App Pier vs TouchRuler

App Pier7.8Visit TouchRuler6.4Visit

Higher score App Pier #2 in Touch Bar Apps 7.8/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 6 features Visit App Pier

vs

TouchRuler #6 in Touch Bar Apps 6.4/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit TouchRuler

• App Pier fits best

  Mac users focused on launching and switching apps

• TouchRuler fits best

  Users who need a small ruler on a Touch Bar Mac

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Side by side

Feature	App Pier 7.8/10 Visit ↗	TouchRuler 6.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.8	6.4
Ranking	#2 in Touch Bar Apps	#6 in Touch Bar Apps
Best for	Mac users focused on launching and switching apps	Users who need a small ruler on a Touch Bar Mac
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$2.99 one-time	$0.99 one-time
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	macOS
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo
Features App Pier 1/6 · TouchRuler 0/6
Custom layouts	Not checked yet	—
App launching	✓ (best)	—
Media controls	—	—
System controls	—	—
Custom shortcuts	Not checked yet	—
Profiles	Not checked yet	—
Our review
Pros	Search the Applications folder to launch apps. Pin favorites and switch to running apps from the Touch Bar. Use shortcuts, favorite folders, and window-hiding controls.	Includes a 20-centimetre on-screen ruler and 12-centimetre Touch Bar ruler Click Pad captures measurements and copies them to the clipboard Offers automatic or manual calibration, four themes, and transparency
Cons	Touch Bar controls require a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar. The listing specifies macOS 11.0 or later. Its focus is app launching and switching, not media or system controls.	Touch Bar ruler works only on compatible MacBook Pro models Focused on measurement rather than Touch Bar controls or customization Costs $0.99 one-time, with no free plan
Our verdict	App Pier is a Mac application launcher and switcher for people who want to reach apps quickly, especially through the Touch Bar or keyboard shortcuts. It can search the Applications folder, pin favorite apps, switch to running apps, and… Read the review →	For quick measurements against a Mac display or nearby objects, TouchRuler combines an on-screen ruler with a smaller ruler on compatible MacBook Pro Touch Bars. It also provides a Notification Center mini widget that can be dragged onto… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• App Pier — where it wins

  • Search the Applications folder to launch apps.
  • Pin favorites and switch to running apps from the Touch Bar.
  • Use shortcuts, favorite folders, and window-hiding controls.

  Where it doesn't

  • Touch Bar controls require a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar.
  • The listing specifies macOS 11.0 or later.
  • Its focus is app launching and switching, not media or system controls.

• TouchRuler — where it wins

  • Includes a 20-centimetre on-screen ruler and 12-centimetre Touch Bar ruler
  • Click Pad captures measurements and copies them to the clipboard
  • Offers automatic or manual calibration, four themes, and transparency

  Where it doesn't

  • Touch Bar ruler works only on compatible MacBook Pro models
  • Focused on measurement rather than Touch Bar controls or customization
  • Costs $0.99 one-time, with no free plan

• App Pier7.8/10 · Paid

  A focused launcher for finding, pinning, and switching Mac apps, with a one-time $2.99 price.

  Visit App PierFull verdict →
• TouchRuler6.4/10 · Paid

  A focused measuring utility for Mac, priced at $0.99 one-time.

  Visit TouchRulerFull verdict →