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Head-to-head · Startup Manager Software

WhatInStartup vs AutoRun Manager

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score WhatInStartup #5 in Startup Manager Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit WhatInStartup
AutoRun Manager #7 in Startup Manager Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Try AutoRun Manager

WhatInStartup leads on 0 checks, AutoRun Manager on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreWhatInStartup · 8.6/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresWhatInStartup · 2 of 4

WhatInStartup scores higher on our rubric for startup manager software: 8.6 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #7.

WhatInStartup is the better fit for portable startup auditing and export. AutoRun Manager is the better fit for open-source startup configuration backups.

  • WhatInStartup fits best

    Portable startup auditing and export

  • AutoRun Manager fits best

    Open-source startup configuration backups

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Side by side

Feature WhatInStartup 8.6/10 Visit ↗ AutoRun Manager 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.3
Ranking #5 in Startup Manager Software #7 in Startup Manager Software
Best for Portable startup auditing and export Open-source startup configuration backups
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features WhatInStartup 2/4 · AutoRun Manager 1/4
Startup delay Not checked yet Not checked yet
Service control Not checked yet Not checked yet
Startup inspection ✓ ✓
Portable edition ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Windows support Other Not checked yet
Startup item limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Detailed metadata includes command line, version, company, and location.
  • Permanently disables startup items that reappear.
  • Exports startup lists to text, CSV, HTML, XML, and other formats.
  • Backs up and restores startup configuration
  • Enables, disables, adds, removes, and cleans up entries
  • Records actions and errors in timestamped log files
Cons
  • Windows-only utility with dated stated support through Windows 8.
  • Focused on startup management rather than broader system administration.
  • Advanced controls may be more than casual users need.
  • Runs only on Windows
  • Requires an administrator command prompt
  • Command-line operation may not suit users seeking a graphical interface
Our verdict

WhatInStartup is a free Windows utility from NirSoft for inspecting and managing programs that load automatically at startup. It suits users who need more than a simple enabled-or-disabled list, including startup auditing, troubleshooting,…

Read the review →

AutoRun Manager is a free, open-source Windows command-line utility for inspecting and managing programs configured to run at system startup. It is aimed at users who want direct control over startup entries, particularly those who value…

Read the review →
  1. WhatInStartupStartup Manager Software 8.6Free plan
  2. AutoRun ManagerStartup Manager Software 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • WhatInStartup — where it wins

    • Detailed metadata includes command line, version, company, and location.
    • Permanently disables startup items that reappear.
    • Exports startup lists to text, CSV, HTML, XML, and other formats.

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only utility with dated stated support through Windows 8.
    • Focused on startup management rather than broader system administration.
    • Advanced controls may be more than casual users need.

  • AutoRun Manager — where it wins

    • Backs up and restores startup configuration
    • Enables, disables, adds, removes, and cleans up entries
    • Records actions and errors in timestamped log files

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs only on Windows
    • Requires an administrator command prompt
    • Command-line operation may not suit users seeking a graphical interface

More comparisons

All startup manager software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update