StartIsBack vs Start Menu 8

StartIsBack8.8Visit SMStart Menu 88.0Visit

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

vs

SM Start Menu 8 #9 in Start Menu Customization Software 8.0/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Start Menu 8

• StartIsBack fits best

  Windows 10 users seeking affordable classic controls

• Start Menu 8 fits best

  Windows 10 users wanting a simple paid replacement

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Side by side

Feature	StartIsBack 8.8/10 Visit ↗	SMStart Menu 8 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.0
Ranking	#4 in Start Menu Customization Software	#9 in Start Menu Customization Software
Best for	Windows 10 users seeking affordable classic controls	Windows 10 users wanting a simple paid replacement
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$4.99/device one-time	$7.99 one-time
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Support	Email, Community	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features StartIsBack 2/2 · Start Menu 8 2/2
Start button controls	✓	✓
Custom search	✓	✓
Specs
Supported Windows	Windows_10	Windows_10
Replacement mode	Overlay	Shell_replacement
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	Classic and modern menu styles with Start button icon customization Application and file search, pinning, and custom menu groups One-time $7.99 price with useful taskbar controls
Cons	Documented support is limited to Windows 10 There is no permanent free plan Newer Windows versions require separate related products	No free plan is offered Windows 10 is the verified supported Windows version Customization is focused on Windows Start and taskbar controls
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 →	Start Menu 8 is a Windows desktop utility from IObit that replaces the standard Start experience with a classic Start Menu and customizable Start button. It is aimed at Windows 10 users who want a familiar menu layout, faster access to… 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

• Start Menu 8 — where it wins

  • Classic and modern menu styles with Start button icon customization
  • Application and file search, pinning, and custom menu groups
  • One-time $7.99 price with useful taskbar controls

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is offered
  • Windows 10 is the verified supported Windows version
  • Customization is focused on Windows Start and taskbar controls

• StartIsBack8.8/10 · 30-day trial

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

  Visit StartIsBackFull verdict →
• SMStart Menu 88.0/10 · Paid

  A focused, paid classic Start Menu replacement for Windows 10.

  Visit Start Menu 8Full verdict →