SwiftBar review

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

SwiftBar is an open-source macOS utility for creating custom menu bar items with executable scripts or Shortcuts. It is aimed at technical users who want to turn scripts into menu bar programs, build dropdown menus, or add quick actions to their desktop. The app supports custom items, separators, notifications, images, SF Symbols, badges, tooltips, and web views. It requires macOS 12 or later and is distributed under the MIT License.

Its strongest area is programmable menu construction. Plugins can be installed from a bundled repository, and users can run Shortcuts, ephemeral, standard, and streamable plugins. Refreshes can be scheduled with filenames or cron syntax, while menu items can be reordered by Command-dragging. Keyboard shortcuts and a URL scheme add direct ways to trigger menu actions and refreshes. This makes SwiftBar a fit for workflows that need more than static icons or simple visibility controls.

SwiftBar is free and open source, with no paid tier to choose between. Users can install plugins from GitHub Releases or Homebrew, or build the app from source. The trade-off is that its flexibility depends on scripts, plugins, and configuration rather than a purely visual setup. It is a strong choice for Mac users comfortable with script-based customization and a poor fit for anyone seeking a conventional point-and-click menu bar organizer focused primarily on hiding existing items.

SwiftBar pros and cons

• Where it wins
  • Creates menu bar items from executable scripts or Shortcuts
  • Supports plugins, schedules, nested menus, and keyboard shortcuts
  • Offers URL actions, images, SF Symbols, badges, and web views
• Where it doesn't
  • Requires macOS 12 or later
  • Script-focused workflows may demand technical setup
  • Focuses on creating items rather than hiding existing ones

SwiftBar 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 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update