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Head-to-head · Startup Manager Software

WhatInStartup vs Quick Startup

  • 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
Quick Startup #6 in Startup Manager Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Quick Startup

WhatInStartup leads on 0 checks, Quick Startup 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 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

On windows support, WhatInStartup gives you Other where Quick Startup offers Windows 10 and 11.

WhatInStartup is the better fit for portable startup auditing and export. Quick Startup is the better fit for simple free startup editing.

  • WhatInStartup fits best

    Portable startup auditing and export

  • Quick Startup fits best

    Simple free startup editing

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Side by side

Feature WhatInStartup 8.6/10 Visit ↗ Quick Startup 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.4
Ranking #5 in Startup Manager Software #6 in Startup Manager Software
Best for Portable startup auditing and export Simple free startup editing
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features WhatInStartup 2/4 · Quick Startup 0/4
Startup delay Not checked yet Not checked yet
Service control Not checked yet Not checked yet
Startup inspection ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Portable edition ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Windows support Other Windows 10 and 11
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.
  • Freeware with startup-entry management
  • Security risk ratings and detailed entry information
  • Enables, disables, delays, and exports startup entries
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.
  • Supports Windows rather than multiple operating systems
  • Focused on startup entries, not general PC maintenance
  • Its documented scope does not include cleanup or driver tools
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 →

Quick Startup is a free Windows utility for people who want direct control over programs that launch when a computer starts. It presents startup entries in a list, adds security risk ratings, and provides detailed information for reviewing…

Read the review →
  1. WhatInStartupStartup Manager Software 8.6Free plan
  2. Quick StartupStartup Manager Software 8.4Free 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.

  • Quick Startup — where it wins

    • Freeware with startup-entry management
    • Security risk ratings and detailed entry information
    • Enables, disables, delays, and exports startup entries

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports Windows rather than multiple operating systems
    • Focused on startup entries, not general PC maintenance
    • Its documented scope does not include cleanup or driver tools

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