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Alternatives · Utilities

Open-Shell alternatives

As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded Open-Shell alternative is Everything (2.8 GPA). It's also the best free one.

Open-Shell compared with 5 alternatives: StartAllBack, Fences, Microsoft PowerToys, Everything and Windhawk.

Open-Shell is free to use. 3 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.

Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Open-ShellThis toolFreeFreeWindows
StartAllBackFree trial · from $4.99 one-timeTrial onlyWindows
FencesFree trial · from $9.99/yrTrial onlyWindows
Microsoft PowerToysFreeFreeWindows
EverythingFreeFreeWindows
WindhawkFreeFreeWindows

Price against what you get

Open-Shell has no paid plan and scores 2.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 2 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

D1.0C2.0B3.0A4.0Free$0.5$1$2$5$10$20$50$100More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessOpen-ShellEverythingWindhawk

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

  • The best score at each price
  • Has a free plan
  • No free plan
The full chart of desktop utilities, and the best at every price

How each one differs from Open-Shell

  1. StartAllBack

    Windows 11 taskbar, Start menu and Explorer restyling tool

    • StartAllBack starts at $4.99 one-time for a personal license.
    • StartAllBack has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike Open-Shell.
    • StartAllBack can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • StartAllBack also covers menu bar app.
    • StartAllBack does not cover launcher, which Open-Shell does.

    Suits: Windows 11 users who miss the older taskbar and Start menu

    StartAllBack vs Open-ShellStartAllBack pricing and details

  2. Fences

    Windows desktop organizer that groups icons into shaded areas

    • Fences starts at $9.99 per year (Single, 1 Year Subscription).
    • Fences has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike Open-Shell.
    • Fences can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Fences also covers file management.
    • Fences does not cover launcher, which Open-Shell does.

    Suits: Windows users whose desktop is crowded with shortcuts and files

    Fences vs Open-ShellFences pricing and details

  3. Microsoft PowerToys

    Free Microsoft utilities for customizing Windows 10 and 11

    • Microsoft PowerToys is free.
    • Microsoft PowerToys also covers window management, file management and keyboard and mouse remapping.

    Suits: Windows users who want window layouts, a launcher and key remapping from one free install

    Microsoft PowerToys vs Open-ShellMicrosoft PowerToys pricing and details

  4. Everything

    Instant file and folder name search for Windows

    • Everything is free.
    • Everything also covers file management.
    • Everything does not cover launcher, which Open-Shell does.

    Suits: Windows users who want to find files and folders by name as they type

    Everything vs Open-ShellEverything pricing and details

  5. Windhawk

    Mod marketplace for customizing Windows programs and the shell

    • Windhawk is free.
    • Windhawk also covers window management.
    • Windhawk does not cover launcher, which Open-Shell does.

    Suits: Windows users who want to change taskbar or Start menu behavior

    Windhawk vs Open-ShellWindhawk pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Open-Shell

  • Windows only. The classic copy dialog applies to Windows 7 alone.
  • The GitHub page warns against installing versions older than 4.4.196 on Windows for ARM, because login can fail after a reboot.
  • Support is through GitHub issues, Discussions, Gitter and Discord rather than a vendor help desk.
Open-Shell pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Open-Shell?

The alternatives to Open-Shell in this directory are StartAllBack, Fences, Microsoft PowerToys, Everything and Windhawk. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Open-Shell.

Is there a free alternative to Open-Shell?

Yes. Microsoft PowerToys, Everything and Windhawk are free to use.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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