At a glance.
| App | Price | License | Requires | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FunNotch | Free | GPL-3.0 | macOS 14+ | funnotch.xyz |
| BoringNotch | Free | GPL-3.0 | macOS 14+ | GitHub |
| Atoll | Free | GPL-3.0 | macOS 14+ | GitHub |
| MewNotch | Free | GPL-3.0 | See its README | GitHub |
| NotchDrop | Free if you build it | MIT | See its README | GitHub |
| Notchly | Free | MIT | macOS 14.6+ | GitHub |
| Alcove | $14.99 | Not advertised | macOS 15+ | tryalcove.com |
| NotchNook | $25 once or $3/month, last listed | Not advertised | macOS 14.6+ | Archived page |
The eight apps.
1. FunNotch
The widest toolkit: music, a file shelf, clipboard history, a focus timer that blocks apps and sites, notes, thirteen widgets and Claude Code status.
Best for: People who want one app for music, files, clipboard and focus, at no cost. Price: Free. License: GPL-3.0. Source: funnotch.xyz.
2. BoringNotch
The original open-source notch app: music with a visualizer, calendar and reminders, a file shelf with AirDrop, a camera mirror and HUD replacements. Installs through Homebrew.
Best for: People who want the most established project and its community. Price: Free. License: GPL-3.0. Source: GitHub.
3. Atoll
A Dynamic Island-style hub built on BoringNotch’s foundations, with media controls, timers, clipboard history, a color picker, calendar previews and system stats.
Best for: People who want live activities and stats in an open-source app. Price: Free. License: GPL-3.0. Source: GitHub.
4. MewNotch
A HUD-first app: brightness, volume and power HUDs in the notch, a now-playing HUD, a file shelf that persists, and a notch on the lock screen. Installs through Homebrew.
Best for: People who mainly want better volume and brightness HUDs. Price: Free. License: GPL-3.0. Source: GitHub.
5. NotchDrop
Does one thing: a place in the notch to hold files temporarily and send them with AirDrop.
Best for: People who only want a drop zone. Price: Free if you build it. License: MIT. Source: GitHub.
6. Notchly
A lightweight Dynamic Island with music controls, battery status, lock screen support, gestures and Codex alerts.
Best for: People who want something small and light. Price: Free. License: MIT. Source: GitHub.
7. Alcove
A polished paid app that leads with instant notifications, Live Activities, customizable HUDs, Lock Screen widgets and swipe gestures.
Best for: People who want iPhone-style notifications and are happy to pay. Price: $14.99. License: Not advertised. Source: tryalcove.com.
8. NotchNook
A paid app with widgets, live actions and a file shelf. Its official page was unavailable when this was checked.
Best for: Check the publisher’s current status before buying. Price: $25 once or $3/month, last listed. License: Not advertised. Source: Archived page.
How to choose.
- You want the most features for free: FunNotch or Atoll. FunNotch adds focus sessions that block apps and websites, daily notes and Claude Code status.
- You want the original, with the biggest community: BoringNotch.
- You only want better volume and brightness HUDs: MewNotch.
- You only want a place to drop files: NotchDrop.
- You want notifications and Lock Screen widgets: Alcove, which is paid and needs macOS 15.
All of the free apps here are open source, so you can read what they do before you run them. Most are not notarized by Apple and need one extra step on first launch.
How this list was made.
Each entry was checked against the app’s own README or website on the date shown, and descriptions stay close to what each project says about itself. Nothing here was benchmarked, and no app was ranked on performance. FunNotch is listed first because this is its website, not because of a score. Features and prices change, so treat the linked sources as the final word. Spotted a mistake? Open an issue.
Common questions.
What is the best free notch app for Mac?
It depends on what you want. FunNotch has the widest set of tools, BoringNotch is the most established, and Atoll, MewNotch, NotchDrop and Notchly each focus on something narrower. All six are free.
Are notch apps safe?
The open-source ones can be inspected, which is the strongest assurance available. Download from the project’s official GitHub releases or website, not a mirror.
Do notch apps work on Macs without a notch?
Some do. FunNotch draws a floating island on displays without a notch, and NotchNook’s FAQ said it does something similar. Check each app’s page for the others.