Buzz
While you might already be familiar with customizing your MacBook’s Dock, the Menu Bar is another area worth optimizing. Many of your Mac’s most powerful apps operate discreetly from the Menu Bar, offering quick access to their core features through a compact dropdown menu. Though not every function is available here, these apps streamline your workflow by providing instant access to key tools, saving you time and boosting productivity. Below are some of the top Menu Bar apps to consider for your Mac.
AlDente
Reduce battery wear on your Mac with AlDente. This app enables you to set custom charging thresholds for your MacBook, helping to extend battery lifespan. Adjusting these settings is effortless through its intuitive Menu Bar interface.
Amphetamine
Tired of your Mac automatically dimming the screen when you step away? Amphetamine is a free Menu Bar tool that ensures your display stays active for as long as you need. With just a few clicks, you can set the duration directly from the Menu Bar, making it incredibly convenient.
Clip
Clip is a handy clipboard manager accessible right from your Menu Bar. By clicking its icon, you can view a history of recently copied items and use shortcuts (Command + 1 through 9) to instantly retrieve any of them.
Yoink
Yoink simplifies dragging and dropping files between folders on your Mac. When you come across something worth saving, just drag it to Yoink’s Menu Bar icon, and the app will store it for later use. You can then retrieve the item from the Menu Bar and drop it into any other application effortlessly.
Magnet
Your Mac deserves a superior window management tool, and Magnet stands out as one of the best. Its Menu Bar interface lets you swiftly organize windows to suit your workflow. For instance, you can position Chrome on the left, Mail in the top-right corner, and Slack in the bottom-right. Magnet’s Menu Bar app is particularly handy when you forget the keyboard shortcuts for quick window arrangements.
SoundSource
If you need to adjust volume levels for specific apps, SoundSource is the perfect solution. This versatile app lets you lower the volume for messaging apps while boosting it for media players like Music or VLC. All of this can be managed directly from the Menu Bar.
CleanShot X
CleanShot X is one of the top screenshot tools available for your Mac. Its Menu Bar integration enables you to capture various types of screenshots and screen recordings, including features that aren’t accessible via keyboard shortcuts.
ItsyCal
For a straightforward calendar app in the Menu Bar, ItsyCal is an excellent option. However, any calendar app with a Menu Bar feature will suffice, so choose one that suits your preferences. Since macOS doesn’t display a calendar when you click the clock, third-party apps like this are a significant upgrade.
Additionally, Calendar 366 II deserves mention for its ability to replace the system clock. After disabling the default Mac clock, you can configure Calendar 366 to display the date and time in the Menu Bar, mimicking a popular Windows feature where clicking the clock reveals the calendar.
Later
Later efficiently saves your currently open apps for future access, making it an ideal solution for decluttering your Mac workspace. With its Menu Bar utility, you can close all apps instantly and restore them to their original positions on the desktop whenever needed.
Bartender
Our final recommendation is an app designed to manage your growing collection of Menu Bar tools. When too many apps crowd the Menu Bar, Bartender steps in to tidy things up. Beyond its organizational prowess, it offers smart features like automatically displaying or hiding specific icons. For instance, it can show the Wi-Fi icon only when disconnected or hide the battery icon during charging. If you rely heavily on Menu Bar apps, Bartender is indispensable.
