BootRacer vs SterJo Startup Patrol

BootRacer is Windows software for measuring and managing startup activity on Windows 10 and 11. It provides startup delay, service control, startup inspection, and restore-point tools. A startup manager is included, while junk cleanup, driver updates, and scheduled maintenance are not. BootRacer runs on Windows and lists a one-device limit for its standard single-PC plans. A free plan costs nothing and is for non-commercial use. The Premium 1 PC plan is listed at $39.95 a month with lifetime billing, while Premium 2 PC costs $59.95 a month with lifetime billing. A Premium Family License costs $99.95 a month with lifetime household use, and a Roaming License costs $99.95 a year for one computer at a time. Business and enterprise options are also listed, with enterprise prices not provided. The maker is based in Sheridan, Wyoming, USA, and was founded in 1998.

SterJo Startup Patrol is a free Windows utility that monitors startup registry locations and startup folders in real time. It alerts when a program attempts to add a startup entry, showing the program name, full path, and modified location. You can allow, disable, or delete the change from the alert. Its main window lists active entries for manual disabling, and previous decisions or permissions can be adjusted later. Additional tools include digital-signature checks, a right-click Google search for unknown entries, and a portable edition for USB use. The portable version runs without installation and is described as not modifying system files. Version 1.6 is listed at 2.2 MB and adds an alert sound for new entries. Supported Windows versions are 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP in 32- and 64-bit editions. Scheduled Tasks are outside its core monitoring. The maker says Startup Patrol is not an antivirus, though it can flag potentially suspicious startup changes.