System monitor and tune-up apps for MacHead to head
iStat Menus vs Stats
iStat Menus ranks #1 and Stats ranks #2 in our guide to the best system monitor and tune-up apps for Mac. iStat Menus is our pick for most people, and Stats is the best free option.
iStat MenusPick iStat Menus if you want to know at a glance what spun up your fans or filled your memory.$11.99 onceBest free
StatsPick Stats if CPU, memory and temperature graphs in the menu bar are all you need, for free.Free, open sourceWhat decides it
- Stats costs less over 3 years: Free, against $11.99 for iStat Menus.
- Both run on Mac.
- iStat Menus is included with a Setapp subscription; Stats isn't.
Side by side
Prices are checked every day.
| At a glance | iStat Menus | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $11.99 once after a 14-day free trial. The Family License is $14.99 | Free and open source |
| How you pay | Pay once | Free |
| 3 years of use | $11.99 | Free Cheaper |
| Free trial | Yes | Free to start |
| Runs on | Mac | Mac |
| Where to buy | Developer, App Store, Setapp | Developer |
| Features | Menu bar app, Free trial, Privacy, Family Sharing | Menu bar app, Open source |
| Made by | Bjango Pty Ltd | Not listed |
| Last updated | 27 May 2026 | 2 Nov 2026 |
Who should get which
Get iStat Menus if
You want to know what spun up your Mac's fans or ate your memory, at a glance.
Get Stats if
You want CPU, memory and temperatures always in view without paying for a system monitor.
Skip iStat Menus if
You glance at CPU usage once in a while, and the free Stats app or Activity Monitor is plenty.
Skip Stats if
You want weather, alerts and a more polished design in 1 app, which iStat Menus delivers for $11.99.
Our verdicts
iStat Menus
For $11.99 once, or $14.99 for a 5-person family license, iStat Menus puts live CPU, GPU, memory, disk, network, temperature and battery readings in your menu bar with a detailed drop-down behind each. It also shows AirPods battery and weather, and alerts you when disk space runs low. Buy it direct, because the Mac App Store version can't control fan speeds, and the free Stats app already covers basic graphs.
Stats
Put your Mac's CPU, GPU, memory, disk, network, battery and sensor readings in the menu bar as small graphs or numbers, each opening a drop-down with more detail. It even shows battery levels for Bluetooth devices. This free, open source app covers most of what people buy iStat Menus for, though iStat Menus at $11.99 adds weather, alerts and a more polished design.
What each one helps you do
iStat Menus
- Spot the app hogging your CPU or memory
- Watch temperatures and control fan speeds
- Check your AirPods battery from the menu bar
- Get alerted when disk space runs low
Stats
- See CPU and memory use at a glance
- Check sensor temperatures and power draw
- Watch your network speed live
- See battery levels for Bluetooth devices
Where to get them
iStat Menus
$11.99 once after a 14-day free trial. The Family License is $14.99
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From the developerIncludes a 14-day free trial$11.99Get it
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Mac App StoreWith in-app purchases$11.99Mac App Store
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IncludedTry Setapp
Stats
Free and open source
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From the developerNeeds macOS 12 or later; also installs with HomebrewFreeGet it
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Neither one quite right?
The other picks in our guide to the best system monitor and tune-up apps for Mac.
SuperchargePick it if you want to fix small Finder, Dock and Mission Control annoyances rather than watch stats.$20 once
OnyXPick this if you like tinkering and want maintenance jobs and extra settings without opening Terminal.Free
Read the full guideAll iStat Menus alternativesAll Stats alternatives