I've used Winstep Xtreme, Object Dock, Fences, Tiles, and various Start Menu replacements. In the end, I've stuck with
TrueLaunchBar. I have no compatibility issues, it's relatively cheap, and it's very configurable.
My current configuration:

The best part of that for me is that all of those folders are just folders on my hard drive. I made a folder, then several folders inside of it, then links in those. And it just works. The others are a bit more flashy and configurable, but in the end, I spent more time configuring than using- trying to get them just right. And the fact that I have access to them all the time, rather than having to go back to the desktop like Fences is a bonus too.