Pelmet
Pelmet: Advanced menu bar layout control without a paid tier. Ranked #4 of 25 in Menu Bar Customization Software by our editors (8.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free users wanting advanced layout control.
At a glance
- Editor score8.7 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree users wanting advanced layout control
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Hide menu itemsYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Pelmet
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 editor, keyboard shortcuts, app launchers, adjustable separators, and built-in replacement items. Pelmet is free and open source under GPLv3, making it a fit for macOS users seeking advanced layout control without a paid plan.
Its standout strength is the range of ways to manage hidden items. Users can reveal icons with hover, click, double-click, or a chevron, then use Instant, Smooth, or Fade animations for the reveal behavior. Keyboard shortcuts can reveal icons or open settings, while per-display show or collapse behavior helps tailor the layout across multiple displays. The combination of drag-and-drop editing and command-drag rearrangement also supports both a dedicated layout workflow and direct changes in the menu bar.
Pelmet’s main trade-offs are platform and compatibility requirements. It targets macOS 27 (Golden Gate) or later, runs only on macOS, and is distributed outside the Mac App Store. Its hiding mechanism uses a private Apple framework, so compatibility may change with future macOS updates. Choose Pelmet if free, open-source software and detailed menu bar control are priorities; consider an alternative if you need support for an earlier macOS release, another platform, or a distribution path limited to the Mac App Store.
Your product? Our editors can test Pelmet in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Pelmet pricing
Pelmet fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Hide menu items | Yes |
| Rearrange items | Yes |
| Group menu items | Not verified |
| Custom menu items | Yes |
| Keyboard shortcuts | Yes |
| Multiple displays | Yes |
| Notch support | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | macOS |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | pelmet.fif7y.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Pelmet
- 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
Pelmet vs the competition
- Pelmet vs Thaw
- Pelmet vs Bartender
- Pelmet vs SaneBar
- Pelmet vs Ice 2
- Pelmet vs Hidden Bar
- Pelmet vs Foldaway
Compare Pelmet with any tool side by side →
Used Pelmet? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Pelmet for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Pelmet is listed in our Menu Bar Customization Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/pelmet/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/pelmet.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update