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Head-to-head · Taskbar Customization Software

TaskbarX vs Actual Multiple Monitors

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score TaskbarX #2 in Taskbar Customization Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit TaskbarX
Actual Multiple Monitors #10 in Taskbar Customization Software 7.6/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Actual Tools

TaskbarX leads on 1 check, Actual Multiple Monitors on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreTaskbarX · 8.8/10
  • Free planonly TaskbarX
  • Free trialonly Actual Multiple Monitors

TaskbarX scores higher on our rubric for taskbar customization software: 8.8 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #10.

TaskbarX offers free plan; Actual Multiple Monitors doesn't.

TaskbarX is the better fit for portable taskbar centering and visual effects. Actual Multiple Monitors is the better fit for powerful multi-monitor taskbar management.

  • TaskbarX fits best

    Portable taskbar centering and visual effects

  • Actual Multiple Monitors fits best

    Powerful multi-monitor taskbar management

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Side by side

Feature TaskbarX 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Actual Multiple Monitors 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 7.6
Ranking #2 in Taskbar Customization Software #10 in Taskbar Customization Software
Best for Portable taskbar centering and visual effects Powerful multi-monitor taskbar management
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan $34.95 one-time
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Community Email, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features TaskbarX 5/6 · Actual Multiple Monitors 5/6
Taskbar positioning ✓ ✓
Transparency controls ✓ ✓
App grouping controls Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Multi-monitor support ✓ ✓
Taskbar sizing ✓ ✓
Portable version ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Platform Windows Windows
Our review
Pros
  • Free, open source, and portable without installation or background services
  • Combines centering, offsets, animations, transparency, blur, and acrylic styles
  • Supports multi-monitor, vertical taskbars, sizing, spacing, segments, and color controls
  • Adds taskbars with Start, notification area, clock and toolbars per monitor
  • Supports taskbar positioning, transparency, grouping and custom groups
  • Includes profiles, window controls, wallpaper management and gaming options
Cons
  • Icon centering does not work on modern Windows 11 builds
  • Primarily designed for Windows 10
  • The GitHub repository is archived and read-only
  • Windows-only platform support
  • No permanent free plan after the trial period
  • Broader desktop controls may exceed the needs of basic taskbar users
Our verdict

TaskbarX is a free, open-source Windows utility for customizing taskbar layout and appearance. It centers taskbar icons or places them with custom offsets, and it is aimed at Windows users who want more control over positioning, spacing,…

Read the review →

Actual Multiple Monitors extends the Windows desktop across dual-, triple- or larger multi-display setups. It adds taskbars, Start menus, system trays and task switching to additional monitors, while also supporting window movement,…

Read the review →
  1. TaskbarXTaskbar Customization Software 8.8Free plan
  2. Actual Multiple MonitorsTaskbar Customization Software 7.630-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • TaskbarX — where it wins

    • Free, open source, and portable without installation or background services
    • Combines centering, offsets, animations, transparency, blur, and acrylic styles
    • Supports multi-monitor, vertical taskbars, sizing, spacing, segments, and color controls

    Where it doesn't

    • Icon centering does not work on modern Windows 11 builds
    • Primarily designed for Windows 10
    • The GitHub repository is archived and read-only

  • Actual Multiple Monitors — where it wins

    • Adds taskbars with Start, notification area, clock and toolbars per monitor
    • Supports taskbar positioning, transparency, grouping and custom groups
    • Includes profiles, window controls, wallpaper management and gaming options

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only platform support
    • No permanent free plan after the trial period
    • Broader desktop controls may exceed the needs of basic taskbar users

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