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Head-to-head · Taskbar Customization Software

TaskbarX vs Taskbar Groups

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 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
Taskbar Groups #14 in Taskbar Customization Software 7.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Visit Taskbar Groups

TaskbarX leads on 0 checks, Taskbar Groups on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 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 planboth
  • Most featuresTaskbarX · 5 of 6

TaskbarX scores higher on our rubric for taskbar customization software: 8.8 against 7.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #14.

TaskbarX is the better fit for portable taskbar centering and visual effects. Taskbar Groups is the better fit for organizing taskbar shortcuts into launch groups.

  • TaskbarX fits best

    Portable taskbar centering and visual effects

  • Taskbar Groups fits best

    Organizing taskbar shortcuts into launch groups

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Side by side

Feature TaskbarX 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Taskbar Groups 7.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 7.2
Ranking #2 in Taskbar Customization Software #14 in Taskbar Customization Software
Best for Portable taskbar centering and visual effects Organizing taskbar shortcuts into launch groups
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Community Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features TaskbarX 5/6 · Taskbar Groups 4/6
Taskbar positioning ✓ ✓
Transparency controls ✓ ✓
App grouping controls Not checked yet Not checked yet
Multi-monitor support ✓ ✓
Taskbar sizing ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Portable version ✓ ✓
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
  • Groups executables, folders, Store apps, and Steam applications
  • Custom icons, colors, opacity, and launch behavior settings
  • Supports multiple monitors and vertical or top taskbars
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, with no support for other platforms
  • Focused on shortcut organization rather than full taskbar replacement
  • Requires configuring groups and shortcut settings to fit each workflow
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 →

Taskbar Groups is a lightweight, open-source Windows utility for organizing application shortcuts into named groups that can be pinned to the taskbar. It is aimed at people who want a cleaner way to arrange frequently opened programs,…

Read the review →
  1. TaskbarXTaskbar Customization Software 8.8Free plan
  2. Taskbar GroupsTaskbar Customization Software 7.2Free plan

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

  • Taskbar Groups — where it wins

    • Groups executables, folders, Store apps, and Steam applications
    • Custom icons, colors, opacity, and launch behavior settings
    • Supports multiple monitors and vertical or top taskbars

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only, with no support for other platforms
    • Focused on shortcut organization rather than full taskbar replacement
    • Requires configuring groups and shortcut settings to fit each workflow

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