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Head-to-head · Touch Bar Apps

TouchRuler vs Touch Bar Demo App

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score TouchRuler #6 in Touch Bar Apps 6.4/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit TouchRuler
Touch Bar Demo App #7 in Touch Bar Apps 6.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features View on GitHub

TouchRuler leads on 0 checks, Touch Bar Demo App on 1, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreTouchRuler · 6.4/10
  • Free planonly Touch Bar Demo App

TouchRuler scores higher on our rubric for touch bar apps: 6.4 against 6.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

Touch Bar Demo App offers free plan; TouchRuler doesn't.

TouchRuler is the better fit for users who need a small ruler on a Touch Bar Mac. Touch Bar Demo App is the better fit for developers exploring a minimal Touch Bar demo.

  • TouchRuler fits best

    Users who need a small ruler on a Touch Bar Mac

  • Touch Bar Demo App fits best

    Developers exploring a minimal Touch Bar demo

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Side by side

Feature TouchRuler 6.4/10 Visit ↗ Touch Bar Demo App 6.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 6.4 6.0
Ranking #6 in Touch Bar Apps #7 in Touch Bar Apps
Best for Users who need a small ruler on a Touch Bar Mac Developers exploring a minimal Touch Bar demo
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price $0.99 one-time Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms macOS macOS
Built for Solo Solo, Small business
Features TouchRuler 0/6 · Touch Bar Demo App 0/6
Custom layouts — Not checked yet
App launching — Not checked yet
Media controls — Not checked yet
System controls — Not checked yet
Custom shortcuts — Not checked yet
Profiles — Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Includes a 20-centimetre on-screen ruler and 12-centimetre Touch Bar ruler
  • Click Pad captures measurements and copies them to the clipboard
  • Offers automatic or manual calibration, four themes, and transparency
  • Free and open source
  • Focused on demonstrating Apple’s Touch Bar interface
  • Runs as a standalone macOS desktop app
Cons
  • Touch Bar ruler works only on compatible MacBook Pro models
  • Focused on measurement rather than Touch Bar controls or customization
  • Costs $0.99 one-time, with no free plan
  • Demonstration focus may not suit day-to-day workflows
  • Limited to macOS
  • Support is community-based
Our verdict

For quick measurements against a Mac display or nearby objects, TouchRuler combines an on-screen ruler with a smaller ruler on compatible MacBook Pro Touch Bars. It also provides a Notification Center mini widget that can be dragged onto…

Read the review →

Touch Bar Demo App is a free, open-source macOS application that demonstrates Apple’s Touch Bar interface in a standalone app. It is aimed at developers exploring a minimal Touch Bar demo, rather than people seeking a general-purpose…

Read the review →
  1. TouchRulerTouch Bar Apps 6.4Paid
  2. Touch Bar Demo AppTouch Bar Apps 6.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • TouchRuler — where it wins

    • Includes a 20-centimetre on-screen ruler and 12-centimetre Touch Bar ruler
    • Click Pad captures measurements and copies them to the clipboard
    • Offers automatic or manual calibration, four themes, and transparency

    Where it doesn't

    • Touch Bar ruler works only on compatible MacBook Pro models
    • Focused on measurement rather than Touch Bar controls or customization
    • Costs $0.99 one-time, with no free plan
  • Touch Bar Demo App — where it wins

    • Free and open source
    • Focused on demonstrating Apple’s Touch Bar interface
    • Runs as a standalone macOS desktop app

    Where it doesn't

    • Demonstration focus may not suit day-to-day workflows
    • Limited to macOS
    • Support is community-based

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update