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Head-to-head · Taskbar Customization Software

Winstep Nexus Dock vs Actual Multiple Monitors

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Winstep Nexus Dock #7 in Taskbar Customization Software 7.9/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Winstep
Actual Multiple Monitors #10 in Taskbar Customization Software 7.6/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Actual Tools

Winstep Nexus Dock leads on 1 check, Actual Multiple Monitors on 0, and 5 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 scoreWinstep Nexus Dock · 7.9/10
  • Free planonly Winstep Nexus Dock
  • Free trialboth

Winstep Nexus Dock scores higher on our rubric for taskbar customization software: 7.9 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #10.

Winstep Nexus Dock offers free plan; Actual Multiple Monitors doesn't.

Winstep Nexus Dock is the better fit for windows users wanting a customizable dock. Actual Multiple Monitors is the better fit for powerful multi-monitor taskbar management.

  • Winstep Nexus Dock fits best

    Windows users wanting a customizable dock

  • Actual Multiple Monitors fits best

    Powerful multi-monitor taskbar management

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Side by side

Feature Winstep Nexus Dock 7.9/10 Visit ↗ Actual Multiple Monitors 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.9 7.6
Ranking #7 in Taskbar Customization Software #10 in Taskbar Customization Software
Best for Windows users wanting a customizable dock Powerful multi-monitor taskbar management
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $12.95/user one-time $34.95 one-time
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 30 days 30 days
Free trial length 30 days 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Winstep Nexus Dock 5/6 · Actual Multiple Monitors 5/6
Taskbar positioning ✓ ✓
Transparency controls ✓ ✓
App grouping controls ✓ ✓
Multi-monitor support ✓ ✓
Taskbar sizing ✓ ✓
Portable version Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Platform Windows Windows
Our review
Pros
  • Free tier includes launching, hiding, grouping, and multi-monitor support
  • System-tray integration, task controls, and screen-edge positioning
  • Modules, themes, transparency, sizing, and per-monitor DPI support
  • 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
  • Focused on dock customization rather than native taskbar editing
  • Nexus Free is limited to one dock
  • Windows-only, with no open-source edition
  • 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

Winstep Nexus Dock is a Windows desktop dock for launching applications, files, folders, documents, URLs, and commands. It is aimed at users who want to supplement or replace parts of the Windows taskbar with a more configurable launcher.…

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. Winstep Nexus DockTaskbar Customization Software 7.9Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. Actual Multiple MonitorsTaskbar Customization Software 7.630-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Winstep Nexus Dock — where it wins

    • Free tier includes launching, hiding, grouping, and multi-monitor support
    • System-tray integration, task controls, and screen-edge positioning
    • Modules, themes, transparency, sizing, and per-monitor DPI support

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on dock customization rather than native taskbar editing
    • Nexus Free is limited to one dock
    • Windows-only, with no open-source edition
  • 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
  • Winstep Nexus Dock7.9/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A feature-rich Windows dock with a capable free tier and expanded paid editions.

    Visit WinstepFull verdict →
  • Actual Multiple Monitors7.6/10 · 30-day trial

    A feature-rich Windows utility for managing taskbars and desktops across multiple monitors.

    Visit Actual ToolsFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update