Compare software

Vanilla vs Bartender: catalog facts
Vanilla	Bartender
Best for: Mac users who want a cleaner menu bar with little setup	Best for: Menu bar organizer for Mac that hides, sorts and automates menu bar icons
Free + paid options Free to use, with a paid Vanilla Pro upgrade for extra features.	Paid Paid Mac utility with a free trial.
macOS	macOS
Very simple setup Free version covers basic icon hiding All 3 strengths for Vanilla Very simple setup Free version covers basic icon hiding Pro adds a toggle shortcut and auto-hide	Cleans up crowded menu bars without removing functionality Automation rules reduce manual clicking
Shortcut, auto-hide and start at login require Pro macOS only	Mac only Paid license required after the trial
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Not open source	Not open source
License not stated	License not stated
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Offline features available	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Vanilla matthewpalmer.net/vanilla Catalog checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Bartender macbartender.com Catalog checked September 22, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.