Best Start Menu Customization Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Seelen UI is ranked #1 of 36 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Launchy and Open-Shell Menu. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Launchy.
Changing how you find and open apps can make Start menu customization tools worth comparing on more than appearance. Look at replacement mode, custom search, saved profiles, Start button controls, and taskbar controls to see which approaches match the desktop changes you want. Supported Windows versions help you check compatibility, while the free-plan and paid-from details add cost context. Launchy, Parkdale, and IObit Uninstaller are among the named options to examine against those criteria. Consider which controls matter in your everyday use and whether you want search, profiles, or changes to the menu and taskbar; the listed features help frame that comparison.
36 start menu customization software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Seelen UI No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.3Free Supported Windows: bothReplacement mode: shell_replacementStart button controls: Yes
- 2 Launchy Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.3Free
- 3 Open-Shell Menu No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.2Free Supported Windows: bothReplacement mode: shell_replacementStart button controls: Yes
- 4 Start Menu X No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.0Free Supported Windows: bothReplacement mode: overlayStart button controls: Yes
- 5 ExplorerPatcher No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.5Free
- 6 Start Menu Reviver No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.5Free Supported Windows: windows_10Replacement mode: shell_replacementStart button controls: Yes
- 7 StartIsBack No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.4 Supported Windows: windows_10Replacement mode: overlayStart button controls: Yes
- 8 Cairo Desktop Environment No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.4Free Supported Windows: bothReplacement mode: shell_replacement
- 9 ViStart No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3Free Supported Windows: bothStart button controls: Yes
- 10 Power8 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0 Supported Windows: windows_10Replacement mode: overlayStart button controls: Yes
- 11 Keypirinha No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0Free
- 12 Starling No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.9 Supported Windows: bothReplacement mode: shell_replacement
- 13 Start Menu 8 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8 Supported Windows: windows_10Replacement mode: shell_replacementStart button controls: Yes
- 14 Start Everywhere No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8 Supported Windows: bothReplacement mode: shell_replacementStart button controls: Yes
- 15 StartAllBack No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7 Supported Windows: windows_11
- 16 Fluent Search No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7Free Supported Windows: bothReplacement mode: launcher
- 17 Windhawk No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6 Supported Windows: bothReplacement mode: overlay
- 18 Listary No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6Free Supported Windows: bothReplacement mode: launcher
- 19 Win9xplorer No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.5 Supported Windows: bothReplacement mode: shell_replacement
- 20 PExplorer No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2 Supported Windows: windows_10Replacement mode: shell_replacement
- 21 Wox No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2
- 22 SystemTrayMenu No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1Free Supported Windows: bothReplacement mode: launcherStart button controls: No
- 23 My Start Menu No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.0 Supported Windows: bothReplacement mode: overlayStart button controls: No
- 24 SbieShell No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.0 Replacement mode: shell_replacement
- 25 Portable Start Menu No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.0 Supported Windows: bothReplacement mode: launcher
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which start menu customization software is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Seelen UI is ranked #1 of 36 with a score of 8.3. Launchy is second and Open-Shell Menu third.
How many of these have a free plan?
12 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.