BitBar vs Thaw
Side-by-side comparison for macOS
BitBar
8.0Utility to display the output from any script or program in the menu bar
Thaw
7.0Menu bar manager
| Metric | BitBar | Thaw |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Utilities | Utilities |
| AI Score | 8.0 | 7.0 |
| 30-day Installs | 16 | 3.5K |
| 90-day Installs | 59 | 10.1K |
| 365-day Installs | 288 | 10.1K |
| Version | 1.10.1 | 1.2.0 |
| Auto-updates | No | Yes |
| Deprecated | Yes | No |
| GitHub Stars | 18.0K | 2.7K |
| GitHub Forks | 649 | 54 |
| Open Issues | 186 | 38 |
| License | MIT | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Go | Swift |
| Last GitHub Commit | 1y ago | 1mo ago |
| First Seen | Mar 22, 2015 | Feb 5, 2026 |
Reviews
BitBar
BitBar is a versatile utility that allows users to display the output of any script or program in the macOS menu bar, making it an excellent tool for developers and power users who want customizable system monitoring and quick access to script outputs.
Displays the output from any script or program in the macOS menu bar.
Pros
- + Highly customizable with support for any script or program output.
- + Flexible tool for system monitoring and quick access to information.
- + Open-source and MIT licensed, fostering community contributions.
Cons
- - No auto-update feature, requiring manual updates.
- - Some bugs and crashes reported, particularly with frequent refreshes.
Thaw
Thaw is a menu bar manager for macOS that offers customization and control over the menu bar items. It is a fork of Ice, designed to enhance the user experience by providing a sleek and functional interface. Users who value a clean and organized menu bar will benefit from this app.
Thaw allows users to customize and manage their macOS menu bar items.
Pros
- + Customizable menu bar items
- + Active development and updates
- + Forked from a well-known menu bar manager
Cons
- - Open bugs reported by users
- - Compatibility issues with macOS 26