Pelmet review
Advanced menu bar layout control without a paid tier.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Pelmet pros and cons
- 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
Pelmet fact sheet, pricing and score →
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