Best Seelen UI Alternatives in 2026
The top Seelen UI alternatives are Start11, Open-Shell Menu and StartIsBack: 15 start menu customization software our editors would look at instead of Seelen UI, in our ranking order.
Seelen UI: A broad, free Windows shell replacement for users who want more than Start menu tweaks. Where it falls short: windows-only, with no support for other platforms.
Switching from Seelen UI? For most start menu customization software buyers the best Seelen UI alternative is Start11, built for power users and organizations needing deep control. Open-Shell Menu has a free plan.
Why People Look for a Seelen UI Alternative
- Windows-only, with no support for other platforms
- Shell replacement changes more than Start menu behavior
- Focuses on Windows desktop customization rather than integrations
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallStart119.3
Power users and organizations needing deep control
Visit Start11 - Best free optionOpen-Shell Menu8.9
Has a free plan
Visit Open-Shell Menu
All 15 Seelen UI Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forPower users and organizations needing deep control
- Better than Seelen UI:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 9.1
A paid Windows customization tool for detailed Start menu, taskbar, search, and deployment control.
- Start button controls
- Custom search
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Start11 -
Best forUsers wanting a free classic Start menu
A flexible classic Start menu replacement with useful search and shortcut controls.
- Start button controls
- Custom search
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Open-Shell -
Best forWindows 10 users seeking affordable classic controls
A focused, low-cost way to restore classic Start and taskbar behavior on Windows 10.
- Start button controls
- Custom search
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit StartIsBack -
Best forWindows 11 users wanting extensive taskbar control
A focused Windows 11 customizer for users who want classic navigation and deep taskbar control.
- Custom search
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit StartAllBack -
Best forBudget users wanting a free Start replacement
A focused, low-cost Start replacement with useful organization tools and a free tier.
- Start button controls
- Custom search
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Start Menu X -
Best forUsers wanting a feature-rich Start replacement
A feature-rich Windows Start replacement for users who want more control over search and taskbar behavior.
- Start button controls
- Custom search
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Power8 -
Best forWindows 10 users wanting Start10 and Fences
A focused Windows 10 shell replacement for classic layouts, search, styling, and Fences integration.
- Start button controls
- Custom search
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Start10 -
Best forWindows 10 users wanting a simple paid replacement
A focused, paid classic Start Menu replacement for Windows 10.
- Start button controls
- Custom search
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Start Menu 8 -
Best forFree users needing flexible menu access
A flexible free Start-menu replacement with strong placement and appearance controls.
- Start button controls
7.9/10★★★★☆Try Start Everywhere -
Best forAdvanced users comfortable with customization mods
A flexible, open-source mod platform for deep Windows Start menu and taskbar customization.
- Custom search
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Windhawk -
Best forFree users prioritizing taskbar and Start behavior
A free, open-source choice for Windows users prioritizing taskbar control.
7.7/10★★★★☆Try ExplorerPatcher -
Best forMinimalist ad-free shell replacement
Starling replaces the Windows shell with a clean, open-source desktop experience.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Starling -
Best forOpen-source retro-shell enthusiasts
A free, open-source Windows 95/98-style shell replacement with broad taskbar controls.
- Custom search
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Win9xplorer -
Best forFree users preferring a tile-based Start menu
A free tile-based Start menu replacement with useful search and shortcut controls.
- Start button controls
- Custom search
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit ReviverSoft -
Best forOpen-source users wanting a broader desktop shell
A free, open-source desktop environment for users who want more than Start menu changes.
- Custom search
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Cairo
Seelen UI Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Seelen UI?
Start11: #1 in our Start Menu Customization Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A paid Windows customization tool for detailed Start menu, taskbar, search, and deployment control.
Is there a free alternative to Seelen UI?
Yes. Open-Shell Menu, Start Menu X, Power8, Start Everywhere and Windhawk have a free plan or a free tier (10 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Seelen UI alternatives?
Windows-only, with no support for other platforms; Shell replacement changes more than Start menu behavior; Focuses on Windows desktop customization rather than integrations.
How do I switch from Seelen UI?
Export your data from Seelen UI (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Seelen UI.
How to Switch from Seelen UI
- Export your data from Seelen UI (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Seelen UI.
Seelen UI vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported Windows | Replacement mode | Start button controls | Custom search | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Seelen UI | Yes | Free | Both | Shell_replacement | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 1 | Start11 | No | Both | Overlay | Yes | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 2 | Open-Shell Menu | Yes | Free | Both | Shell_replacement | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 3 | StartIsBack | No | $4.99/device one-time | Windows_10 | Overlay | Yes | Yes | 8.8 |
| 4 | StartAllBack | No | Windows_11 | Yes | 8.7 | |||
| 5 | Start Menu X | Yes | Both | Overlay | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 6 | Power8 | Free | Windows_10 | Overlay | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 7 | Start10 | Windows_10 | Shell_replacement | Yes | Yes | 8.2 | ||
| 8 | Start Menu 8 | No | $7.99 one-time | Windows_10 | Shell_replacement | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
| 9 | Start Everywhere | Yes | Free | Both | Shell_replacement | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 10 | Windhawk | Free | Both | Overlay | Yes | 7.8 | ||
| 11 | ExplorerPatcher | Yes | Free | 7.7 | ||||
| 12 | Starling | Free | Both | Shell_replacement | No | 7.6 | ||
| 13 | Win9xplorer | Yes | Free | Both | Shell_replacement | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 14 | Start Menu Reviver | Yes | Free | Windows_10 | Shell_replacement | Yes | Yes | 7.4 |
| 15 | Cairo Desktop Environment | Yes | Free | Both | Shell_replacement | Yes | 7.3 |
Head-to-Head
- Seelen UI vs Start11
- Seelen UI vs Open-Shell Menu
- Seelen UI vs StartIsBack
- Seelen UI vs StartAllBack
- Seelen UI vs Start Menu X
- Seelen UI vs Power8
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update