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xbar

Free#18 of 25 in Menu Bar Customization Software

xbar: A flexible, open-source menu-bar utility for script-driven content on macOS. Ranked #18 of 25 in Menu Bar Customization Software by our editors (6.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for users creating script-driven menu content.

6.9/10Editor score

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xbar6.9 Visit xbar

At a glance

Editor score
6.9 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Users creating script-driven menu content
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Hide menu items
No
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Free and open source with plugins in any language
- Supports nested submenus, grouped output, links, and actions
- Adds keyboard shortcuts, variables, and refresh controls
Where it doesn't
- Runs on macOS only
- Requires macOS Catalina or newer
- Does not hide or rearrange existing menu-bar items

Our verdict on xbar

xbar is an open-source macOS utility that runs scripts and programs, then displays their output as menu-bar items and dropdown menus. It is intended for users who want to create custom, script-driven menu content rather than manage the placement of existing macOS system items. A plugin browser supports discovering and managing plugins, while user-written plugins can be created in any language. xbar requires macOS Catalina or newer.

Its strongest area is plugin-driven customization. The published feature set supports nested submenus, grouped plugin output, links, shell actions, refresh actions, keyboard shortcuts, configurable plugin variables, and configurable refresh intervals. That combination gives technically inclined users several ways to turn scripts into compact menu-bar tools, including custom actions and scheduled refresh behavior. The plugin format also supports images and colors, adding presentation options alongside functional controls.

xbar is free and open source, with no paid tier structure to compare. Its focus is narrow: extending the macOS menu bar with script output and plugins. That makes it a good fit for users who want programmable menu items, reusable plugins, and grouped dropdown content. Users who need to hide or rearrange existing macOS menu-bar items should choose a different type of menu-bar customization tool instead. xbar is better suited to adding and controlling custom content than to reorganizing the system menu bar.

Your product? Our editors can test xbar in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

xbar pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on xbarapp.com

xbar fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Hide menu items	No
Rearrange items	No
Group menu items	Yes
Custom menu items	Yes
Keyboard shortcuts	Yes
Multiple displays	Not verified
Notch support	Not verified
Deployment	Desktop
Platforms	macOS
Support	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Free plan
Website	xbarapp.com
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

Alternatives to xbar

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Featured on iTechGuides

xbar is listed in our Menu Bar Customization Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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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 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update