iStat Menus review
A deep macOS monitor for users who want live hardware and performance detail.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
iStat Menus is a macOS system-monitoring application for Mac users who want continuously visible information about performance, hardware, connectivity, power, and weather. Its menu bar displays can cover CPU and GPU usage, frequency, temperature, memory pressure, disk activity, network bandwidth, battery status, Bluetooth device batteries, sensors, forecasts, and clock views. Detailed menus add per-application resource lists, history graphs, disk S.M.A.R.T. monitoring, connection details, and public and private IP addresses.
The monitoring depth is its clearest strength. Users can inspect CPU and GPU activity, memory compression and swap, application disk usage, connectivity status, and real-time temperature, fan, frequency, voltage, current, and power readings. Configurable notifications can respond to system, network, battery, sensor, and weather conditions. Custom menu bar items, ordering, themes, and combined views help tailor how much information remains visible during everyday Mac use.
The published plans show a paid iStat Menus 7 offering with a 14-day free trial and no free plan. Its listed highlights include CPU and GPU monitoring, memory and disk monitoring, network and battery monitoring, plus sensors, weather, and customizable menu bar views. Monthly and yearly weather subscriptions are separate plans for weather data. iStat Menus is a focused choice for macOS users who value broad live monitoring and hardware detail; users seeking another operating system, a free tier, verified reporting, or integrations should choose an alternative.
iStat Menus pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Tracks CPU, GPU, memory, disks, network, batteries, and sensors
- Offers per-application resource lists, history graphs, and S.M.A.R.T. status
- Customizes menu bar views, themes, alerts, and combined displays
- Where it doesn't
- Available only for macOS
- No free plan
- Weather subscriptions are separate in-app purchases
iStat Menus fact sheet, pricing and score →
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