When comparing Xfce Whisker Menu vs Avant Window Navigator, the Slant community recommends Xfce Whisker Menu for most people. In the question“What are the best app launchers for UNIX-like systems?” Xfce Whisker Menu is ranked 6th while Avant Window Navigator is ranked 27th.
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Pros
Pro The most simple and convenient app launcher on my experience
Pro Built into Xfce desktop environment
Pro Tons of plugins
AWN comes with a big selections of applets such as a CPU monitor or clock or trash bin. This means one can easily turn the docks functionality into that of a taskbar. There is even an app launcher applet that will group all of ones apps in one place just like a start menu.
Pro Easily customized
There is a wide array of setting available to theming and customizing the dock.
Cons
Con Will not support file search
Limited to application launch: https://bugzilla.xfce.org/show_bug.cgi?id=11551#c2
Con Project is dead
Has not been update since 2013 and has been already pulled from many repos. While it still can be installed and works as it did in 2013, no more fixes or features are expected.