Pelmet vs Foldaway

Pelmet8.7Visit Foldaway8.1Visit

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

vs

Foldaway #7 in Menu Bar Customization Software 8.1/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 7 features Visit Foldaway

• Pelmet fits best

  Free users wanting advanced layout control

• Foldaway fits best

  Users wanting grouped hidden icons

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	Pelmet 8.7/10 Visit ↗	Foldaway 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	8.1
Ranking	#4 in Menu Bar Customization Software	#7 in Menu Bar Customization Software
Best for	Free users wanting advanced layout control	Users wanting grouped hidden icons
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	$9.99 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	14 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	macOS
Support	Docs	Email
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Pelmet 5/7 · Foldaway 3/7
Hide menu items	✓	✓
Rearrange items	✓ (best)	—
Group menu items	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Custom menu items	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Keyboard shortcuts	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Multiple displays	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Notch support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
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	Groups hidden icons under user-named sections Opens app menus without restoring their menu bar icons Supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs
Cons	Requires macOS 27 (Golden Gate) or later Distributed outside the Mac App Store Uses a private Apple framework whose compatibility may change	No keyboard shortcuts Does not rearrange visible menu bar items Requires Accessibility permission
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 →	Foldaway is a macOS utility for users who want a less crowded menu bar without losing quick access to app controls. It hides selected icons behind a chevron panel, organizes them into user-named groups, and supports macOS 15 Sequoia and… 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

• Foldaway — where it wins

  • Groups hidden icons under user-named sections
  • Opens app menus without restoring their menu bar icons
  • Supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs

  Where it doesn't

  • No keyboard shortcuts
  • Does not rearrange visible menu bar items
  • Requires Accessibility permission

• Pelmet8.7/10 · Free plan

  Advanced menu bar layout control without a paid tier.

  Visit PelmetFull verdict →
• Foldaway8.1/10 · 14-day trial

  A focused macOS utility for grouped hiding, real glyphs, and direct app-menu access.

  Visit FoldawayFull verdict →