Pelmet vs Dozer

Pelmet8.7Visit DDozer7.9Visit

Higher score Pelmet #4 in Menu Bar Customization Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 7 features Visit Pelmet

vs

D Dozer #8 in Menu Bar Customization Software 7.9/10 Open source ✓ 4 of 7 features Visit Dozer

• Pelmet fits best

  Free users wanting advanced layout control

• Dozer fits best

  Users wanting minimal two-group hiding

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Side by side

Feature	Pelmet 8.7/10 Visit ↗	DDozer 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	7.9
Ranking	#4 in Menu Bar Customization Software	#8 in Menu Bar Customization Software
Best for	Free users wanting advanced layout control	Users wanting minimal two-group hiding
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Open source
Free plan	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	macOS
Support	Docs	Community
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Pelmet 5/7 · Dozer 4/7
Hide menu items	✓	✓
Rearrange items	✓	✓
Group menu items	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Custom menu items	✓ (best)	—
Keyboard shortcuts	✓	✓
Multiple displays	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Notch support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Drag-and-drop editor and command-drag menu bar rearrangement Multiple reveal actions, shortcuts, and per-display behavior Free, open-source macOS utility with launchers and built-in items	Supports hiding, showing, grouping, and rearranging menu bar icons Offers keyboard shortcuts, automatic hiding, and configurable hide delays Open-source macOS app with Homebrew Cask and manual installation options
Cons	Requires macOS 27 (Golden Gate) or later Distributed outside the Mac App Store Uses a private Apple framework whose compatibility may change	macOS only, with support requiring macOS 10.13 or later Does not provide custom menu items Notch and multiple-display support are not documented
Our verdict	Pelmet is a native macOS menu bar manager for organizing, hiding, revealing, and rearranging menu bar icons. It is aimed at users who want more control than simple icon hiding, with Visible, Hidden, and Always Hidden sections, a layout… Read the review →	Dozer is an open-source macOS utility for hiding and organizing status bar icons. It suits users who want a cleaner menu bar without adding custom menu items or broader customization features. Icons can be placed into one or two groups… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Pelmet — where it wins

  • Drag-and-drop editor and command-drag menu bar rearrangement
  • Multiple reveal actions, shortcuts, and per-display behavior
  • Free, open-source macOS utility with launchers and built-in items

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires macOS 27 (Golden Gate) or later
  • Distributed outside the Mac App Store
  • Uses a private Apple framework whose compatibility may change

• Dozer — where it wins

  • Supports hiding, showing, grouping, and rearranging menu bar icons
  • Offers keyboard shortcuts, automatic hiding, and configurable hide delays
  • Open-source macOS app with Homebrew Cask and manual installation options

  Where it doesn't

  • macOS only, with support requiring macOS 10.13 or later
  • Does not provide custom menu items
  • Notch and multiple-display support are not documented

• Pelmet8.7/10 · Free plan

  Advanced menu bar layout control without a paid tier.

  Visit PelmetFull verdict →
• DDozer7.9/10 · Open source

  A focused macOS utility for hiding, grouping, and rearranging menu bar icons.

  Visit DozerFull verdict →