10 · 30-day trial

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

  Visit StartIsBackFull verdict →
• Power88.4/10 · Open source

  A feature-rich Windows Start replacement for users who want more control over search and taskbar behavior.

  Visit Power8Full verdict →