NotchStar vs NotchBar

NotchBar is a pre release AGPL 3.0 widget bar with media playback, system monitor and active app widgets; NotchStar is a $4 toolbox of ten tools.

Checked 4 November 2026

Feature comparison between NotchStar and NotchBar
NotchStarNotchBar
Main job Ten everyday tools in the notch, plus a Screenshot Tray A widget bar in the notch; its README says more widgets are coming
Price $4 once, with a 7 day trial, up to 3 Macs and a 7 day refund Price not stated for the app; the source is AGPL 3.0
Minimum macOS macOS 14 or later, Apple silicon and Intel macOS 14.5; Apple silicon and Intel support is not stated
License Closed source AGPL 3.0
Latest release 1.0.5, 12 October 2026 0.0.3.2, marked pre release, 22 January with no year shown
Account No account No account required
Now playing Included Included A Media Playback widget with artwork, artist, track and controls
System stats Included CPU, memory, disk, battery, network Included A System Monitor widget for CPU, memory, storage, battery and network
Active app widget Not listed Included
Clipboard history Included 50 items, kept in memory only, skips concealed copies Not listed Not mentioned on the page we read
File shelf and AirDrop Included Not listed Not mentioned on the page we read
Calendar, timers, teleprompter, camera mirror Included Not listed Not mentioned on the page we read
Screenshots Included A tray that holds the latest 12 screenshots Not listed Not mentioned on the page we read

Sources: NotchBar on GitHub (checked 4 November 2026), NotchBar releases (checked 4 November 2026). “Not listed” means the source does not mention it, which is not proof the feature is missing. Prices and features change, so check before you buy.

NotchBar at a glance.

Made by
navtoj, a GitHub handle
Who it suits
A developer who wants a free open source widget bar in the notch.
Price
Free. Price not stated for the app. The source is licensed AGPL 3.0.
Needs
macOS 14.5 or later. Not stated.
License
AGPL 3.0
Release history
Not stated. The newest release is marked pre release.. Latest listed: 0.0.3.2 (pre release), 22 January, year not shown. Source

NotchBar is one of the 62 apps counted in our pricing statistics and requirements statistics.

Strengths

  • A System Monitor widget shows CPU, memory, storage, battery and network.
  • A Media Playback widget shows artwork, artist, track and controls.
  • An Active App widget, and AGPL 3.0 source you can read.

Limits

  • The newest release is a 0.0.x pre release.
  • It has few widgets, and its README says more are coming.
  • Its README footnotes mention a Gatekeeper popup.
  • Its page does not say whether it runs on Intel Macs.

Choose NotchBar if…

  • You want to read and modify the source of a notch widget bar under AGPL 3.0.
  • Media playback, a system monitor and an active app widget cover what you need, and you accept a 0.0.x pre release.
  • You are happy with a Gatekeeper prompt, which its README footnotes mention.

Choose NotchStar if…

  • You want clipboard history, a file shelf with AirDrop, calendar, timers, a teleprompter or a camera mirror, none of which its page lists.
  • You want a release marked stable: NotchStar 1.0.5 shipped on 12 October 2026, signed and notarized.
  • You want a 7 day trial and a 7 day refund.

The verdict.

NotchBar is a pre release, open source widget bar with a system monitor and media playback. NotchStar has more tools and a stable release. Choose NotchBar if you want AGPL source to read and a minimal bar. Choose NotchStar for the wider toolbox and a signed, notarized app.

What NotchBar is

NotchBar is an open source widget bar for the notch, made by navtoj on GitHub under AGPL 3.0. Its widgets include Media Playback with artwork, artist, track and controls, a System Monitor for CPU, memory, storage, battery and network, and Active App. It needs macOS 14.5. The newest release is 0.0.3.2, marked pre release and dated 22 January, with no year shown.

Who it suits

A developer who wants a small, readable widget bar and does not mind a pre release. The README says more widgets are coming and mentions a Gatekeeper popup.

What NotchBar does that NotchStar does not

It has an Active App widget, which NotchStar does not. Its source is public under AGPL 3.0, where NotchStar is closed source. Its price is not stated on the page we read. NotchStar is $4 once. Prices as of 4 November 2026.

What NotchStar does that NotchBar does not list

Media playback and system stats overlap, so both apps cover those. Beyond them, NotchBar’s page does not list clipboard history, a file shelf, calendar, timers, a teleprompter, a camera mirror or screenshots. NotchStar has ten tools plus the Screenshot Tray, a stable release number and a signed and notarized build.

Switching from NotchBar to NotchStar

The two overlap on now playing and system stats, so those tabs will feel familiar. You give up the Active App widget and the readable source.

What we could not verify

We have not tested NotchBar ourselves. Everything here comes from its GitHub page and releases page, read on 4 November 2026. We could not confirm its price, Intel support, release cadence or the year of the latest release. Features not mentioned on the page we read are marked unknown rather than no.

Questions.

Is NotchBar free?

Its page does not state a price for the app. The source code is under AGPL 3.0.

Is NotchBar finished?

The newest release on its releases page is 0.0.3.2, marked pre release, and its README says more widgets are coming.

More comparisons.

NotchStar vs AgentNotch
AgentNotch is an MIT licensed app that shows Claude Code and Codex tool calls, tokens and cost in the notch; NotchStar has no agent monitoring. Read it
NotchStar vs Alcove
Alcove is a $12.99 one time purchase for macOS 15 or later built around live activities, lock screen widgets and HUDs; NotchStar is a $4 toolbox of ten utilities with none of those three. Read it
NotchStar vs Alfred
Alfred is a launcher whose clipboard history needs the Powerpack at 34 GBP and keeps up to 3 months; NotchStar is a $4 once app where clipboard history is one of ten notch tools. Read it
NotchStar vs Atoll
Atoll is an open source GPL 3.0 notch app with live activities, lock screen widgets and a very wide feature list; NotchStar is a $4 signed toolbox with neither, and with tools Atoll does not list. Read it
NotchStar vs Avocado
Avocado is a teleprompter with a free tier and a Pro tier for voice scrolling, AI access and a Recording Studio; NotchStar's teleprompter scrolls at a set speed inside a $4 toolbox. Read it
NotchStar vs Bartender
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NotchStar vs Be Focused
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NotchStar vs Boring Notch
Boring Notch is free, open source and replaces the volume and brightness HUDs; NotchStar is a $4 signed and notarized app with more utility tools, such as clipboard history, timers, a teleprompter and disk tools. Read it
NotchStar vs Brow
Brow is a broad Mac toolkit with a launcher and window management, free with a Pro tier at $4.99 a month for AI features; NotchStar is a smaller notch app at $4 once. Read it
NotchStar vs ChocolateBar
ChocolateBar is a $15 menu bar manager that hides crowded icons or shows them in a second row under the bar, on macOS 12 to 15. NotchStar is a $4 notch toolbox that does not manage menu bar icons. Read it
NotchStar vs CleanShot X
CleanShot X captures, annotates and records, from $35 with a year of updates; NotchStar does not capture, and its $4 Screenshot Tray only holds screenshots macOS already took. Read it
NotchStar vs Crest
Crest is a larger notch control room at $14.99 once, with Claude Code and Codex approvals, passwords, a 2FA authenticator and encrypted file sending; NotchStar is $4 once and sticks to everyday utilities. Read it
NotchStar vs CueNotch
CueNotch is a feature rich notch teleprompter with voice following and Ghost Mode, free with a $29.99 lifetime or $7.99 weekly Pro; NotchStar's teleprompter scrolls at a set speed inside a $4 toolbox. Read it
NotchStar vs DaisyDisk
DaisyDisk is the dedicated visual disk analyzer at $9.99 once with a 30 day money back guarantee; NotchStar's Disk tool finds large files, duplicates and leftovers inside a $4 toolbox. Read it
NotchStar vs DropNotch
DropNotch is a free notch file shelf with live status displays and a $15 one time Pro upgrade for clipboard history; NotchStar is a $4 toolbox of ten tools. Read it
NotchStar vs Dropover
Dropover is a dedicated drag and drop shelf that opens on a shake, with cloud uploads and actions, free with a $7.99 Pro; NotchStar is a $4 app whose shelf is one of ten tools. Read it
NotchStar vs Droppy
Droppy is a larger modular suite with 41 free extensions, live activities, window snapping and a teleprompter at $9.99 once; NotchStar is a smaller $4 toolbox of ten tools. Read it
NotchStar vs Dropzone
Dropzone 5 is a $35 action launcher with grids, scripting and a Drop Bar; NotchStar is a $4 app whose file shelf overlaps only with that Drop Bar. Read it
NotchStar vs Dynamic Notch
Dynamic Notch is a free GPL 3.0 app that brings iPhone style live activities to the Mac notch, with a release on 3 November 2026; NotchStar is a $4 toolbox of ten tools with no live activities. Read it
NotchStar vs DynamicHorizon
DynamicHorizon sells 20 or more notch modules with lock screen media and lyrics for $11.99 lifetime; NotchStar is $4 once with ten tools and a clear Mac count. Read it
NotchStar vs DynamicLake
DynamicLake adds a Dynamic Island style layer with message and call notifications, plugins, weather and file conversion for $13.99, with 89 changelog entries since June 2024; NotchStar is a $4 toolbox of ten utilities that stays quiet until you open it. Read it
NotchStar vs Gojo
Gojo sells clipboard, shelf, window snapping, camera mirror and on device dictation from $9.99 lifetime for one Mac, or $19.99 for up to three; NotchStar is $4 once for up to three Macs. Read it
NotchStar vs Hidden Bar
Hidden Bar is a free, open source app that tucks menu bar icons behind an arrow; NotchStar does not organize menu bar icons and offers ten notch tools for $4 once. Read it
NotchStar vs Ice
Ice is a free, open source menu bar manager with an Ice Bar, profiles and hotkeys; NotchStar does not organize menu bar icons and is a $4 toolbox of ten notch tools. Read it
NotchStar vs iStat Menus
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NotchStar vs Korinotch
Korinotch lists $11.50 lifetime, a 14 day trial and a required account; NotchStar is $4 once with no account, a 7 day trial and ten tools. Read it
NotchStar vs Maccy
Maccy is a free MIT clipboard manager you search by typing; NotchStar's clipboard history is one of ten notch tools for $4 and keeps 50 items in memory only. Read it
NotchStar vs MacNotch
MacNotch, sold through Setapp, does more: a widget grid, device batteries, file actions and live activities in the closed notch. NotchStar is smaller and costs $4 once, where MacNotch is a subscription from $4.99 a month. Read it
NotchStar vs MediaMate
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NotchStar vs MewNotch
MewNotch is a free GPL 3.0 app that replaces volume and brightness HUDs and adds a shelf with AirDrop, now playing and a mirror; NotchStar is $4 once, signed and notarized, with ten tools. Read it
NotchStar vs Notch Buddy
Notch Buddy adds live revenue and visitor numbers to a notch toolbox at $5.99 for the first 100 customers, then $19.99; NotchStar is a $4 toolbox of ten tools. Read it
NotchStar vs NotchBox
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NotchStar vs NotchDrop
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NotchStar vs Notchet
Notchet is a notch clipboard manager with search, text inside images and a shelf for $9.99 once; NotchStar is a $4 toolbox where clipboard history is one of ten tools. Read it
NotchStar vs Notchi
Notchi is a free GPL 3.0 app that shows Claude Code and Codex sessions, usage and cost in the notch; NotchStar is a $4 toolbox with no agent monitoring. Read it
NotchStar vs Notchie
Notchie is a teleprompter in the notch for $29.99 once that hides during screen sharing in supported apps and pauses when you hover; NotchStar's teleprompter is one tool in a $4 toolbox. Read it
NotchStar vs Notchmeister
Notchmeister is a free Mac App Store app from The Iconfactory that adds decorative effects around the notch; NotchStar adds ten working tools instead. Read it
NotchStar vs NotchNest
NotchNest is a free Mac App Store download with capped free use, $2.99 a month or $14.99 once, and on device AI helpers; NotchStar is a $4 one time toolbox of ten tools with no caps. Read it
NotchStar vs NotchNook
NotchNook Pro (28 October 2026) adds live activities, AI agent approvals, clipboard and a teleprompter for $19 lifetime or $3 a month on Apple silicon; NotchStar is a $4 one time toolbox with none of the live features. Read it
NotchStar vs NotchPop
NotchPop is a free, open source notch app covering clipboard, shelf, music, calendar, timers and system stats; NotchStar costs $4 once and adds a teleprompter, camera mirror, quick notes, disk tools and a screenshot tray. Read it
NotchStar vs NotchPrompter
NotchPrompter is a single purpose open source teleprompter that follows your voice and hides from screen sharing; NotchStar's teleprompter scrolls at a set speed inside a $4 toolbox. Read it
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NotchStar vs NotchThings
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NotchStar vs OmniNotch
OmniNotch ships twenty tools, including on device AI chat, AI usage meters and live sales totals, and has a timer countdown in the closed notch. NotchStar is narrower, with ten tools, and costs $4 once against OmniNotch's $5 flash sale and $19.99 regular price. Read it
NotchStar vs OneNotch
OneNotch is a free to start notch app with deep clipboard boards, capture tools and window snapping for Apple silicon on macOS 15; NotchStar is a $4 toolbox that runs on macOS 14 and Intel. Read it
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Paste is a subscription clipboard manager with unlimited history, pinboards and iCloud sync; NotchStar's clipboard keeps 50 items in memory for a $4 one time price. Read it
NotchStar vs PastePal
PastePal is a dedicated clipboard manager with iCloud sync and 75+ text transforms, free with a $14.99 Pro; NotchStar is a $4 app where clipboard history is one of ten tools. Read it
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PromptSmart Pro is a full window teleprompter that follows your voice and imports many file types for $29.99; NotchStar's Teleprompter is a fixed speed scroll in the notch within a $4 toolbox. Read it
NotchStar vs QuackScreen
QuackScreen is a capture app for the notch with screen recording, screenshots and an annotation editor, for EUR 20 on macOS 26; NotchStar is a $4 toolbox that catches screenshots but does not capture. Read it
NotchStar vs Raycast
Raycast is a launcher whose clipboard history keeps 3 months on the free plan and is unlimited on Pro at $10 a month; NotchStar is a $4 once app where clipboard history is one of ten notch tools. Read it
NotchStar vs Sapphire
Sapphire is a free, AGPL licensed notch app with Face ID, window snapping, a lock screen and a big free feature set, plus monthly AI and live data plans from $15.99; NotchStar is a $4 one time toolbox with none of those. Read it
NotchStar vs Seam
Seam is a Dynamic Island style surface with live activities, a lock screen display, coding agent progress and on device voice dictation for $19.90 on Apple silicon; NotchStar is a $4 toolbox of ten tools you open on purpose. Read it
NotchStar vs Session
Session is the dedicated focus timer, with website and app blocking, calendar sync and AppleScript, on a $4.99 monthly or $39.99 yearly plan; NotchStar has simpler Pomodoro timers for $4 once. Read it
NotchStar vs Shottr
Shottr captures and annotates screenshots with OCR and scrolling capture at a pay what you want price; NotchStar does not capture, and its $4 Screenshot Tray only holds macOS screenshots. Read it
NotchStar vs Stats
Stats is a free, open source menu bar monitor with sensors, GPU, Bluetooth and a clock; NotchStar is a $4 closed source toolbox where system stats is one of ten tools. Read it
NotchStar vs SuperIsland
SuperIsland is a free app with live activities, a JavaScript extension SDK and store, and meeting join links, but it needs a physical notch and has had no release since June 2026; NotchStar is $4 once with ten tools. Read it
NotchStar vs TopNotch
TopNotch, a free app from the CleanShot team, makes the camera housing blend into a black menu bar; its last release was June 2023. NotchStar keeps the notch visible and puts ten tools around it. Read it
NotchStar vs Tuneful
Tuneful is a focused $4.99 music controller for Spotify and Apple Music that needs macOS 15; NotchStar is a $4 toolbox of ten tools with Now Playing as one of them. Read it
NotchStar vs Vibe Notch
Vibe Notch, formerly Claude Island, is an Apache 2.0 open source app for monitoring Claude Code and approving permissions from the notch; NotchStar has no agent monitoring. Read it
NotchStar vs Xnapper
Xnapper beautifies and redacts screenshots from $29.99 with a year of updates; NotchStar does not capture, and its $4 Screenshot Tray only holds screenshots macOS already took. Read it
NotchStar vs Yoink
Yoink is a long established drag shelf with clipboard history and an iOS companion at $8.99 once with a 28 day trial; NotchStar is a $4 app whose shelf is one of ten tools. Read it
NotchBar alternatives
Every option next to NotchBar, with price and macOS support. See the alternatives
Best Mac notch apps
A neutral roundup of the options. Read the guide
NotchStar app icon

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