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Head-to-head · Startup Manager Software

WhatInStartup vs StartupManager

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 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
StartupManager #8 in Startup Manager Software 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit StartupManager

WhatInStartup leads on 0 checks, StartupManager on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 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 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

WhatInStartup is the better fit for portable startup auditing and export. StartupManager is the better fit for open-source startup entry management.

  • WhatInStartup fits best

    Portable startup auditing and export

  • StartupManager fits best

    Open-source startup entry management

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Side by side

Feature WhatInStartup 8.6/10 Visit ↗ StartupManager 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.1
Ranking #5 in Startup Manager Software #8 in Startup Manager Software
Best for Portable startup auditing and export Open-source startup entry management
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Email Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features WhatInStartup 2/4 · StartupManager 1/4
Startup delay Not checked yet —
Service control 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.
  • Displays startup paths and arguments for detailed inspection
  • Manages registry, Task Scheduler, and shortcut startup entries
  • Sets priority for Task Scheduler startup programs
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.
  • Windows-only availability limits cross-platform use
  • Command-line operation may not suit users seeking a graphical interface
  • Does not provide startup-delay or service-control features
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 →

StartupManager is a free, open-source command-line utility for Windows startup management. It is designed for users who prefer command-line system administration tools and need to inspect or control programs that launch with Windows. The…

Read the review →
  1. WhatInStartupStartup Manager Software 8.6Free plan
  2. StartupManagerStartup Manager Software 8.1Free 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.

  • StartupManager — where it wins

    • Displays startup paths and arguments for detailed inspection
    • Manages registry, Task Scheduler, and shortcut startup entries
    • Sets priority for Task Scheduler startup programs

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only availability limits cross-platform use
    • Command-line operation may not suit users seeking a graphical interface
    • Does not provide startup-delay or service-control features

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