Boot-US vs Launchpad
Boot-US
boot-us.de
Launchpad
launchpad.netSide by side
| Figure | Boot-US | Launchpad |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 9 | 2 |
| Spec score · Boot Manager Software | 9.0 (#1) | 8.3 (#7) |
| Purpose | Boot-US is a universal boot manager for using existing operating systems independently of one another. | Launchpad is a software collaboration and hosting platform for software projects. |
| Support | The author says licensed users' questions should be answered within a working day, while answers for non-licensed users may take from a day to a week. | Launchpad provides community support through Answers and links to Launchpad Support and a user guide. |
Plans
Boot-US
- Private PC / public school useFree
- Boot-US 4.x.x · 1 PC€24.50, paid once
- Boot-US 4.x.x, 1 PC$24.50, paid once
- Boot-US 4.x.x · 5 PCs€59.50, paid once
- Boot-US 4.x.x, 5 PCs$59.50, paid once
- Boot-US 4.x.x · 20 PCs€119.50, paid once
- Boot-US 4.x.x, 20 PCs$119.50, paid once
- Boot-US 4.x.x · 100 PCs€299.50, paid once
- Boot-US 4.x.x, 100 PCs$299.50, paid once
In their own words
Boot-US
Boot-US is a boot manager for x86 machines that lets you start existing operating systems independently, including multiple separate Windows systems. It supports both BIOS and UEFI booting and works with MBR and GPT disks of any size. The package has a graphical configuration program for Windows and command-line versions for Windows and 64-bit Linux. It also includes tools to inspect partition details, hide partitions, and back up or restore disks and partitions. The site lists version 4.2.4, including a Linux 64-bit command-line version and a service for restoring UEFI variables when Windows starts or shuts down. SHA256 values are listed for that version’s downloads. The non-licensed package is free for private PCs and public schools, and can be tried for one month. Commercial use requires a license after the trial. Listed licenses are one-time payments, starting at €24.50 for one PC; some password protection functions require a version 4 license. The license page says the software is provided without warranty and used at the user’s own risk.
Launchpad
Launchpad is a free platform for open-source collaboration, with tools to build and publish software. Projects can host Git repositories, review and merge changes, and link code changes to bug reports. Bug tracking can also integrate reports from Bugzilla, Trac, GitLab, and Mantis. Teams can build and distribute Debian packages, snaps, rocks, charms, and OCI images; documented architectures include AMD64, AMD64v3, ARM, and RISC-V. Localization tools support importing, exporting, and sharing translations, while blueprints help track project ideas and work. Launchpad Answers supports community help requests and FAQs. Automation options include a REST-style API, the launchpadlib Python client, and webhooks. The platform is available through the web, Linux, API, and self-hosted options. Commercial projects can request private branches, bugs, teams, mailing lists, and PPAs, but these features require Canonical authorization. Security documentation describes least-privilege access, restrictive networking, and fine-grained permissions; it also says automatic security monitoring was not in place as of July 2023.