What are the best Windows 8/8.1 start menu replacements?

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5

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Considered

22

User
Recs.

Jun 20, 2022

Last
Updated

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5 Options Considered

Best Windows 8/8.1 start menu replacements	Price	Last Updated
-- Pokki	FREE	Jun 9, 2022
-- StartIsBack	-	Jun 20, 2022
-- Labrys Start Menu	0	Aug 15, 2021
-- ViStart	FREE	Dec 15, 2018
-- IObit Start Menu 8	-	Jul 5, 2020

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score 11 · Answer 1

Pokki

Top Pro

Brings back older features

Pins, most used apps and program groups in one click. See More

Top Con

Not many apps in the app store

Unfortunately, there is a small selection of apps in Pokki's app store, and many of them fail to provide a unique experience. They look just like browser windows. See More

Top Pro

Not fullscreen

Brings back a partial screen overlay menu like it used to be (or is in Win 10). See More

Top Con

Apps from Pokki's own store are pushed too hard on the user

Pokki replaces Windows Store with its own, and Pokki's Store apps are highlighted in the start menu, even if you don't want to install them. See More

Top Pro

Original layout

It doesn't look anything like any Windows Start Menu. It has an aesthetic and functionality of its own. If you want a menu replacement with a clean look, and that can even be used on Windows XP, Pokki is for you. See More

Top Con

A bit hard to get used to

Some people will need a period of adjustment to this new layout. See More

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score 5 · Answer 2

StartIsBack

Top Pro

Easy to use

Top Con

30 days Trial

MightyHineNuiTePo's Experience

It looks exactly windows 7 menu start See More

Top Pro

Fast Speed

ShojiVR's Experience

Currently the best start menu replacement, sadly it is commercial but if there is free alternative with same features then will uninstall this one and install the alternative. See More

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score 3 · Answer 3

Labrys Start Menu

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score 1 · Answer 4

ViStart

Top Pro

It resembles the Windows 7 Start Menu

If you missed it, then you will love it. See More

Top Con

Lack of real innovation

It is VERY similar to Windows 7 Start Menu. For some people, it can be too classic for their taste. See More

Top Pro

You can use custom menu skins

See All

score 1 · Answer 5

IObit Start Menu 8

Top Con

Start menu didn’t hide itself when running fullscreen games

Top Con

30 Days Trial

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What are the best Windows 8/8.1 start menu replacements?

5 Options Considered

Pokki

My Recommendation for Pokki

My Recommendation for Pokki

Brings back older features

Not many apps in the app store

Not fullscreen

Apps from Pokki's own store are pushed too hard on the user

Original layout

A bit hard to get used to

StartIsBack

My Recommendation for StartIsBack

My Recommendation for StartIsBack

Easy to use

30 days Trial

Fast Speed

Labrys Start Menu

My Recommendation for Labrys Start Menu

My Recommendation for Labrys Start Menu

ViStart

My Recommendation for ViStart

My Recommendation for ViStart

It resembles the Windows 7 Start Menu

Lack of real innovation

You can use custom menu skins

IObit Start Menu 8

My Recommendation for IObit Start Menu 8

My Recommendation for IObit Start Menu 8

Start menu didn’t hide itself when running fullscreen games

30 Days Trial

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