boring.notch vs Dropzone

boring.notch

• MacBook owners who want media controls in the notch area
• People who share files by AirDrop and want a drop target at the top of the screen
• Anyone looking for a free, open-source notch app

Dropzone

• Mac users who move, copy and upload files by drag and drop all day
• People who want a temporary shelf for files while switching apps
• Scripters who want to write their own drop actions in Ruby or Python

boring.notch

• macOS only. The README requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later, while the website's download card says macOS 13 Ventura or later.
• The team has no Apple Developer account, so macOS blocks the first launch until a Terminal command or a System Settings override is used; the Homebrew install avoids this.
• Bluetooth live activities, weather, customizable layouts, lock screen widgets and an extension system are on the roadmap but not marked as done.
• YouTube Music support needs version 3.11 or later of the YouTube Music (Pear Desktop) app.

Dropzone

• macOS only; Dropzone 5 requires macOS 13 or later.
• Amazon S3 and SFTP uploads, add-on actions, action keyboard shortcuts and unlimited grids are Pro features.
• On the Mac App Store, Pro is a subscription unless you buy the $34.99 lifetime unlock, and Pro features stop when a subscription ends.
• Dropzone 5 Pro is a paid upgrade for Dropzone 4 owners, at up to 50% off with a Dropzone 4 serial number.

boring.notch

Music controls in the notch

Shows what is playing with a visualizer and playback controls that can be rearranged, including 15-second skips, app volume and favorites, plus synchronized lyrics in beta.

File shelf with AirDrop

Dragging files to the notch opens a shelf that holds them for AirDrop and other sharing services, with multi-item selection and a right-click menu of file actions.

System HUD replacement

Replaces the macOS on-screen indicators for volume, screen brightness and keyboard backlight with its own display in the notch, with optional percentages.

Calendar and reminders

Calendar and reminders integrations are built in, with settings to hide all-day events, scroll automatically to the current or next event and stop long event names being cut off.

Mirror and battery indicator

The project roadmap marks two further additions as done: a mirror, and a charging indicator that shows the current battery percentage.

Lock screen and screenshot options

The notch can appear on the lock screen, can be hidden from screenshots and recordings, and its size and gestures can be adjusted for different displays.

Dropzone

Action grid

Dragging a file makes Dropzone appear at the top of the screen; dropping it on an action moves, copies, shares or uploads it. The grid also opens from the menu bar item.

Drop Bar

A temporary holding place for files: drag items on, then drag them off into another app or onto an action. Pro can detach it into a floating window and name its stacks.

Multiple grids

Actions can be arranged in several grids and switched between, with adjustable columns and grid size. Adding unlimited grids and categories is listed as a Pro feature.

Sharing and uploads

Built-in actions send files by AirDrop, upload images to Imgur for a shareable link and shorten URLs with TinyURL. Amazon S3 and SFTP uploading need Pro.

Add-on actions

A library of add-on actions installs from inside the app, and new actions can be written in Ruby or Python. Installing or developing add-ons is listed as a Pro feature.

Keyboard and terminal control

F3 or a custom shortcut opens the grid from any application, and the dz command-line tool runs actions, adds files to Drop Bar and switches grids.

boring.notch

• boring.notch$0

  Every feature, as a universal build for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs from GitHub Releases or Homebrew. No account or license key.

Dropzone

• Dropzone 5 (free)$0

  Free download from aptonic.com or the Mac App Store with the action grid, Drop Bar and built-in actions.

• Dropzone 5 Pro Monthly$4.99

  per month, auto-renewing (US Mac App Store)

  Pro features and all app updates while subscribed, after a 14-day free trial. Pro features stop if the subscription is cancelled.

• Dropzone 5 Pro Yearly$19.99

  per year (US Mac App Store in-app purchase)

  The same Pro subscription billed once a year through the Mac App Store.

• Dropzone 5 Pro Lifetime (App Store)$34.99

  one-time in-app purchase (US Mac App Store)

  Lifetime unlock of the Pro features in the Mac App Store edition.

• Dropzone 5 Pro Lifetime (direct)$35

  one-time purchase, lifetime license

  Lifetime license for the version downloaded from aptonic.com, registered with a serial number.

boring.notch

No public discounts listed.

Dropzone

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime Pro license for $35

  Dropzone 5 Pro is sold as a lifetime license for $35 from aptonic.com, or as a $34.99 lifetime in-app purchase on the Mac App Store.

• Annual discount

  Yearly Pro subscription for $19.99

  On the Mac App Store, Pro costs $4.99 a month or $19.99 a year. Twelve monthly payments would come to $59.88.

• Other savings

  Up to 50% off for Dropzone 4 owners

  Entering a Dropzone 4 serial number on the vendor's upgrade page gives a discount of up to 50% on Dropzone 5 Pro.