8start alternatives

Free 23 alternatives

Official website

8start is an application that provides a fresh, more logical way to access your programs. Instead of having folders filled with programs and groups of apps and lists of stuff, 8start displays each program as an icon on the desktop. With this application, your desktop will no more look messy and unorganized. You can create and manage buttons in a fast and easy way. Shortcuts, URL favorites, files, folders, and application links can be defined easily.

Since it is hidden in the system tray, you can transform your desktop into a place to display pictures. The main window can be customized with several themes and populated with any file or shortcut. Moreover, you can also set a mouse hotkey to select a specific function after you hiver the mouse and click on the system tray. All in all, 8start is a great tool that you can consider among its alternatives.

Ranked alternatives

1
Windows System Control CenterFree
Windows System Control Center is an application that allows you to install, update, execute and organize the utilities from various system utility suites. It includes such utilities as Network Connections Manager, Notification Shade, Real-time Protection, etc. The tool gives you full control over system security and performance supervision settings, including the ability to completely disable a service or program in one quick action.
You can also manage which applications can access your personal files, control which programs start when you log in, and much more. An optional portable version of this application is also available. Windows System Control Center provides a user-friendly interface for enabling, disabling, starting, and stopping system services and applications.
It combines the standard Windows Services with a list of third-party applications by name or by an executable file. This is achieved via a common graphical control panel, with service and application management using common controls. All in all, Windows System Control Center is a great tool that you can consider among its alternatives.
Windows System Control Center alternatives
2
SyMenuFree
SyMenu is a portable application for launching Windows start menu programs. You can use this as an alternative to the proprietary version of Start Menu in Windows. With this tool, you don’t need to find programs or go to more options to find the ones that are not listed. SyMenu automatically indexes your installed applications and quickly finds them after you start typing. It also includes special features like Autorun support and support for portable applications.
With its customization feature, you can organize all your applications in a hierarchical structure with custom names, descriptions, colorful folders, separators, and labels. Moreover, it allows to temporarily replace the normal Windows extension associations with the SyMenu custom extension associations, which helps the application to run programs more quickly. All in all, SyMenu is a great tool that you can consider among its alternatives.
SyMenu alternatives
3
PStartFree
PStart is a simple tray tool to start user-defined applications. It can be used in various ways, from finding programs to run at a startup to executing programs from its menu. The interface is very basic and has no clutter, maximizing its usability. PStart is highly configurable and can be used on a USB drive or on a hard disk. Unlike Windows shortcuts, the tool uses relative paths when installed as a portable application.
If the USB drive gets another drive letter when you insert it into another computer, your portable applications can still be started properly. This means you can also use PStart to start applications you burn to a CD. All in all, PStart is a great tool that you can consider among its alternatives.
PStart alternatives
4
ASuiteFree
ASuite is a desktop application launcher to manage files, folders, and webpage for quick access. You can create new projects and then keep all the open projects you’re currently working on. Under the list tab of the interface, you can create and manage the program list. Another tab is for searching applications you want to run. That tool indexes all the installed programs so that there is no delay in finding them on the spot. Drag and drop the application to add them into the list or manually enter the file path.
Any linked item can be organized in a hierarchical structure. Other notable features include multilingual, tray con menus, internal cache icons, recently sued apps, important list, scheduling for launching apps at a specific time, etc. All in all, ASuite is a great tool that you can consider among its alternatives.
ASuite alternatives
5
Portable Start MenuFree
Portable Start Menu offers a complete replacement to the Windows Start Menu. A great thing about this tool is that you can use it on a USB drive and don’t need to install anything on your computer. Portable Start Menu also includes a nice menu system that will let you organize your programs in a way that makes sense for you. The main purpose of the software is to allow you to group applications for easy access and organization. All in all, Portable Start Menu is a great tool that you can consider among its alternatives.
Portable Start Menu alternatives
6
FramaKeyFree
Framakey is a compilation of software for Windows, ready to use on a USB key that makes life easier for you by making it simple and fast to start up your favorite applications. The Framakey stores your favorite applications on a simple and lightweight USB device that you can plug in anywhere there is a Windows computer.
The Framakey includes a comprehensive set of applications like soft keys that allow you to start programs from anywhere on the system, including Windows Explorer and from the Start menu. All in all, Framakey is a great tool that you can consider among its alternatives.
FramaKey alternatives
7
yaPFree
yaP is an application that can launch executable programs with one click, making it easy to create portable applications on Windows. It can open .exe files with one click and allows you to add an icon to your desktop so you can launch your application easily. You can also create a shortcut of your .exe file in the Start Menu for easier access.
Moreover, you can also add portable applications by listing directories, files, registry keys, and values in an ini file. A great feature of this tool is that you can customize admin rights, multiple instances, OS versions, .NET, Java, and internet connection. There are encryption options to encrypt files with yaPcrypt. All in all, yaP is a great tool that you can consider among its alternatives.
yaP alternatives
8
WinInizio PenSuiteFree
WinInizio PenSuite is a collection of free and open-source software. The suite includes software for drawing and editing vector graphics on Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X. The programs can be run directly from a USB drive instead of installing them, which is why it’s called portable. The software is stand-alone and doesn’t require installation; each program is easily launched directly from the pen drive and accessed directly from a menu that’s similar to the Quick Launch menu in Windows. Software range from Multimedia, Internet, Network, Security, System to Utilities. All in all, WinInizio PenSuite is a great tool that you can consider among its alternatives.
WinInizio PenSuite alternatives
9
QRunFree
QRun is a simple to use application launcher tool that lets you install programs easily. You don’t need to install the tool; just extract it to the folder and use it as a portable application. That being said, you can use it from a USB too. Moreover, you can also make groups to add a certain type of applications by dragging and dropping them. Edit properties, sort them and mark favorites to keep them on top. All in all, QRun is a great tool that you can consider among its alternatives.
QRun alternatives
10
PortableAppsPaid
PortableApps is a portable application collection that is integrated into a single menu. You can use this comprehensive solution directly from the USB drive or other portable devices. It is a handy tool that allows you to install almost all the useful software into your computer, such as web browsers, email clients, install messaging solutions, etc.
It is a lightweight solution created for almost all kinds of users who want to enhance their speed and productivity. PortableApps is also known as an application launcher that also allows you to add more applications into its menu without any limit. In addition to this, the menu also includes videos, images, and music that you can use to organize your multimedia files on your portable device.
There is also a customization feature that allows you to add and remove applications into its menu freely. PortableApps is a useful solution that offers you the possibility to have the most used apps at your disposal wherever you go.
PortableApps alternatives
11
The House of PortableFree
The House of Portable is one of the best utilities that offers a variety of portables and programs without any complexity. You do not have to install software, as it will run with a single click. This software offers multiple categories, including graphics, videos, audios, internet, games, office utility, updates, and many more. It consists of different famous programs with all the best features and services.
This software offers exclusive access that allows you to use it from anywhere you want. It can also be used through removable media such as USB flash drives. All your data is stored in a subfolder that allows you to upgrade or move from the software without affecting the data. Moreover, it distinctly shows the newly added portables and old portables.
The House of Portable alternatives
12
The Portable Freeware CollectionFree
The Portable Freeware Collection is a free to use web-based application where you get almost all kind of freeware, open-source and portable applications without any cost. It contains one of the largest databases of portable and open-source software that you can freely explore to find and download software.
It comes with an easy-to-understand interface and offers multiple options to find your favorite software, such as explore its categories, use its advanced search box or explore its top bar sections. There is also has a recommendation system that suggests your software based on your search. The Portable Freeware Collection is a free website, and you can access its service anywhere around the world.
The Portable Freeware Collection alternatives
13
PendriveappsFree
Pendriveapps is a free to use web-based application that allows you to discover and download almost all kind of portable, freeware, and open-source software. The site claims it has one of the largest collections of portable software that consists of more than a hundred categories, including data recovery, bootable USB tool, password recovery, game emulators, etc. Each category has its own software that you can freely explore to find and download your own software.
Like all the other similar platforms, it also contains a complete description of each software that makes it easy to find and download the accurate software. Pendriveapps site also daily update with lots of new portable and open-source software to deliver all the latest software.
Pendriveapps alternatives
14
ThumbAppsFree
ThumbApps is a web-based solution that provides open-source and portable freeware software for Windows operating system only. The site comes as an alternative to PortableApps.com and offers almost all the core services with some new tools and features to make it better than others.
The interface of the site is quite simple and easy to use, where you can easily find and download your favorite portable software without any cost. All the software on this site are consists of several categories, and each category has its own software that you can freely explore to find and download your own favorite software. It also comes with an advanced search box where you need to enter the name of your software and hit the search button. Within a second, it will show you all the results, and you can freely choose each one without any limit.
ThumbApps alternatives
15
winPenPackFree
winPenPack is a free and open-source Windows solution that provides a huge collection of useful portable software. The solution is fully loaded with everything you need, including document handling tools, multimedia players, editor, file management, and much more. It is a lightweight tool, and you can also add more software to the solution that makes it better than others.
Once everything is unwrapped, it allows you to use its advanced launcher to access its main menu, where you can easily host all your applications without any limit. Like the other similar solutions, it also comes with a built-in search function that helps you identify the tool for a specific job. winPenPack is a comprehensive software, and you can add unlimited software to it without any limit.
winPenPack alternatives
16
KaranPCFree
KaranPC is one of the fastest-growing platforms where you can discover, find, download, and install the latest version of the software without any cost. It contains almost all kinds of software and also daily updates with lots of new software and versions that make it better than others. One of the most interesting facts about this solution is that it offers several portable solutions that make it a comprehensive solution for all kind of users.
All the software on this site area consists of several categories, including Antivirus, Multimedia, Backup and Recovery, and lots of others. Each category has its own software, and you can freely choose and download each one without any limit. KaranPC is a totally free-to-use platform, and you can access its service anywhere around the world.
KaranPC alternatives
17
PendrivelinuxFree
Pendrivelinux is a free web-based platform that offers simplified information to make it easy for everyone to install, boot, and run Linux Distro from any portable device. It is a comprehensive solution that contains almost all the leading tools and features to make it a one-stop USB bootable solution.
With the help of this solution, you can easily take your Linux operating system and run it from any computer that can boot from the USB flash device. It also allows you to bring your all favorite applications, bookmarks, emails, games, and all the other useful tools that make it better than others. Pendrivelinux is known as a very portable operating system that you can carry in your pocket.
Pendrivelinux alternatives
18
Wise HotKeyFree
Wise HotKey is a comprehensive solution that allows you to launch applications, system tools, control panel items, folders, and even website addresses using simple key combinations. It is known as a useful Windows solution that contains almost all the core services and features to make it a one-stop system utility solution.
It is known as the launcher for installed applications that allow you to easily access all your files, folders, control panels, and all the other similar platforms without any effort. There is also has a feature that allows you to freely add and remove unlimited apps into the menu that makes it better than others.
Aside from the shortcuts that are already defined, the list of the application and websites that can be added to the shortcut list while also allowing users to add new directories and apps with just a single click. Wise HotKey also comes with a GUI customization option that saves a lot of time and effort.
Wise HotKey alternatives
19
Lupo PenSuiteFree
Lupo PenSuite is a collection of portable applications that provides more than 160 programs in one suite. You don’t need to download essential software after fresh Windows installation; Lupo PenSuite has all those tools that you can translate into 28 languages. There are no viruses or spyware, and it is easy to use. Not only programs, but you also get basic games to play. You can also load a USB into a flash drive and directly load them rather than installing them. All in all, Lupo PenSuite is a great tool that you can consider among its alternatives.
Lupo PenSuite alternatives
20
ubSpawn
ubSpawn is a lightweight and simple to use program launcher tool that you can use as a Launchpad for programs on a USB drive. Add a list of applications that you frequently use, assign a custom title, icon, and launch parameters. You can add routes and links to the files or folders that you want to access from the device. The tool is especially suited for portable applications on USB drives or mobile mediums. All in all, ubSpawn is a great tool that you can consider among its alternatives.
ubSpawn alternatives
21
CodySafe
CodySafe is a software utility that allows you to store your programs on a USB drive or other external device. With this tool, you can save space on your computer and take your favorite programs with you wherever you go. Simply choose the program that you’d like to use, and it will launch just like it would if it were on your hard drive. CodySafe uses its own memory manager, so your programs can be updated without having to reboot your computer or update the program itself. All in all, CodySafe is a great tool that you can consider among its alternatives.
CodySafe alternatives
22
Prayaya V3
Prayaya V3 is one of the most versatile virtual operating systems created because it can be used for gaming, data storage, portable software development, and much more. The entire application can be used from a USB device by directly booting into the memory. Each application you run is independently operating on a separate system and not into the Windows memory. All the settings will be saved in the virtual system, and no trace will be left on the host system. All in all, Prayaya V3 is a great tool that you can consider among its alternatives.
Prayaya V3 alternatives
23
Port-Able Apps SuiteFree
Port-Able Apps Suite is an accessible and easy to use portable software menu or application management system created for Windows operating systems. It is a multi-language collection of portable solution that integrated into a single menu which you can use to run directly from your USE drive or any other portable devices.
It contains a huge collection of all use solutions, including web-browser, music player, file management tools, and lots of others. The best thing is that you have every one of the software at your disposal, without having to install each one separately. It provides the main menu representing the main Window and acts as an app launcher, where you can access all your applications.
The solution also contains Videos, Images, and Music folders that you can use to organize your multimedia files with ease. Port-Able Apps Suite is free to use the software, and you can access its service without any limit.
Port-Able Apps Suite alternatives