StartIsBack vs Start Menu X

StartIsBack8.8Visit Start Menu X8.5Visit

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

vs

Start Menu X #6 in Start Menu Customization Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Start Menu X

• StartIsBack fits best

  Windows 10 users seeking affordable classic controls

• Start Menu X fits best

  Budget users wanting a free Start replacement

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Side by side

Feature	StartIsBack 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Start Menu X 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.5
Ranking	#4 in Start Menu Customization Software	#6 in Start Menu Customization Software
Best for	Windows 10 users seeking affordable classic controls	Budget users wanting a free Start replacement
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$4.99/device one-time	—
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Support	Email, Community	Email
Built for	Solo, Small business, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features StartIsBack 2/2 · Start Menu X 2/2
Start button controls	✓	✓
Custom search	✓	✓
Specs
Supported Windows	Windows_10	Both
Replacement mode	Overlay	Overlay
Taskbar controls	Extensive	Not checked yet
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	Freeware includes Start menu, Start button, search, groups, and timers Virtual groups, tabs, folders, and sorting organize large app collections PRO uses a one-time purchase and adds single-click folder launching
Cons	Documented support is limited to Windows 10 There is no permanent free plan Newer Windows versions require separate related products	Available only on Windows Several structural and launch features require the PRO tier The multi-PC license is a separate purchase for two or more PCs
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 X is a Windows desktop utility that replaces the system Start menu and can replace or customize the Start button. It is aimed at Windows users and professionals who manage many applications and want more control over how… 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 X — where it wins

  • Freeware includes Start menu, Start button, search, groups, and timers
  • Virtual groups, tabs, folders, and sorting organize large app collections
  • PRO uses a one-time purchase and adds single-click folder launching

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only on Windows
  • Several structural and launch features require the PRO tier
  • The multi-PC license is a separate purchase for two or more PCs

• StartIsBack8.8/10 · 30-day trial

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

  Visit StartIsBackFull verdict →
• Start Menu X8.5/10 · Free plan

  A focused, low-cost Start replacement with useful organization tools and a free tier.

  Visit Start Menu XFull verdict →