SmartTaskbar vs YASB Reborn

SmartTaskbar is a free Windows utility that changes whether the taskbar is shown or hidden. In Auto Mode, it hides the taskbar when the focused window intersects it. Double-clicking the tray icon switches between Show and Auto-Hide, while the taskbar status stays unchanged when the pointer is over the taskbar. Auto Mode follows Windows Auto-Hide behavior, so closing Start or Search may hide the taskbar before SmartTaskbar brings it back. Some applications with special maximization logic may not make the taskbar appear when the pointer moves to its position; the project suggests WIN+T as a workaround. Release notes say the hook can sometimes fail and advise restarting Explorer and SmartTaskbar or rebooting. Auto Mode may not work on Windows 10 versions released in 2019 or earlier, for which the notes suggest the Win10_1809 installer. The privacy statement says the app collects no user data, uses no telemetry, and stores settings offline locally, though it accesses the Registry to monitor and set taskbar settings. The project lists an MIT license and links to a Microsoft Store version described as less functional and stable.

YASB Reborn is a free, open-source Windows status bar built around widgets, live data, and custom automations. It includes more than 50 widgets for system statistics, workspaces, media, utilities, and integrations. Native integrations with GlazeWM and Komorebi can display workspace and tiling information. YAML files define bars, screens, widget positions, update settings, and actions, while CSS handles imports, variables, scoped widget styling, animations, and live hot-reloading. Different or mirrored bars can run across multiple monitors, and one monitor can host multiple bars. YASB is designed for Windows 11 and also works on Windows 10 through Win32 APIs. Installation options include x64 and ARM64 MSI files, WinGet, Scoop, Chocolatey, Python, or source builds. It operates locally and says it does not collect or centrally store personal information. The project uses the MIT License.