Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Open Shell VS Electerm

Compare Open Shell VS Electerm and see what are their differences

Open Shell logo Open Shell

Open Shell is a fork of the Classic Shell project for Windows that getting back the classic start...

Electerm logo Electerm

electerm is a terminal/ssh/sftp client(linux, mac, win) based on electron/ssh2/node-pty/xterm/antd and many other libs
  • Open Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-07
  • Electerm Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-23

Open Shell features and specs

  • Customization
    Open Shell provides extensive customization options, allowing users to modify the Start menu to fit their preferences, from design to functionality.
  • Familiar Interface
    It offers a classic start menu which is familiar to users of older Windows versions, making it easier for them to navigate.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, it allows for community contributions, making it more transparent and potentially more secure.
  • No Cost
    Open Shell is free to use, providing a cost-effective solution for users who want a different Start menu experience without paying for software.
  • Regular Updates
    The project is fairly well-maintained, receiving updates that add new features and fix potential issues, improving user experience over time.

Possible disadvantages of Open Shell

  • Compatibility Issues
    There could be compatibility problems with certain Windows updates or third-party applications, requiring troubleshooting and fixes.
  • Learning Curve
    While it offers many customization options, new users might find the settings and customization process overwhelming and confusing initially.
  • Community Support
    As an open-source project, it relies heavily on community support rather than professional customer service, which can be a drawback for users needing prompt assistance.
  • Resource Usage
    Though generally lightweight, Open Shell can consume additional system resources, which might be impactful on less powerful machines.

Electerm features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Electerm is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible for users on different operating systems.
  • Multi-Protocol Support
    It supports multiple protocols including SSH, SFTP, and Serial, providing flexibility for connecting to different types of servers and devices.
  • Tabbed Interface
    The application allows for multiple sessions in a single window using tabs, which enhances multitasking and organization.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Electerm offers a modern and intuitive user interface, making it easy for both new and experienced users to navigate.
  • Integrated File Transfer
    With built-in SFTP support, users can easily upload and download files within the same application without needing external tools.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, the software provides transparency, and the community can contribute to its development and improvement.

Possible disadvantages of Electerm

  • Resource Intensive
    Electerm can be more resource-intensive compared to some other terminal emulators, which may affect performance on lower-end systems.
  • Limited Customization
    While it offers a range of features, the level of customization available may not meet the needs of all advanced users who prefer highly tailored setups.
  • Reliance on Electron
    Being an Electron-based application, it inherits the limitations of Electron, such as potentially larger installation sizes and performance overhead.
  • Less Mature Compared to Alternatives
    Compared to some other established terminal emulators, Electerm may lack the maturity and extensive track record, which some users prefer for stability.
  • Community Support
    As a less widespread software, the user community and available support might be limited compared to more popular terminal utilities.

Analysis of Open Shell

Overall verdict

  • Open Shell is considered a good tool for those who desire a more traditional Start Menu experience on modern Windows versions. It is reliable, versatile, and generally well-received by the community for resurrecting the familiar interface from previous Windows iterations.

Why this product is good

  • Open Shell (formerly known as Classic Shell) is appreciated for its ability to bring back the classic Start Menu functionality to Windows, particularly for users who prefer the interface design and usability of older versions of Windows. It provides a customizable menu, various skins, and additional enhancements for the Start Button, File Explorer, and Internet Explorer. The software is lightweight, free, and open source, allowing for a high degree of personalization and adaptability.

Recommended for

  • Users who prefer the classic Windows Start Menu.
  • Individuals who are not satisfied with the default Start Menu on newer Windows versions.
  • Users seeking a highly customizable and lightweight menu solution.
  • Technical users who appreciate open-source software and want to tweak their system appearance and functionality.
  • Anyone upgrading from older Windows versions who wants to maintain a consistent user interface experience.

Open Shell videos

Classic Menu for Windows 10 with Open Shell

Electerm videos

No Electerm videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Open Shell and Electerm)
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0
SSH
0 0%
100% 100
LMS
100 100%
0% 0
Server Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Open Shell and Electerm, you can also consider the following products

Fences - Keep your desktop organized with Fences. This is a simple software program that allows you to sort the tabs on your desktop and create files that are easily recognizable to you.

Konsole - Konsole is a free terminal emulator which is part of KDE Software Compilation.

Classic Shell - Classic Shell was developed for Windows 8 since that was the first version of the popular operating system to forgo the iconic Start menu.

wezterm - GPU-accelerated cross-platform terminal emulator and multiplexer made with Rust.

Start Menu X - Start Menu X with Start Button. Power users know how inconvenient and time-consuming it is to launch programs from the system menu.

superconsole - SuperConsole is a software collection based on ConEmu, MSYS2, Mintty, Zsh, Git for Windows, grml-zsh-config, Antigen and agkozak-zsh-theme projects, customized and configured for everyday use.