The short answer.
FunNotch and BoringNotch are free and open source under GPL-3.0. Alcove costs $14.99. NotchNook was last listed at $25 once or $3 a month, and its official page was unavailable when this was checked. FunNotch is the one that puts searchable clipboard history, focus sessions that block apps and websites, and daily notes in the notch alongside music and a file shelf.
| Feature | FunNotch | BoringNotch | NotchNook | Alcove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 Every feature included | $0 | $25 once, or $3/month Last listed price | $14.99 |
| Source code | Open source GPL-3.0 | Open source GPL-3.0 | Not advertised* | Not advertised* |
| Built around | Music, file shelf, clipboard, focus, notes, calendar | Music, calendar, file shelf, mirror, battery, HUD | Widgets, live actions, file shelf | Notifications, Live Activities, HUDs, Lock Screen widgets |
| Searchable clipboard history | Included | Not listed* | Not listed* | Not listed* |
| Focus with app and website blocking | Included | Not listed* | Not listed* | Not listed* |
| Daily notes | Included | Not listed* | Not listed* | Not listed* |
| Make it yours | 13 closed-notch widgets, a home grid you compose, themes | Gestures and notch sizing | Configurable widgets and layout | Swipe gestures, customizable HUDs |
| Works without a notch | Yes, as a floating island | Not listed* | Yes, per its FAQ | Not listed* |
| Requires | macOS 14 or later | macOS 14 or later | macOS 14.6 or later | macOS 15 or later |
| Source checked | GitHub, Oct 9, 2026 | Site and README, Oct 9, 2026 | Archived page, Aug 20, 2026 | Site, Oct 9, 2026 |
FunNotch vs BoringNotch.
Both are free, both are open source under GPL-3.0, and both need macOS 14 Sonoma or later. BoringNotch got to the idea first: FunNotch began as a rebuild of it and still credits it as its inspiration. BoringNotch documents music controls with a visualizer, calendar and reminders, a file shelf with AirDrop, a camera mirror, a charging indicator, gestures and replacements for the system volume and brightness HUDs. It also installs through Homebrew and has a larger community.
FunNotch covers the same everyday ground and adds the tools BoringNotch does not list: searchable clipboard history with pinning, focus sessions that block distracting apps and websites, a daily notes tab, weather, thirteen widgets for the closed notch and a home screen you arrange yourself.
Choose BoringNotch if you want the original project and its community, or a Homebrew install. Choose FunNotch if you want clipboard, focus and notes in the same app.
FunNotch vs NotchNook.
NotchNook is a paid app from lo.cafe. Its official page last listed it at $25 for a one-time license covering five devices, or $3 a month for two, and described widgets, live actions, a file shelf and swipe gestures on macOS 14.6 or later. It does not advertise a public source license.
When this page was checked on October 9, 2026, NotchNook’s official product page was unavailable, so the price above is the last one it listed (archived August 20, 2026). Check the publisher’s current terms before you buy.
If you are looking for a free NotchNook alternative, FunNotch gives you a file shelf, media controls and widgets with no purchase, subscription or license key, plus clipboard history, focus sessions and notes. There is no license server to depend on, and its source is public.
FunNotch vs Alcove.
Alcove is a paid app at $14.99 for macOS 15 or later. Its site leads with instant notifications, Live Activities, customizable HUDs, Lock Screen widgets and swipe gestures. It does not advertise a public source license, a file shelf, clipboard history or focus blocking.
Choose Alcove if iPhone-style notifications and Lock Screen widgets are what you want from the notch. Choose FunNotch if your priorities are files, clipboard history, focus sessions and notes, if you are still on macOS 14, or if you want a free app whose code you can read.
What you get with FunNotch.
- Music controls for Apple Music, Spotify and browser media, with artwork, a live spectrum and a seek bar.
- A drag-and-drop file shelf that opens as you drag toward the notch, with AirDrop and sharing.
- Searchable clipboard history with pinning and a 24-hour expiry by default.
- Focus sessions that block apps and websites, with Pomodoro cycles, a timer and a stopwatch.
- Daily notes saved as plain text on your Desktop.
- Thirteen widgets for the closed notch: battery, clock, date, weather, CPU, memory, disk, Wi-Fi and more.
- A HUD for volume, brightness and keyboard backlight that replaces the system overlay.
- No accounts, analytics or telemetry, and the code is public under GPL-3.0.
Common questions.
Is there a free Dynamic Island app for Mac?
Yes. FunNotch and BoringNotch are both free, open-source apps that turn the MacBook notch into a Dynamic Island-style panel. Neither has a paid tier or a subscription.
What is a free alternative to NotchNook or Alcove?
FunNotch is a free alternative to both. It includes media controls, a file shelf, clipboard history, focus sessions, notes and thirteen widgets at no cost. BoringNotch is another free option focused on music, calendar and a file shelf.
Is FunNotch a fork of BoringNotch?
FunNotch began as a rebuild of TheBoringNotch and credits it as the original inspiration. It is developed separately and has its own feature set.
Do these apps work on a Mac without a notch?
FunNotch does: on an external display or a Mac without a notch it draws a floating island at the top of the screen. NotchNook’s FAQ said it does the same. Check the other apps’ pages for their current behavior.
How this comparison was made.
Every cell comes from the publisher’s own pages on the date shown: the product site, the README or, for NotchNook, the most recent archived copy of its official page. Nothing here claims better performance or that an undocumented feature is missing. Features and prices change, so treat the linked sources as the final word. FunNotch’s own claims can be checked against its source code.
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