SaneBar vs Foldaway

SaneBar8.9Visit Foldaway8.1Visit

Higher score SaneBar #3 in Menu Bar Customization Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 6 of 7 features Visit SaneBar

vs

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

• SaneBar fits best

  Free users wanting polished organization

• 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	SaneBar 8.9/10 Visit ↗	Foldaway 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.1
Ranking	#3 in Menu Bar Customization Software	#7 in Menu Bar Customization Software
Best for	Free users wanting polished organization	Users wanting grouped hidden icons
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free	$9.99 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	14 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	macOS
Support	Email	Email
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features SaneBar 6/7 · Foldaway 3/7
Hide menu items	✓	✓
Rearrange items	✓ (best)	—
Group menu items	✓	✓
Custom menu items	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Keyboard shortcuts	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Multiple displays	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Notch support	✓	✓
Our review
Pros	Hides, reveals, searches, and organizes menu bar icons Includes profiles, triggers, hotkeys, protection, and automation Free, MIT licensed, with no subscription or license key	Groups hidden icons under user-named sections Opens app menus without restoring their menu bar icons Supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs
Cons	Designed for macOS rather than cross-platform use Focuses on menu bar organization, not broader desktop customization Its integrations center on Apple Shortcuts, Bartender, and Ice	No keyboard shortcuts Does not rearrange visible menu bar items Requires Accessibility permission
Our verdict	SaneBar is a free, open-source menu bar manager for macOS users who want more control over crowded menu bars. It hides and reveals selected icons, keeps chosen items visible, and provides an Icon Panel or second menu bar view for accessing… 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

• SaneBar — where it wins

  • Hides, reveals, searches, and organizes menu bar icons
  • Includes profiles, triggers, hotkeys, protection, and automation
  • Free, MIT licensed, with no subscription or license key

  Where it doesn't

  • Designed for macOS rather than cross-platform use
  • Focuses on menu bar organization, not broader desktop customization
  • Its integrations center on Apple Shortcuts, Bartender, and Ice

• 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

• SaneBar8.9/10 · Free plan

  A capable free option for organizing crowded Mac menu bars.

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

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

  Visit FoldawayFull verdict →