Best Start Menu X Alternatives in 2026
The top Start Menu X alternatives are Start11, Seelen UI and Open-Shell Menu: 15 start menu customization software our editors would look at instead of Start Menu X, in our ranking order.
Start Menu X: A focused, low-cost Start replacement with useful organization tools and a free tier. Where it falls short: available only on windows.
Switching from Start Menu X? For most start menu customization software buyers the best Start Menu X alternative is Start11, built for power users and organizations needing deep control. Seelen UI has a free plan.
Why People Look for a Start Menu X Alternative
- Available only on Windows
- Several structural and launch features require the PRO tier
- The multi-PC license is a separate purchase for two or more PCs
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallStart119.3
Power users and organizations needing deep control
Visit Start11 - Best free optionSeelen UI9.1
Has a free plan
Visit Seelen UI
All 15 Start Menu X 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.
-
Best forPower users and organizations needing deep control
- Better than Start Menu X:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.5
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 forFree users wanting broad Windows customization
- Better than Start Menu X:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.5
A broad, free Windows shell replacement for users who want more than Start menu tweaks.
- Start button controls
- Custom search
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Seelen UI -
Best forUsers wanting a free classic Start menu
- Better than Start Menu X:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.5
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
- Better than Start Menu X:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.5
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
- Better than Start Menu X:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 8.5
A focused Windows 11 customizer for users who want classic navigation and deep taskbar control.
- Custom search
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit StartAllBack -
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
Start Menu X Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Start Menu X?
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 Start Menu X?
Yes. Seelen UI, Open-Shell Menu, 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 Start Menu X alternatives?
Available only on Windows; Several structural and launch features require the PRO tier; The multi-PC license is a separate purchase for two or more PCs.
How do I switch from Start Menu X?
Export your data from Start Menu X (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 Start Menu X.
How to Switch from Start Menu X
- Export your data from Start Menu X (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 Start Menu X.
Start Menu X vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported Windows | Replacement mode | Start button controls | Custom search | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Start Menu X | Yes | Both | Overlay | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 1 | Start11 | No | Both | Overlay | Yes | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 2 | Seelen UI | Yes | Free | Both | Shell_replacement | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 3 | Open-Shell Menu | Yes | Free | Both | Shell_replacement | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 4 | StartIsBack | No | $4.99/device one-time | Windows_10 | Overlay | Yes | Yes | 8.8 |
| 5 | StartAllBack | No | Windows_11 | Yes | 8.7 | |||
| 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
- Start Menu X vs Start11
- Start Menu X vs Seelen UI
- Start Menu X vs Open-Shell Menu
- Start Menu X vs StartIsBack
- Start Menu X vs StartAllBack
- Start Menu X vs Power8
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update