Bartender vs SoundSource
Bartender
macbartender.comSoundSource
rogueamoeba.comSide by side
| Figure | Bartender | SoundSource |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $1.67/mo | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 2 |
| Spec score · Menu Bar Apps | 8.2 (#3) | 7.5 (#14) |
| Automation | Bartender supports built-in triggers, Shortcuts, AppleScript, hotkeys, and Siri; the maker says an official Raycast extension is planned. | SoundSource supports workflows that trigger audio adjustments through the Shortcuts app. |
| Headquarters | New York City, United States | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| Privacy | The maker says menu bar captures remain on the device and are cached locally, and its privacy policy says app data is not transmitted to its servers. | The maker says it does not sell or rent user data and collects only the minimum data it reasonably needs. |
| Purpose | Bartender manages macOS menu bar items, controlling which items appear and when. | SoundSource gives users audio control of their Mac from the menu bar. |
| Support | Users can contact support by email or send feedback from within Bartender. | The maker offers email support and says it strives to reply within 24 hours. |
Plans
Bartender
- Bartender Pro$19.99 a year
- Bartender 7$24.99, paid once
- Mega SupporterPrice not published
SoundSource
- SoundSource 6 Upgrade$25, paid once
- SoundSource License Key$49, paid once
In their own words
Bartender
Bartender manages macOS menu bar items, controlling which ones appear and when. It can reveal items quickly, search them, and use custom hotkeys and triggers. Users can hide, rearrange, and group items, create custom items from built-in data sources or scripts without coding, and switch profiles by hotkey, trigger, or display setup. Bartender 7’s Command Bar searches for and triggers menu bar items; clipboard history is included for Pro users. Automation options include built-in triggers, Shortcuts, AppleScript, hotkeys, and Siri. The app works without Screen Recording permission, showing app icons rather than snapshots when permission is disabled. The maker says captures remain cached locally on the device and app data is not transmitted to its servers. Bartender 7 is built for macOS 27 Golden Gate; users on macOS 26 Tahoe are directed to Bartender 6 while Bartender 7 support is pending. Bartender 7 costs 24.99 USD as a one-time purchase, and Pro costs $19.99 a year. A license covers all Macs owned and personally used by its holder.
SoundSource
SoundSource has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.