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Sound Control VS Open Shell

Compare Sound Control VS Open Shell and see what are their differences

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Sound Control logo Sound Control

App-specific volume control

Open Shell logo Open Shell

Open Shell is a fork of the Classic Shell project for Windows that getting back the classic start...
  • Sound Control Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-02
  • Open Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-07

Sound Control features and specs

  • User-friendly Interface
    Sound Control features an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced users to manage audio settings.
  • Application-specific Volume Control
    Users can adjust the volume for individual applications, providing more precise control over the audio experience.
  • Audio Equalizer
    Includes a built-in audio equalizer allowing users to fine-tune sound frequencies to better fit their listening preferences.
  • Menu Bar Access
    Sound Control is conveniently accessible from the macOS menu bar, enabling quick and easy adjustments without navigating complex menus.
  • Global Hotkeys
    The software supports global hotkeys, allowing users to adjust volume and other settings without leaving their current application.

Possible disadvantages of Sound Control

  • Platform Limitation
    Sound Control is only available for macOS, excluding Windows and Linux users from utilizing its features.
  • Paid Software
    The application is not free and requires a purchase, which might be a drawback for those looking for cost-free alternatives.
  • Resource Usage
    Running Sound Control might consume additional system resources, potentially affecting performance on lower-end machines.
  • Updates and Support
    Users may encounter delays in receiving updates and support, depending on the developer’s release schedule and responsiveness.

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.

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.

Sound Control videos

+ Add

LizardSkin Sound Control Test

More videos:

  • Review - Klock Werks Dynamat Sound Control Kit Review and Install
  • Review - Get the 'Ultimate Sound Control' for Your Device

Open Shell videos

+ Add

Classic Menu for Windows 10 with Open Shell

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Sound Control and Open Shell)

Sound Control

Open Shell

Note Taking
51 51%
Note Taking
49% 49
Focus Music
100 100%
Focus Music
0% 0
LMS
0 0%
LMS
100% 100
Web Service Automation
100 100%
Web Service Automation
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Sound Control and Open Shell

Sound Control Reviews

  1. IngAjVillalon
    · CEO at Villalon Engineering ·
    Staticz Software's update system sucks

    It's been more than two months since Mac OS 15 came out, and we still don't have a functional update to be able to use it even though we have paid for the license.

    👍 Pros:    It works sometimes
    👎 Cons:    The update system sucks

Open Shell Reviews

We have no reviews of Open Shell yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Sound Control seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 23 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.

Sound Control mentions (23)

  • Detailed audio device control?
    Not sure it has those specific features but you may want to check out Sound Control. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Audio/Sound/Volume Mixer - Concept UI Art - macOS
    SoundControl is exactly this and more: https://staticz.com/soundcontrol/. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Earhive Gen3 V1E - Unable to adjust volume when paired to Macbook pro M1
    Hey, bro, I think I've found a solution: I installed the SoundControl software, enabled the "Force Soft Volume Control" option. Yay, the volume is now adjustable! Hope this helps you too! Screenshot. Source: about 2 years ago
  • No Mac support, not obvious on product page.
    I haven’t installed it yet, I’ve got a few days off and don’t want to waste the trial period. This is the one I bookmarked from the ones I found: https://staticz.com/soundcontrol/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Controlling USB-C monitor volume with keyboard keys?
    IDK whether a 3rd party software audio mixer would help; you may download a trial here: https://staticz.com/soundcontrol/. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

Open Shell mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

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

SoundSource - The sound control that should be built into MacOS

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.

Volume2 - Volume2 is an advanced Windows audio mixer, a complete replacement for the standard Volume Control.

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.

EarTrumpet - Volume Control for Windows

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.

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