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Head-to-head · Touch Bar Apps

Pock vs BetterTouchTool

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Pock #1 in Touch Bar Apps 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Visit Pock
BetterTouchTool #3 in Touch Bar Apps 7.5/10 45-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 6 features Try BetterTouchTool

Pock leads on 1 check, BetterTouchTool on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePock · 8.4/10
  • Free planonly Pock
  • Free trialonly BetterTouchTool
  • Most featuresPock · 4 of 6

Pock scores higher on our rubric for touch bar apps: 8.4 against 7.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

Pock offers free plan; BetterTouchTool doesn't.

Pock is the better fit for mac users who want a free, configurable Touch Bar hub. BetterTouchTool is the better fit for mac users seeking broad input and workflow customization.

  • Pock fits best

    Mac users who want a free, configurable Touch Bar hub

  • BetterTouchTool fits best

    Mac users seeking broad input and workflow customization

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 Pock 8.4/10 Visit ↗ BetterTouchTool 7.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 7.5
Ranking #1 in Touch Bar Apps #3 in Touch Bar Apps
Best for Mac users who want a free, configurable Touch Bar hub Mac users seeking broad input and workflow customization
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan $15 one-time
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 45 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms macOS macOS
Features Pock 4/6 · BetterTouchTool 0/6
Custom layouts ✓ (best) Not checked yet
App launching ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Media controls ✓ (best) Not checked yet
System controls ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Custom shortcuts Not checked yet Not checked yet
Profiles Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Places the macOS Dock in the Touch Bar with notification badges and multi-window support
  • Combines media, Escape, brightness, volume, and system status controls
  • Supports widget reordering and custom widgets through PockKit documentation
  • Customize Trackpad and Magic Mouse gestures, shortcuts, and mouse buttons
  • Chain actions and create global or per-app triggers
  • Connect Stream Deck and use multiple scripting interfaces
Cons
  • Requires macOS 10.15 or later
  • Its focus is limited to Touch Bar widgets and controls
  • Custom widget creation requires working from PockKit documentation
  • Its feature set extends well beyond Touch Bar customization
  • The Standard License includes updates for only 2 years
  • Available for macOS only
Our verdict

Pock is a free macOS utility that puts widgets and controls on a MacBook Touch Bar. It suits Mac users who want quick access to the Dock, media playback, system status, and other controls without paying for the app. The Dock widget…

Read the review →

BetterTouchTool is macOS software for customizing input devices and automating actions. It is aimed at Mac users who want to remap Trackpad and Magic Mouse gestures, keyboard shortcuts, or mouse buttons, and connect those triggers to…

Read the review →
  1. PockTouch Bar Apps 8.4Free plan
  2. BetterTouchToolTouch Bar Apps 7.545-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Pock — where it wins

    • Places the macOS Dock in the Touch Bar with notification badges and multi-window support
    • Combines media, Escape, brightness, volume, and system status controls
    • Supports widget reordering and custom widgets through PockKit documentation

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires macOS 10.15 or later
    • Its focus is limited to Touch Bar widgets and controls
    • Custom widget creation requires working from PockKit documentation
  • BetterTouchTool — where it wins

    • Customize Trackpad and Magic Mouse gestures, shortcuts, and mouse buttons
    • Chain actions and create global or per-app triggers
    • Connect Stream Deck and use multiple scripting interfaces

    Where it doesn't

    • Its feature set extends well beyond Touch Bar customization
    • The Standard License includes updates for only 2 years
    • Available for macOS only

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update