The Stats Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Stats in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Stats
The Insider’s Guide
Free, open-source system monitor for the Mac menu bar
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from Stats’s own pages.
Made by exelban · checked Oct 5, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Stats’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Stats’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 5, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 57 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade
Stats is a free, open-source system monitor that lives in the macOS menu bar. Its nine modules cover CPU, GPU, RAM, disk, network, sensors, battery, Bluetooth devices and a clock, and each can be shown in one of 13 widget styles such as charts, numbers or gauges. It runs on Apple silicon and Intel Macs with macOS 12 or newer and is maintained by a solo developer.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Stats, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No store rating on record, but there's nothing to set up: install it and the readings appear in the menu bar.
- 1
Best for free system readings in the Mac menu bar
Stats is a free, open-source Mac app that puts CPU, GPU, RAM, disk, network, sensors and battery readings in the menu bar.
- 2
It is free
Stats has no paid plan at all. The whole app is free and open source, with no subscriptions. System Stats, a separate remote monitoring service from the same developer, has paid plans.
- 3
It runs on macOS
macOS.
- 4
CPU and GPU
Real-time CPU load, frequency and temperature with a list of the most demanding processes, plus GPU utilization, memory and temperature for Intel, AMD and Apple silicon graphics.
- 5
RAM and disk
Memory pressure, used and free RAM, swap and the top memory-consuming apps, along with free and used disk space, read and write activity and SMART health for each drive.
- 6
Network
Upload and download speeds, total data usage, and local and public IP addresses.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 57 of 94
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Stats is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Stats at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS
- Made by
- exelban
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for free system readings in the Mac menu bar
Stats is a free, open-source Mac app that puts CPU, GPU, RAM, disk, network, sensors and battery readings in the menu bar. Fan control is in legacy mode with no updates or fixes, the Sensors and Bluetooth modules are its least efficient, macOS betas aren't supported, and one solo developer keeps it going, with GitHub issues as the only help. It's Mac only, from macOS 12.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free and open source under the MIT licence, a download anyone can run, with no subscriptions and optional donations. System Stats, a separate remote monitoring service from the same developer, is where the paid plans are. |
| Free plan and trial | A | All 9 modules and 13 widget styles are free, as a direct download or through Homebrew. Nothing in the app is held back for paying users. |
| Features | C | Menu bar readings are its one job and it covers them: CPU load and temperature with the hungriest processes, GPU, memory pressure, disk and SMART health, network speeds, sensors, battery cycles, Bluetooth levels. Fan control is the hole: the listing says it's legacy, with no updates or fixes. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record, but there's nothing to set up: install it and the readings appear in the menu bar. A tip from the developer, turning off the Sensors and Bluetooth modules can cut its CPU use by up to 50% in some cases. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Mac only, on Apple silicon and Intel Macs with macOS 12 or newer. Beta versions of macOS aren't supported. The one hook-up is System Stats, for watching a Mac from another device. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Stats is for
- Fits if you want CPU, memory and network readings in the Mac menu bar at no cost
- Works for Apple silicon and Intel Macs on macOS 12 or newer
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want to control your fans, since that part is in legacy mode with no updates or fixes
- Not for you if you run macOS betas, which aren't supported, or Windows or Linux
- Too light for anyone who needs a support line, as one solo developer handles problems through GitHub issues
- Watch out: the Sensors and Bluetooth modules are the least efficient, and turning them off can cut its CPU use by up to 50%
Good to know
Good for
- Mac users who want system readings in the menu bar without buying a license
- People who want to inspect or modify the source code of their system monitor
- Both Apple silicon and Intel Macs running macOS 12 or newer
Worth knowing
- macOS only. It supports macOS 12 Monterey and newer, and beta versions of macOS are not supported.
- Fan control is in legacy mode and receives no updates or fixes.
- The Sensors and Bluetooth modules are the least efficient; the developer says disabling them can cut the app's CPU use by up to 50% in some cases.
- It is maintained by a solo developer, and the FAQ points users with problems to the project's GitHub issues.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Stats is free to use.
Free and open source under the MIT licence, a download anyone can run, with no subscriptions and optional donations.
Stats
$0
All 9 modules and 13 widget styles, as a direct download or through Homebrew. Open source under the MIT license; donations are optional.
The free plan
The whole app is free and open source, with no subscriptions. System Stats, a separate remote monitoring service from the same developer, has paid plans.
Read from mac-stats.com on Oct 5, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: macOS
Free, open-source system monitor for the Mac menu bar. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, works offline, menu bar app, system monitor.
Fan control is the hole: the listing says it's legacy, with no updates or fixes.
- CPU and GPU
- Real-time CPU load, frequency and temperature with a list of the most demanding processes, plus GPU utilization, memory and temperature for Intel, AMD and Apple silicon graphics.
- RAM and disk
- Memory pressure, used and free RAM, swap and the top memory-consuming apps, along with free and used disk space, read and write activity and SMART health for each drive.
- Network
- Upload and download speeds, total data usage, and local and public IP addresses.
- Sensors, battery and Bluetooth
- Temperature, voltage, power and fan-speed sensors, battery charge, health and cycle count, and the battery levels of connected Bluetooth devices.
- 13 widget styles
- Each module can appear in the menu bar as a chart, a number, a gauge or a dot, and widgets can be combined, reordered and recolored.
- Remote module
- Stats can stream metrics to System Stats, a separate web dashboard service from the same developer, so a Mac can be monitored from another device.
Where it runs
- macOS
What it works with
- System Stats
Stats is made by exelban.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
57/94
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
Stats's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 57 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 26.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 49 of 94) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Stats has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 95 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. Stats’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 24 of 94
- AFree plan and trialAbove 49 of 94
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 94
- BEase of useAbove 33 of 94
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 94
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 55 desktop utilities. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Stats is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Stats is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
What you could not
- Readings from inside the operating system.
- A native app living in the menu bar.
- A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
- Hooks into the device itself: widgets.
What this rests on. Stats’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
iStat Menus, SwiftBar and CleanMyMac
The 3 tools Stats is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
iStat Menus
Free trial · from $11.99 one-time
System monitor that lives in the Mac menu bar.
- 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.
- 2.4GPA
SwiftBar
Free
Open-source tool that puts script output in the Mac menu bar.
- Stats also covers system monitor.
- 1.8GPA
CleanMyMac
Free trial · from $39.99/yr
Mac cleanup, malware removal and maintenance in one app.
- Stats has a free plan. CleanMyMac does not, though it has a free trial.
- Stats is open source, according to its own site.
- CleanMyMac can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Stats free?
Yes. Stats is free to use.
How much does Stats cost?
Stats lists one plan. Stats: $0.
What platforms does Stats work on?
Stats is available on macOS.
Does Stats have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Stats is listed for macOS.
Does Stats have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Stats is listed for macOS.
Is Stats open source?
Yes. Stats is open source, according to its own site.
Does Stats work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
What does Stats integrate with?
Stats's listing names System Stats. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Stats?
Stats is made by exelban.
What are the alternatives to Stats?
The closest alternatives to Stats in our directory are iStat Menus, SwiftBar and CleanMyMac.
How does Stats compare with other desktop utilities?
Stats's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 57 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 26.
Is Stats good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Stats A for value for money. Stats has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Stats?
Stats is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Stats’s own pages on Oct 5, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Stats' own pages on 5 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-01-19.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by exelban. Prices change, so check mac-stats.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Stats, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/stats
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Stats: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 5, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/stats
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/stats/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
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- Desktop Utilities Insider's GuideEvery one of the 95 desktop utilities we grade, compared
- LocalSend Insider's GuideOpen-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud3.2 GPA
- Ninite Insider's GuideInstalls and updates many Windows apps at once3.2 GPA
- 7-Zip Insider's GuideFree, open-source file archiver with the 7z format3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Stats’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Stats is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by exelban. Prices and plans change: check mac-stats.com before you buy.