SaneBar vs Ice 2

SaneBar8.9Visit Ice 28.5Visit

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

vs

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

• SaneBar fits best

  Free users wanting polished organization

• 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	SaneBar 8.9/10 Visit ↗	Ice 2 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.5
Ranking	#3 in Menu Bar Customization Software	#5 in Menu Bar Customization Software
Best for	Free users wanting polished organization	Free users wanting straightforward organization
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	macOS
Support	Email	Email, Community
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features SaneBar 6/7 · Ice 2 5/7
Hide menu items	✓	✓
Rearrange items	✓	✓
Group menu items	✓	✓
Custom menu items	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Keyboard shortcuts	✓	✓
Multiple displays	✓	✓
Notch support	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
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	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	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	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	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 →	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

• 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

• 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

• SaneBar8.9/10 · Free plan

  A capable free option for organizing crowded Mac menu bars.

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

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

  Visit Ice 2Full verdict →