NotchNook
Music, calendar, notes, a to-do list, timers, a mirror and a file Tray, on Apple silicon and Intel Macs, with or without a notch.
The best notch apps for Mac.
Seven apps that put the MacBook notch to work, from all-in-one panels to focused HUDs and file shelves. We make NotchNook, so it is first on our list. Every other app is described from its own official sources, and we say plainly where each one shines.
7 apps compared·Facts from official sources·Updated October 2026
Quick picks
The short answer.
Boring Notch
Free, open source and community-built.
Alcove
A polished Dynamic Island with notifications.
DynamicLake
Packed with extras, from calls to plugins.
Bartender Pro
A menu bar manager, now with a shelf in the notch.
MediaMate
Sleek volume, brightness and Now Playing HUDs.
Atoll
Free, open source and full of system tools.
The list
Seven notch apps, one by one.
1. NotchNook
NotchNook turns the notch into a Nook that opens when you point at it or swipe down on the trackpad. Inside: music controls with a source picker and scrubber, your calendar with an upcoming-event live activity, notes with bold, italic and underline, a to-do list with favorites and auto-archive, timers with haptic wheels and 1-minute to 1-hour presets, a camera mirror, and a file Tray that takes multi-file drops, pastes from the clipboard, sends with AirDrop and keeps your files across restarts. Live activities cover battery, Bluetooth and upcoming events, and it can replace the volume and brightness HUDs.
2. Boring Notch
Boring Notch is a free, open-source notch app (GPL-3.0) built by the community, with music controls, a calendar, a file shelf with AirDrop, a mirror and volume and brightness HUD replacements.
3. Alcove
Alcove is a polished Dynamic Island-style app for the notch, with live activities, notifications, lock screen widgets and customizable HUDs, sold as a one-time purchase.
4. DynamicLake
DynamicLake is a feature-packed notch app with music, calendar and weather, message notifications with replies, call handling, a file manager with AirDrop, a timer and plugins, sold as a one-time purchase.
5. Bartender Pro
Bartender Pro is a yearly subscription to the Bartender menu bar manager that adds Top Shelf: a notch panel with audio and music controls, live weather, a calendar, a clipboard manager, file storage with AirDrop and live activities for AI coding agents.
6. MediaMate
MediaMate replaces the macOS volume, display brightness and keyboard brightness HUDs with compact new ones in iOS, circular, notch or classic styles, and adds a Now Playing HUD with play/pause and scrubbing that can sit inside the notch.
7. Atoll
Atoll is a free, open-source (GPL-3.0) Dynamic Island for macOS built on Boring Notch, with media controls, live activities, lock screen widgets, system stats, timers, clipboard history, a color picker, calendar previews and a file Shelf.
At a glance
Price, trial and Mac support.
"Not listed" means the app's official sources don't mention it.
| App | Price | Free trial | Requires | Intel Macs | Open source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NotchNook | Relaunch: US$2/month, for as long as your subscription stays active, or US$15 lifetime. Offer ends October 13. Regular price: US$3/month or US$25. | 48 hours, no card | macOS 14.6 or later | Yes | No |
| Boring Notch | Free (donations welcome) | Not needed: it is free | macOS 14 or later | Yes | Yes, GPL-3.0 |
| Alcove | US$14.99 one-time | 72 hours | macOS 15 or later | Not listed | No |
| DynamicLake | US$13.99 one-time | No trial | macOS 14 or later | Not listed | No |
| Bartender Pro | US$15/year (includes Bartender); a lifetime Mega Supporter option is also offered | 14 days | Not listed for Top Shelf; Bartender 6 is built for macOS 15 and macOS 26 | Bartender 6 runs on Intel Macs; not stated for Top Shelf | No |
| MediaMate | Pay what you want, from €6.99 one-time | Yes, a Tryout Mode (length not listed) | macOS 13 or later | Yes, all Macs are supported | No |
| Atoll | Free (sponsorships welcome) | Not needed: it is free | macOS 14 or later (optimized for macOS 15) | Not listed | Yes, GPL-3.0 |
How to choose
Pick by what you will actually use.
Start with your day.
If you want music, calendar, notes, tasks, timers and files in one place, pick an all-in-one app. If you only want nicer volume and brightness indicators, a HUD app is enough.
Check macOS and your chip.
Requirements range from macOS 13 to macOS 15. If you have an Intel Mac, look for an app that says it supports one.
Make sure it has a fallback.
On a Mac without a notch, or on an external display, you need an app that shows its panel at the top of the screen without a physical notch.
Monthly, yearly, once or free.
Notch apps come free and open source, as one-time purchases and as subscriptions. A free trial is the best way to know if an app earns its spot.
We make NotchNook. Facts about other apps come only from their official websites, GitHub pages and release notes, checked on October 6, 2026. When an app's official sources don't mention a feature, we say "Not listed", never "No". Spotted something out of date? Write to support@getnotchnook.com and we'll fix it.
What is the best notch app for Mac?
It depends on what you want in the notch. For an all-in-one panel with music, calendar, notes, a to-do list, timers, a mirror and a file Tray, we recommend NotchNook (we make it, so try it free for 48 hours and judge for yourself). For a free, open-source option, look at Boring Notch or Atoll; for notifications, Alcove; for messages and calls, DynamicLake.
Are there free notch apps for Mac?
Yes. Boring Notch and Atoll are free and open source under GPL-3.0. NotchNook has a 48-hour free trial with every feature and no card.
Which notch apps work on macOS 26 Tahoe?
NotchNook runs on macOS 14.6 or later, including macOS 26 Tahoe. According to their official sources, Alcove needs macOS 15 or later, Boring Notch, DynamicLake and Atoll need macOS 14 or later, and MediaMate needs macOS 13 or later; Bartender 6, which carries Top Shelf, is built for macOS Tahoe and Sequoia.
Do notch apps work on Macs without a notch?
Some do. NotchNook shows a slim handle at the top of the screen that opens the same Nook, and Alcove, Boring Notch, DynamicLake and Bartender Pro's Top Shelf also list support for Macs without a notch.
Which notch apps support Intel Macs?
NotchNook is a universal app for Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Boring Notch and MediaMate also list Intel support, and Bartender 6 runs on Intel Macs.
Is there a NotchNook alternative?
Yes, several, and this page compares them. NotchNook itself is actively developed: version 1.6.3 came out in September 2026, is ready for macOS 26 Tahoe, and is available from getnotchnook.com.
Where should I download notch apps?
From each developer's official website or the Mac App Store. NotchNook's only official download is getnotchnook.com/download; copies on other sites may be outdated or modified.
Try it free
Your Mac’s notch, actually useful.
Every feature free for 48 hours. No card needed.
Welcome-back prices until October 13. US$2/month, for as long as your subscription stays active, or US$15 for a lifetime license.