SaneBar vs Pelmet

SaneBar8.9Visit Pelmet8.7Visit

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

vs

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

• SaneBar fits best

  Free users wanting polished organization

• Pelmet fits best

  Free users wanting advanced layout control

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 ↗	Pelmet 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.7
Ranking	#3 in Menu Bar Customization Software	#4 in Menu Bar Customization Software
Best for	Free users wanting polished organization	Free users wanting advanced layout control
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	macOS
Support	Email	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features SaneBar 6/7 · Pelmet 5/7
Hide menu items	✓	✓
Rearrange items	✓	✓
Group menu items	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Custom menu items	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
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	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
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	Requires macOS 27 (Golden Gate) or later Distributed outside the Mac App Store Uses a private Apple framework whose compatibility may change
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 →	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 →

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

• 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

• SaneBar8.9/10 · Free plan

  A capable free option for organizing crowded Mac menu bars.

  Visit SaneBarFull verdict →
• Pelmet8.7/10 · Free plan

  Advanced menu bar layout control without a paid tier.

  Visit PelmetFull verdict →