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SPECIFICTION
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SaneBar

sanebar.com

Free plan macOS
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Spec score 7.5 #16 of 25 in Menu Bar Customization Software

What it is

SaneBar is a macOS utility for hiding menu bar apps and bringing their icons back when needed. Hidden items appear in a floating Icon Panel or a full-width Second Menu Bar, with search, a one-click toggle, keyboard shortcuts, and per-icon hotkeys for managing them. Automation options include AppleScript, Shortcuts, and triggers tied to battery level, Wi-Fi, Focus, app launches, schedules, or scripts. Users can import layouts from Bartender or Ice and move settings between Macs. Icons can be locked with Touch ID or a password. SaneBar is open source under the MIT License, with public source code. It keeps menu bar contents and personal files on the Mac; its privacy policy describes limited update requests and anonymous aggregate app counts. It requires macOS Accessibility permission and says Screen Recording is not needed for normal use. The free plan includes all features and requires macOS 14.0 Sonoma or later and Apple Silicon. The maker says most Apple menu extras and ordinary third-party menu bar apps work, though a few apps with unusual custom behavior may be exceptions.

Spec sheet

Purpose
SaneBar hides menu bar apps and lets users reveal and open them when needed.Read 29 Sep 2026 · sanebar.com
Privacy
The app keeps menu bar contents and personal files on the Mac; its privacy policy describes limited update requests and anonymous aggregate app counts.Read 29 Sep 2026 · sanebar.com
Support
The maker directs privacy questions and issue reports to GitHub.Read 29 Sep 2026 · sanebar.com
Maker
The product page says SaneBar is made in America by Mr. Sane and is part of SaneApps.Read 29 Sep 2026 · sanebar.com
Automation
It offers AppleScript and Shortcuts automation plus smart triggers for events such as battery level, Wi-Fi, Focus, app launch, schedule, and scripts.Read 29 Sep 2026 · sanebar.com
Compatibility limit
The maker says most Apple menu extras and normal third-party menu bar apps work, while a small number of apps with unusual custom behavior may be edge cases.Read 29 Sep 2026 · sanebar.com
Migration
Users can import icon layouts from Bartender or Ice and export or import settings between Macs.Read 29 Sep 2026 · sanebar.com
Open source
SaneBar is fully open source under the MIT License, and its source code is public.Read 29 Sep 2026 · sanebar.com
Permissions
SaneBar requires macOS Accessibility permission and says it does not require Screen Recording for normal use.Read 29 Sep 2026 · sanebar.com
Protection
SaneBar includes Touch ID and password locking for icons.Read 29 Sep 2026 · sanebar.com
Search and shortcuts
SaneBar supports icon search, a one-click hide and show toggle, keyboard shortcuts, and per-icon hotkeys.Read 29 Sep 2026 · sanebar.com
Views
Users can browse hidden icons in a floating Icon Panel or a full-width Second Menu Bar.Read 29 Sep 2026 · sanebar.com

Plans and prices

Free Free All features included · MIT open source · macOS 14.0 Sonoma or later · Apple Silicon Read 29 Sep 2026 · sanebar.com
Everything Bundle (SaneApps) $49.99, paid once once All current direct Mac Pro apps; SaneBar itself is free Read 29 Sep 2026 · sanebar.com

Every SaneBar plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan includes all features
  • Open source under the MIT License
  • Supports AppleScript, Shortcuts, and smart triggers
  • Imports layouts from Bartender or Ice

Limits

  • Requires macOS 14.0 Sonoma or later
  • Requires Apple Silicon
  • Requires macOS Accessibility permission
  • Some apps with unusual custom behavior may be edge cases

Who it suits

SaneBar suits Mac users who want to hide and quickly retrieve menu bar icons, customize access, or automate icon behavior. It is also relevant to users who prefer open-source software and local handling of menu bar contents.

Verdict

SaneBar combines menu bar hiding with search, automation, and icon locking, and its free plan includes all features. Check the macOS and Apple Silicon requirements, and note that a small number of apps may not behave as expected.

Where Specifiction places it

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