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Best Taskbar Groups Alternatives in 2026

Free#14 of 34 in Taskbar Customization Software

The top Taskbar Groups alternatives are ObjectDock, TaskbarX and YASB Reborn: 15 taskbar customization software our editors would look at instead of Taskbar Groups, in our ranking order.

7.2/10Editor score
Taskbar Groups7.2 Visit Taskbar Groups

Taskbar Groups: A free, portable Windows tool for grouping and launching taskbar shortcuts. Where it falls short: windows-only, with no support for other platforms.

Switching from Taskbar Groups? For most taskbar customization software buyers the best Taskbar Groups alternative is ObjectDock, built for established dock and taskbar replacement features. TaskbarX has a free plan.

Why People Look for a Taskbar Groups Alternative

  • Windows-only, with no support for other platforms
  • Focused on shortcut organization rather than full taskbar replacement
  • Requires configuring groups and shortcut settings to fit each workflow

Quick Picks by What You Need

All 15 Taskbar Groups 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.

  1. Best forEstablished dock and taskbar replacement features

    • Better than Taskbar Groups:
    • Editor score 9.2 vs 7.2

    A feature-rich Windows dock replacement with strong customization and multi-monitor support.

    • App grouping controls
    • Taskbar sizing
    • Transparency controls
    9.2/10★★★★★
    Visit ObjectDock
  2. TaskbarX

    Best forPortable taskbar centering and visual effects

    • Better than Taskbar Groups:
    • Editor score 8.8 vs 7.2

    A free, portable Windows 10 taskbar customizer with limited modern Windows 11 support.

    • Portable version
    • Taskbar sizing
    • Taskbar positioning
    8.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit TaskbarX
  3. Best forPower users wanting configurable taskbar bars

    • Better than Taskbar Groups:
    • Editor score 8.6 vs 7.2

    A flexible Windows taskbar replacement for users comfortable with deep customization.

    • App grouping controls
    • Taskbar sizing
    • Taskbar positioning
    8.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit YASB Reborn
  4. Best forOpen-source Windows taskbar replacement

    • Better than Taskbar Groups:
    • Editor score 8.4 vs 7.2

    A broad, free taskbar replacement for Windows users who want legacy controls.

    • App grouping controls
    • Taskbar sizing
    • Taskbar positioning
    8.4/10★★★★☆
    Try ExplorerPatcher
  5. Best forFree taskbar transparency and appearance rules

    • Better than Taskbar Groups:
    • Editor score 8.2 vs 7.2

    A focused, free Windows utility for taskbar transparency and appearance rules.

    • Portable version
    • Transparency controls
    8.2/10★★★★☆
    Visit TranslucentTB
  6. Start11

    Best forStart menu and taskbar customization together

    • Better than Taskbar Groups:
    • Editor score 8.1 vs 7.2

    Start11 pairs flexible Start menu layouts with extensive Windows taskbar controls.

    8.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit Start11
  7. Best forWindows users wanting a customizable dock

    • Better than Taskbar Groups:
    • Editor score 7.9 vs 7.2

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

    • App grouping controls
    • Taskbar sizing
    • Taskbar positioning
    Free plan · 30-day trial Our Winstep Nexus Dock verdict → Visit Winstep
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit Winstep
  8. Best forWindows-wide visual skin customization

    • Better than Taskbar Groups:
    • Editor score 7.8 vs 7.2

    A broad Windows visual customization suite with capable taskbar controls.

    • Transparency controls
    7.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit WindowBlinds
  9. Best forFree, advanced per-app taskbar customization

    • Better than Taskbar Groups:
    • Editor score 7.7 vs 7.2

    A free, open-source utility for detailed per-app taskbar control on Windows.

    • App grouping controls
    • Portable version
    • Taskbar sizing
    7.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit site
  10. Best forPowerful multi-monitor taskbar management

    • Better than Taskbar Groups:
    • Editor score 7.6 vs 7.2

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

    • App grouping controls
    • Taskbar sizing
    • Taskbar positioning
    7.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit Actual Tools
  11. RetroBar

    Best forClassic taskbar layouts across multiple monitors

    • Better than Taskbar Groups:
    • Editor score 7.5 vs 7.2

    A free, open-source taskbar replacement for classic layouts and multi-monitor setups.

    • Portable version
    • Taskbar sizing
    • Taskbar positioning
    7.5/10★★★★☆
    Visit RetroBar
  12. Winzoo

    Best forA full open-source custom taskbar

    • Better than Taskbar Groups:
    • Editor score 7.4 vs 7.2

    Winzoo offers broad taskbar control for Windows users who want an open-source replacement.

    • Portable version
    • Taskbar positioning
    • Multi-monitor support
    7.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit Winzoo
  13. Best forAnimated and highly visual taskbar styling

    • Better than Taskbar Groups:
    • Editor score 7.3 vs 7.2

    A free, open-source choice for highly visual Windows taskbar customization.

    • Portable version
    • Taskbar positioning
    • Transparency controls
    7.3/10★★★★☆
    Visit RainbowTaskbar
  14. GroDock

    Best forA dock-style taskbar replacement

    A feature-rich dock replacement for Windows 11 with a seven-day full-featured trial.

    • App grouping controls
    • Taskbar positioning
    • Transparency controls
    7-day trial Our GroDock verdict → Visit GroDock
    7.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit GroDock
  15. TaskbarXI

    Best forTurning Windows 11 into a dock

    A focused, free, open-source option for dock-style Windows 11 customization.

    • Taskbar positioning
    • Multi-monitor support
    7.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit TaskbarXI

Taskbar Groups Alternatives: Common Questions

What is the best alternative to Taskbar Groups?

ObjectDock: #1 in our Taskbar Customization Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A feature-rich Windows dock replacement with strong customization and multi-monitor support.

Is there a free alternative to Taskbar Groups?

Yes. TaskbarX, YASB Reborn, ExplorerPatcher, TranslucentTB and Winstep Nexus Dock have a free plan or a free tier (10 of the 15 alternatives on this page).

Why do people look for Taskbar Groups alternatives?

Windows-only, with no support for other platforms; Focused on shortcut organization rather than full taskbar replacement; Requires configuring groups and shortcut settings to fit each workflow.

How do I switch from Taskbar Groups?

Export your data from Taskbar Groups (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 Taskbar Groups.

How to Switch from Taskbar Groups

  1. Export your data from Taskbar Groups (most tools have an export in their settings).
  2. Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
  3. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
  4. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Taskbar Groups.

Taskbar Groups vs Each Alternative

#ToolFree planPaid fromPlatformTaskbar positioningTransparency controlsMulti-monitor supportScore
14Taskbar GroupsYesFreeWindowsYesYesYes7.2
1ObjectDockWindowsYesYes9.2
2TaskbarXYesFreeWindowsYesYesYes8.8
3YASB RebornYesFreeWindowsYesYesYes8.6
4ExplorerPatcherYesFreeWindowsYesYes8.4
5TranslucentTBYesFreeWindowsYes8.2
6Start11No8.1
7Winstep Nexus DockYes$12.95/user one-timeWindowsYesYesYes7.9
8WindowBlindsNoWindowsYes7.8
97+ Taskbar TweakerYesFreeWindowsYes7.7
10Actual Multiple MonitorsNo$34.95 one-timeWindowsYesYesYes7.6
11RetroBarYesFreeWindowsYesYesYes7.5
12WinzooYesFreeWindowsYesYes7.4
13RainbowTaskbarYesFreeWindowsYesYesYes7.3
14GroDockNoWindowsYesYesYes7.1
15TaskbarXIYesFreeWindowsYesYes7.0

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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