Best WhatInStartup Alternatives in 2026
The top WhatInStartup alternatives are Autoruns, Autorun Organizer and HiBit Startup Manager: 15 startup manager software our editors would look at instead of WhatInStartup, in our ranking order.
WhatInStartup: A free, detailed startup manager with portable operation and extensive export options. Where it falls short: windows-only utility with dated stated support through windows 8..
Switching from WhatInStartup? For most startup manager software buyers the best WhatInStartup alternative is Autoruns, built for deep Windows startup inspection.
Why People Look for a WhatInStartup Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallAutoruns9.4
Deep Windows startup inspection
Visit Autoruns - Best free optionAutoruns9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Autoruns
All 15 WhatInStartup 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 forDeep Windows startup inspection
- Better than WhatInStartup:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.6
A free, detailed Windows tool for auditing and controlling startup activity.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Autoruns -
Best forBroad startup control and boot optimization
- Better than WhatInStartup:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.6
A broad, free Windows utility for controlling startup entries, delays, services, and scheduled tasks.
- Startup delay
- Startup inspection
- Service control
9.2/10★★★★★Visit product page -
Best forFree all-around startup management
- Better than WhatInStartup:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.6
A free Windows utility combining startup control, monitoring, delays, and system management.
- Startup delay
- Portable edition
- Startup inspection
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit HiBitSoftware -
Best forBoot-time measurement and optimization
- Better than WhatInStartup:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.6
A focused Windows utility for measuring boot slowdowns and managing startup behavior.
- Startup delay
- Startup inspection
- Service control
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit BootRacer -
Best forSimple free startup editing
A focused, free Windows tool for reviewing and controlling startup entries.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Quick Startup -
Best forOpen-source startup configuration backups
A free, open-source command-line tool for backing up and managing Windows startup entries.
- Startup inspection
8.3/10★★★★☆Try AutoRun Manager -
Best forOpen-source startup entry management
A free, open-source Windows utility for inspecting and controlling startup entries.
- Startup inspection
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit StartupManager -
Best forReal-time startup change monitoring
A portable Windows utility for real-time startup alerts and entry control.
- Portable edition
- Startup inspection
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forPaid startup blocking and delays
A focused Windows startup manager with paid blocking, filtering, delays, and backups.
- Startup delay
- Startup inspection
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit StartupStar -
Best forFocused registry and folder startup control
A focused, free startup manager for Windows registry keys and startup folders.
- Startup inspection
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit ZStartup -
Best forReliable application startup as Windows services
A focused Windows service manager for keeping background applications running reliably.
- Startup delay
- Service control
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit AlwaysUp -
Best forProfessional application-to-service startup
A focused Windows service manager for automatic starts, monitoring, recovery, and control.
- Startup delay
- Startup inspection
- Service control
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit FireDaemon -
Best forOpen-source service-based application startup
A focused Windows service wrapper for developers and administrators deploying background applications.
- Startup delay
- Service control
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit WinSW -
Best forCommand-line service startup automation
A free, service-focused choice for running Windows applications reliably.
- Service control
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit NSSM -
Best forAdvanced Windows service administration
A free Windows utility for detailed service control, monitoring, and remote administration.
- Startup inspection
- Service control
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Service+
WhatInStartup Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to WhatInStartup?
Autoruns: #1 in our Startup Manager Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A free, detailed Windows tool for auditing and controlling startup activity.
Is there a free alternative to WhatInStartup?
Yes. Autoruns, Autorun Organizer, HiBit Startup Manager, BootRacer and Quick Startup have a free plan or a free tier (12 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for WhatInStartup alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from WhatInStartup?
Export your data from WhatInStartup (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 WhatInStartup.
How to Switch from WhatInStartup
- Export your data from WhatInStartup (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 WhatInStartup.
WhatInStartup vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Startup delay | Service control | Startup inspection | Windows support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | WhatInStartup | Yes | Free | Yes | Other | 8.6 | ||
| 1 | Autoruns | Yes | Free | 9.4 | ||||
| 2 | Autorun Organizer | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows 7 to 11 | 9.2 |
| 3 | HiBit Startup Manager | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows 7 to 11 | 9.0 |
| 4 | BootRacer | Yes | $99.95/device/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows 7 to 11 | 8.8 |
| 5 | Quick Startup | Yes | Free | Windows 10 and 11 | 8.4 | |||
| 6 | AutoRun Manager | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.3 | |||
| 7 | StartupManager | Yes | Free | No | No | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 8 | SterJo Startup Patrol | Yes | Free | Yes | Other | 7.9 | ||
| 9 | StartupStar | No | €29.95 one-time | Yes | Yes | Windows 7 to 11 | 7.8 | |
| 10 | ZStartup | Yes | Free | Yes | Windows 10 and 11 | 7.7 | ||
| 11 | AlwaysUp | No | $37.49/device one-time | Yes | Yes | Windows 10 and 11 | 7.6 | |
| 12 | FireDaemon Pro | No | $75/device one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows 7 to 11 | 7.5 |
| 13 | WinSW | Free | Yes | Yes | Other | 7.4 | ||
| 14 | NSSM | Free | No | Yes | Other | 7.3 | ||
| 15 | Service+ | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Windows 7 to 11 | 7.2 |
Head-to-Head
- WhatInStartup vs Autoruns
- WhatInStartup vs Autorun Organizer
- WhatInStartup vs HiBit Startup Manager
- WhatInStartup vs BootRacer
- WhatInStartup vs Quick Startup
- WhatInStartup vs AutoRun Manager
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update