SwiftBar
Open-source tool that puts script output in the Mac menu bar
What is SwiftBar?
SwiftBar is an open-source macOS app that turns the output of a script into a menu bar item with a drop-down menu. A plugin is any executable script, in any language, saved in a plugin folder with its refresh interval in the file name. SwiftBar also runs existing BitBar and xbar plugins and bundles a plugin repository. It is MIT licensed, published by Ameba Labs, and installed from GitHub Releases or Homebrew.
SwiftBar is free to use. See every plan
Good for
- Mac users comfortable writing shell, Python or other scripts
- People who already have BitBar or xbar plugins
- Showing custom status readouts or quick actions in the menu bar
Worth knowing
- macOS only; it runs on macOS Monterey (12) and later.
- It shows nothing by itself: every menu bar item needs a plugin script, taken from the plugin repository or written by the user.
- Every file in the plugin folder is imported as a plugin and made executable unless a .swiftbarignore file excludes it.
- Several preferences, such as hiding SwiftBar's own item, are not in the settings window and are set with Terminal commands.
Key features
- Plugins are plain scripts
- Any executable script in the language of your choice becomes a menu bar item: the lines it prints before the first separator form the title, and the rest fill the drop-down menu.
- Refresh intervals and cron schedules
- A refresh interval goes in the file name, as in date.1m.sh, from milliseconds up to days. A metadata tag accepts cron syntax for one or several schedules instead.
- BitBar and xbar compatibility
- The plugin format is adopted from BitBar and xbar, so existing plugins for those run unchanged, and a Get Plugins menu item opens a bundled plugin repository.
- Formatting and click actions
- Per-line parameters set colors, fonts, SF Symbols, images, badges and tooltips, and make an item open a URL, run a script, show a web view or respond to a hotkey.
- Shortcuts and streaming plugins
- Beyond standard scripts, an Apple Shortcut can supply the menu content, ephemeral plugins create temporary items on demand, and streamable plugins stay running to push updates.
- URL scheme
- swiftbar:// links refresh, enable, disable or add plugins, post notifications and create temporary menu bar items, so other apps and scripts can drive it.
SwiftBar pricing
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- The whole app is open source under the MIT license, downloaded from GitHub Releases or installed with Homebrew. No paid edition is listed; the repository carries a sponsor link.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| SwiftBar | $0 | The complete app with every plugin type and the bundled plugin repository. MIT licensed, with no license key or account. |
Read from github.com on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with SwiftBar before you buy.
Works with
- Apple Shortcuts
- xbar
SwiftBar alternatives
- SwiftBar vs iStat Menus
Free trial · from $11.99 one-time
- SwiftBar vs Bartender
Free trial · from $19.99/yr
Common questions
Is SwiftBar free?
Yes. SwiftBar is free to use. The whole app is open source under the MIT license, downloaded from GitHub Releases or installed with Homebrew. No paid edition is listed; the repository carries a sponsor link.
How much does SwiftBar cost?
SwiftBar lists one plan. SwiftBar: $0. Prices were read from github.com on Oct 9, 2026.
What platforms does SwiftBar work on?
SwiftBar is available on macOS.
Does SwiftBar have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. SwiftBar is listed for macOS.
Does SwiftBar have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. SwiftBar is listed for macOS.
Is SwiftBar open source?
Yes. SwiftBar is open source, according to its own site.
What does SwiftBar integrate with?
SwiftBar's listing names Apple Shortcuts and xbar. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes SwiftBar?
SwiftBar is made by Ameba Labs.
What are the alternatives to SwiftBar?
The closest alternatives to SwiftBar in our directory are Hammerspoon, Stats, iStat Menus and Bartender. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with SwiftBar.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026.