Dato vs iStat Menus

Dato8.2Visit iStat Menus7.9Visit

Higher score Dato #5 in Menu Bar Apps 8.2/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Dato

vs

iStat Menus #7 in Menu Bar Apps 7.9/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit iStat Menus

• Dato fits best

  Mac users who want calendar and meeting tools at a glance

• iStat Menus fits best

  Mac users who want detailed system monitoring

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Side by side

Feature	Dato 8.2/10 Visit ↗	iStat Menus 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.2	7.9
Ranking	#5 in Menu Bar Apps	#7 in Menu Bar Apps
Best for	Mac users who want calendar and meeting tools at a glance	Mac users who want detailed system monitoring
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	14 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	macOS
Support	Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Dato 2/3 · iStat Menus 0/3
Keyboard shortcuts	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Automation support	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Intel Mac support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
macOS versions	macOS 26 and later	Not checked yet
Primary function	Other	Not checked yet
Menu bar items	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Shows upcoming events, week numbers and calendar indicators in the menu bar Combines multiple named world clocks with time-zone search Fullscreen meeting alerts can open or join supported video calls	Tracks CPU, GPU, memory, disk, network, battery, and hardware sensors Shows per-application resource lists and detailed system history Customizable menu bar views and condition-based notifications
Cons	Requires a paid purchase; there is no free plan Calendar access depends on services configured through macOS Calendar Available for macOS only	Available for macOS only Paid product with no free plan Weather data requires a separate subscription
Our verdict	Dato is a macOS menu bar utility for people who want their calendar, upcoming events and local time close at hand. Alongside calendar views and event indicators, it can show multiple world clocks, create reminders and display meeting… Read the review →	iStat Menus puts system and hardware monitoring in the macOS menu bar, with detailed menus for CPU, GPU, memory, disk, network, battery, sensors, weather, and time. It is aimed at Mac users who want performance information continuously… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Dato — where it wins

  • Shows upcoming events, week numbers and calendar indicators in the menu bar
  • Combines multiple named world clocks with time-zone search
  • Fullscreen meeting alerts can open or join supported video calls

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires a paid purchase; there is no free plan
  • Calendar access depends on services configured through macOS Calendar
  • Available for macOS only

• iStat Menus — where it wins

  • Tracks CPU, GPU, memory, disk, network, battery, and hardware sensors
  • Shows per-application resource lists and detailed system history
  • Customizable menu bar views and condition-based notifications

  Where it doesn't

  • Available for macOS only
  • Paid product with no free plan
  • Weather data requires a separate subscription

• Dato8.2/10 · Paid

  Dato brings calendar events, time zones, reminders and meeting controls to the macOS menu bar.

  Visit DatoFull verdict →
• iStat Menus7.9/10 · 14-day trial

  A configurable macOS monitor for users who want system stats and alerts at a glance.

  Visit iStat MenusFull verdict →