Compare software

Vanilla vs Pelmet: catalog facts
Vanilla	Pelmet
Best for: Mac users who want a cleaner menu bar with little setup	Best for: Mac users who want to organize a crowded menu bar
Free + paid options Free to use, with a paid Vanilla Pro upgrade for extra features.	Free Free and open source under GPLv3.
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	Arranges icons into visible and hidden groups Reveals hidden icons on hover or click All 3 strengths for Pelmet Arranges icons into visible and hidden groups Reveals hidden icons on hover or click Can search for and launch menu bar apps
Shortcut, auto-hide and start at login require Pro macOS only	Requires macOS 27 or later
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Not open source	Open source
License not stated	License: GPL-3.0
No account needed	No account 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 Pelmet pelmet.fif7y.com Catalog checked October 8, 2026

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