Head-to-head · Touch Bar Apps
Pock vs 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
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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 |
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| Cons |
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| 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 → |
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
- Pock8.4/10 · Free plan
Pock brings Dock, media, system controls, and widgets to the Touch Bar at no cost.
Visit PockFull verdict → - BetterTouchTool7.5/10 · 45-day trial
A broad macOS customization and automation tool, though not centered on Touch Bar features.
Try BetterTouchToolFull verdict →
More comparisons
- Pock vs App Pier
- Pock vs Haptic Touch Bar
- Pock vs Touch Bar Visualizer
- Pock vs TouchRuler
- Pock vs Touch Bar Demo App
- Pock vs mtm
- App Pier vs BetterTouchTool
- BetterTouchTool vs Haptic Touch Bar
All touch bar apps comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update




