Hidden Bar
Hidden Bar: A focused, free utility for hiding and organizing crowded macOS menu bars. Ranked #6 of 25 in Menu Bar Customization Software by our editors (8.3/10); pricing: Free plan; best for simple free icon hiding.
At a glance
- Editor score8.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSimple free icon hiding
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Hide menu itemsYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free and open source
- Supports hiding, rearranging, shortcuts, and automatic collapse
- Handles multiple displays with automatic hidden-zone resizing
Where it doesn't
- Available only for macOS
- Does not offer custom menu items or integrations
- App Store and direct-download builds may differ on newer macOS versions
Our verdict on Hidden Bar
Hidden Bar is a free, open-source macOS utility for reducing menu bar clutter. It lets users place icons on either side of a divider, collapse the hidden section, and reveal it when needed. The focused feature set suits Mac users who want a simpler menu bar without adding custom items or connecting other services. Current releases require macOS 13 or later, and the app is distributed through the Mac App Store and as a notarized direct download.
Its strongest capability is control over when icons appear. Users can hide selected menu bar icons, rearrange them by Command-dragging across the divider, and keep selected items in an always-hidden section. A configurable delay can collapse the hidden area automatically, while a global keyboard shortcut expands or collapses it on demand. When expanded, Hidden Bar can show the full menu bar, and its hidden zone resizes automatically when display configurations change. Launch at login is also available for users who want the utility ready when macOS starts.
Hidden Bar stays intentionally narrow in scope. It covers the core tasks of hiding, grouping, rearranging, and revealing existing menu bar icons, but it does not provide custom menu items or integrations. That makes it a clear fit for users who want free icon organization across one or more displays. Users seeking broader menu bar customization, connected services, or additional menu content should choose a tool built around those capabilities instead. The Mac App Store and direct-download versions may differ in capabilities on newer macOS versions, so the distribution method is part of the buying decision.
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Hidden Bar pricing
Hidden Bar fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Hide menu items | Yes |
| Rearrange items | Yes |
| Group menu items | Yes |
| Custom menu items | Not verified |
| Keyboard shortcuts | Yes |
| Multiple displays | Yes |
| Notch support | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | macOS |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Hidden Bar
- ThawA free, highly configurable way to organize, hide, and search macOS menu bar items.9.4
- BartenderA broad Mac menu bar toolkit for users who need profiles, triggers, widgets, and layouts.9.2
- SaneBarA capable free option for organizing crowded Mac menu bars.8.9
See all Hidden Bar alternatives →
Hidden Bar vs the competition
- Hidden Bar vs Thaw
- Hidden Bar vs Bartender
- Hidden Bar vs SaneBar
- Hidden Bar vs Pelmet
- Hidden Bar vs Ice 2
- Hidden Bar vs Foldaway
Compare Hidden Bar with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Hidden Bar is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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