iStat Menus alternatives · Utilities
Open-source alternatives to iStat Menus
iStat Menus is not described as open source on its own site. 32 of the 96 other desktop utilities in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.
iStat Menus is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes. 31 of them are free or have a free plan.
32 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from
The 12 closest to iStat Menus
- Free
Stats
Free, open-source system monitor for the Mac menu bar
- Stats is free. iStat Menus starts at $11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes.
- Stats has a free plan. iStat Menus does not, though it has a free trial.
- Stats is open source, according to its own site.
- iStat Menus can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free
SwiftBar
Open-source tool that puts script output in the Mac menu bar
- SwiftBar is free. iStat Menus starts at $11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes.
- SwiftBar has a free plan. iStat Menus does not, though it has a free trial.
- SwiftBar is open source, according to its own site.
- iStat Menus can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free
Karabiner-Elements
Free, open-source keyboard customizer for macOS
- Karabiner-Elements is free. iStat Menus starts at $11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes.
- Karabiner-Elements has a free plan. iStat Menus does not, though it has a free trial.
- Karabiner-Elements is open source, according to its own site.
- iStat Menus can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free plan · from $4.99
Maccy
Lightweight, open-source clipboard manager for macOS
- Maccy starts at $4.99 or more, pay what you want (website download via Gumroad). iStat Menus starts at $11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes.
- Maccy has a free plan. iStat Menus does not, though it has a free trial.
- Maccy is open source, according to its own site.
- iStat Menus can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free
Thaw
Free, open-source menu bar manager for macOS
- Thaw is free. iStat Menus starts at $11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes.
- Thaw has a free plan. iStat Menus does not, though it has a free trial.
- Thaw is open source, according to its own site.
- iStat Menus can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free
MonitorControl
Free, open-source brightness and volume control for Mac displays
- MonitorControl is free. iStat Menus starts at $11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes.
- MonitorControl has a free plan. iStat Menus does not, though it has a free trial.
- MonitorControl is open source, according to its own site.
- iStat Menus can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free trial · from $2.99 one-time
Mac Mouse Fix
Trackpad-style gestures and smooth scrolling for third-party mice
- Mac Mouse Fix starts at $2.99 one-time purchase, plus local taxes. iStat Menus starts at $11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes.
- Mac Mouse Fix is open source, according to its own site.
- Mac Mouse Fix also covers keyboard and mouse remapping.
- iStat Menus also covers menu bar app and system monitor.
- Free
boring.notch
Turns the MacBook notch into a music player and file shelf
- boring.notch is free. iStat Menus starts at $11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes.
- boring.notch has a free plan. iStat Menus does not, though it has a free trial.
- boring.notch is open source, according to its own site.
- iStat Menus can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free
EarTrumpet
Per-app volume mixer for the Windows system tray
- EarTrumpet is free. iStat Menus starts at $11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes.
- EarTrumpet has a free plan. iStat Menus does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only EarTrumpet lists a Windows app.
- Only iStat Menus lists a macOS app.
- Free
Twinkle Tray
Free brightness sliders for external monitors on Windows
- Twinkle Tray is free. iStat Menus starts at $11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes.
- Twinkle Tray has a free plan. iStat Menus does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Twinkle Tray lists a Windows app.
- Only iStat Menus lists a macOS app.
- Free
KeepingYouAwake
Menu bar utility that stops a Mac from going to sleep
- KeepingYouAwake is free. iStat Menus starts at $11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes.
- KeepingYouAwake has a free plan. iStat Menus does not, though it has a free trial.
- KeepingYouAwake is open source, according to its own site.
- iStat Menus can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Common questions
Is there an open-source alternative to iStat Menus?
Yes. Stats, SwiftBar, Karabiner-Elements, Maccy, Thaw, Hidden Bar, MonitorControl, Mac Mouse Fix and 24 more are open source, according to their own sites.
Is iStat Menus open source?
iStat Menus is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.
Which of these desktop utilities are free?
Stats, SwiftBar, Karabiner-Elements, Maccy, Thaw, Hidden Bar, MonitorControl, boring.notch and 23 more are free or have a free plan.
When was this checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to iStat Menus: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.