Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PortableApps.com VS LaunchTab

Compare PortableApps.com VS LaunchTab and see what are their differences

PortableApps.com logo PortableApps.com

PortableApps.com is a website offering many free, commonly used Windows applications that have been...

LaunchTab logo LaunchTab

LaunchTab is a freeware skinnable pop-up file launcher for Windows. Click here to get LaunchTab 2.0
  • PortableApps.com Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-02
  • LaunchTab Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-04

PortableApps.com features and specs

  • Portability
    PortableApps.com allows users to carry their software and settings on a USB drive, enabling them to work on different computers without needing to install software anew.
  • No Installation Required
    Applications from PortableApps.com do not require installation on the host machine, which simplifies software management and avoids modifying system files and settings.
  • Privacy and Security
    Since applications run from a portable drive, users can ensure their personal data and app settings are not left on public or shared computers.
  • Space Efficiency
    Many portable apps are designed to be lightweight, consuming less disk space compared to their installed counterparts.
  • Ease of Updates
    PortableApps.com offers a built-in updater that keeps all portable applications current, streamlining the maintenance process.

Possible disadvantages of PortableApps.com

  • Performance Issues
    Running applications from a USB drive can be slower compared to running them from a local hard drive, especially if the USB drive is of low quality or an older standard.
  • Compatibility Limitations
    Not all software can be made portable due to dependencies or performance requirements, limiting the selection of available portable apps.
  • Less Integration
    Portable applications may lack deep system integration, affecting some features and functionality that depend on tight coupling with the operating system.
  • Data Corruption Risk
    Using a USB drive intensively has a higher risk of data corruption or loss, especially if the drive is improperly ejected during read/write operations.
  • User Dependency
    If the portable drive is lost, damaged, or stolen, the user loses access to their applications and settings, creating a dependency on the portable medium.

LaunchTab features and specs

  • User Interface
    LaunchTab features a clean and intuitive user interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and manage their tabs efficiently.
  • Productivity
    The tool is designed to enhance productivity by allowing users to access frequently used websites and applications quickly from a single platform.
  • Customization
    LaunchTab offers customization options, enabling users to personalize their tab settings to fit their specific needs and preferences.

Possible disadvantages of LaunchTab

  • Complexity for Beginners
    While powerful, LaunchTab's advanced features may be daunting for users who are not technically inclined, leading to a steep learning curve.
  • Compatibility Issues
    There can be limitations regarding compatibility with certain devices or browsers, which can hinder the user experience.
  • Limited Updates
    As of the time the article was written, there may be concerns regarding the frequency and timeliness of updates and new features.

Analysis of PortableApps.com

Overall verdict

  • Yes, PortableApps.com is generally considered a good platform for using and managing portable software applications.

Why this product is good

  • Wide range of applications: PortableApps.com offers a large selection of applications that can be run from a USB drive without installation, making it convenient for users who switch between multiple computers.
  • No installation required: Applications on PortableApps.com do not require installation on a computer, which helps keep your system clean and clutter-free.
  • Free and open-source: Most of the software available through PortableApps.com is free and open-source, making it accessible to a broad audience.
  • Ease of use: The platform is user-friendly, with a dedicated menu and easy update capabilities, allowing users to manage their portable apps efficiently.
  • Cross-platform support: PortableApps.com supports Windows primarily, but many of the portable apps also work on Linux through Wine or on a Mac via similar tools.

Recommended for

  • Users who frequently switch between different computers and need their software accessible on a USB drive.
  • IT professionals and technicians who require a suite of tools for troubleshooting and maintenance that can be carried easily.
  • Privacy-conscious users who prefer not to leave traces of their software usage on computers they work on.
  • Individuals who want to test software without altering their main operating systemโ€™s configuration.

PortableApps.com videos

PortableApps.com Review

LaunchTab videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PortableApps.com and LaunchTab)
Note Taking
95 95%
5% 5
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100
LMS
100 100%
0% 0
AI
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, PortableApps.com seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 150 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

PortableApps.com mentions (150)

  • Ask HN: What tools do you recommend for working on Windows?
    Always put all your portable programs in the "A:\MyPC\Programs\" folder. Always put all your documents in the "A:\MyPC\Documents\" folder. Put driver files and runtime libraries in the "A:\MyPC\Install\" folder. For all three, feel free to create subfolders as needed, either per topic, per group, or however your brain envisions data trees. You can find plenty of portable windows software in the links provided... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: Recommended lightweight apps like Paint.NET, Notepad++, SumatraPDF etc.
    If I'm on windows I like portable applications. I always have: https://portableapps.com/ "Installed" and if I'm looking for a program I tend to go here: https://www.portablefreeware.com/ first. There's also sysmenu: https://www.ugmfree.it/ Which has way more programs, and let's not forget nirsoft: https://www.nirsoft.net/ Someone's already mention sysinternals. Much as I like Linux over windows, portable app have... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • I wanna switch browsers, any recommendations
    Until you can makeup your mind about a different browser, do what I normally do & check out this site: https://portableapps.com/ by utilizing this platform the ONLY software that actually gets installed to a users computer is the portableapps setup file so you can utilize the application itself. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Is there a way to package a desktop app so that it can run in "any" environment?
    I would ask over at portableapps.com. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Why do people still use VBA?
    >no software install... https://portableapps.com I think there's even a Lazarus IDE available for every company user who. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
View more

LaunchTab mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of LaunchTab yet. Tracking of LaunchTab recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing PortableApps.com and LaunchTab, you can also consider the following products

SyMenu - SyMenu is a portable menu launcher and Start Menu replacement to organize your applications quickly...

icosauve - IcoSauve saves and restores the Windows desktop according to the various resolutions used.

The Portable Freeware Collection - One of the largest collections of free, portable software on the web.

WinExtยฎ Key Launcher - WinExt Key Launcher is used to quickly open your resources by shortcut keys, you can press two keys (Ctrl+? or Alt+?) at any place of Windows to open the corresponding resource during it is running.

PStart - PStart is a simple tray tool to start user defined applications.

LaunchBar - Start with a single keyboard shortcut to access and control every aspect of your digital life. Use LaunchBar and improve your workflow now.