GreatBar vs MenuBarDockX

GreatBar is a free Mac app that puts shortcuts to websites, apps, files, and folders in the menu bar. Website shortcuts can open in panels that remember their size and page state, or in standalone windows that can stay above other windows. Separate browsing sessions let the same website use different logins, while private browsing keeps no cookies or history. Users can create distinct menu bars, such as work and personal setups, and shortcuts can open named macOS System Settings panes. Links for WhatsApp, Slack, Figma, Notion, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Discord, Telegram, and Spotify can open in those apps when installed. An optional built-in MCP server lets an assistant inspect bars and propose changes for user review. GreatBar runs in the Mac sandbox and stores added files and folders as security-scoped bookmarks. It has no backend, account system, or telemetry, but its daily update check shares the user's IP address and app user agent with the hosting provider. Website views block ads and trackers by default. GreatBar requires macOS 14.0 or later.

MenuBarDockX is a free macOS utility that gathers menu bar icons hidden behind the notch or pushed off-screen and places them in a floating panel. Open the panel by clicking its overflow indicator or pressing Control+Option+Command+M. Tabs cover All, System, Development, Cloud, Security, and Utility; icons can be reordered manually and assigned categories. Bundled rules classify icons from Docker, JetBrains, Dropbox, 1Password, and Raycast. The project says processing is local, with no telemetry or external server, and the Swift/AppKit app has no third-party dependencies. It requires macOS 14 or later on Apple Silicon or Intel, although Intel and Sonoma have not been formally tested. Accessibility permission is required; Screen Recording may support icon images and background sampling. Builds are unsigned and unnotarized, so Gatekeeper may warn. On macOS 15 or later, right-click forwarding falls back to Toggle/Quit.