Collection
Small menu bar apps worth the space next to the clock
Space in the menu bar is tight, especially on a MacBook with a notch, so each app here does 1 job you want within a click. Most are free or cost less than $12 once.
10 apps6 free to startMac, iPhone, iPad
What gets an app in: An app gets in when it runs from the Mac menu bar and handles 1 focused job; big apps that only add a menu bar shortcut stay out.
- 1
Hand MirrorA camera check before a call is exactly the kind of 2 second job the menu bar is for.Free to start - 2
TotPuts 7 colored scratchpads 1 click from the clock, for text you need to paste often.Free to start - 3
LungoA $4 switch that keeps the screen awake during a presentation, then lets the Mac sleep again.$4 once - 4
ItsycalSwaps the plain date by the clock for a month view with your next meetings, free.Free, open source - 5
PCalcA full scientific calculator that drops down from the menu bar instead of opening a window.$9.99 once - 6
LunarControls an external monitor's brightness from the menu bar, with no fiddly buttons on the monitor itself.Free to start - 7
DropzoneWaits in the menu bar until you drag a file, then offers a grid of places to drop it.Free to start - 8
iStat MenusPuts temperatures, network speed and AirPods battery by the clock, with a detailed dropdown behind each.$11.99 once - 9
Hidden BarThe free way to keep the rest of this collection from crowding a notched MacBook menu bar.Free, open source - 10
TimingRecords your time from the menu bar with no timer to start, so the log fills itself.From $9
