Pelmet vs Ice 2

Pelmet8.7Visit Ice 28.5Visit

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

vs

Ice 2 #5 in Menu Bar Customization Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 7 features Visit Ice 2

• Pelmet fits best

  Free users wanting advanced layout control

• Ice 2 fits best

  Free users wanting straightforward organization

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 ↗	Ice 2 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	8.5
Ranking	#4 in Menu Bar Customization Software	#5 in Menu Bar Customization Software
Best for	Free users wanting advanced layout control	Free users wanting straightforward organization
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	macOS
Support	Docs	Email, Community
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Pelmet 5/7 · Ice 2 5/7
Hide menu items	✓	✓
Rearrange items	✓	✓
Group menu items	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Custom menu items	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Keyboard shortcuts	✓	✓
Multiple displays	✓	✓
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	Free and open-source with no paid tier Layout editor, profiles, and automatic rehiding Multiple-display support with click, hotkey, and edge hover controls
Cons	Requires macOS 27 (Golden Gate) or later Distributed outside the Mac App Store Uses a private Apple framework whose compatibility may change	Designed for macOS only Some Ice Bar and single-item controls are unavailable on macOS 27 Fewer integrations and advanced features than broader alternatives
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 →	Ice 2 is a free, open-source menu bar manager for macOS from Dragon App. It is designed for people who want to reduce menu bar clutter without removing access to less frequently used items. Selected items can be hidden behind a divider or… 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

• Ice 2 — where it wins

  • Free and open-source with no paid tier
  • Layout editor, profiles, and automatic rehiding
  • Multiple-display support with click, hotkey, and edge hover controls

  Where it doesn't

  • Designed for macOS only
  • Some Ice Bar and single-item controls are unavailable on macOS 27
  • Fewer integrations and advanced features than broader alternatives

• Pelmet8.7/10 · Free plan

  Advanced menu bar layout control without a paid tier.

  Visit PelmetFull verdict →
• Ice 28.5/10 · Free plan

  A focused free tool for hiding, arranging, and revealing Mac menu bar items.

  Visit Ice 2Full verdict →