Hidden Bar

Hidden Bar is a free, open-source macOS utility for hiding selected menu bar icons. It suits Mac users who want a small, configurable cleanup rather than a broader paid app. Its controls are flexible, but macOS 27 users face a permission requirement and a hiding feature that depends on a private Apple framework.

Overview

Hidden Bar divides menu bar icons into visible and hidden sections. Click the arrow to expand or collapse the hidden section, and Command-drag icons across the separator to change which side they occupy. That simple model makes it useful for trimming clutter without permanently removing icons from view.

Its optional always-hidden section adds another layer: those icons stay concealed even when the main hidden section is expanded, and Option-clicking the arrow reveals them. The tradeoff is that users need to remember the extra gesture when they want access to those icons.

Key features

• Automatic collapse: Set a delay for re-collapsing the hidden section, or use a system-wide shortcut to expand or collapse it. This suits users who want the menu bar to tidy itself or prefer keyboard control.
• Icon organization: Hide, rearrange, and group menu bar items, with support for multiple displays. These controls offer useful organization, though they do not extend to built-in macOS items on macOS 27.
• Login launch: Hidden Bar can start at login through the macOS 13 or later SMAppService login item.
• Documentation and privacy: The manual covers settings, Terminal-only options, and troubleshooting. The project says the app uses no third-party services that may collect information used to identify users.

Pricing

Hidden Bar has one plan: free. It includes the app’s menu-item hiding, rearranging, grouping, keyboard shortcuts, and multiple-display support. There is no free trial because the app is free, and the project describes it as open source and provided at no cost.

The plan supports macOS 13 Ventura or later; macOS 10.13–12.x is supported by v1.10. There is no paid tier to unlock additional features. Users can install through Homebrew or download it manually; the direct distribution is notarized.

Platforms

Hidden Bar is for macOS. On macOS 27, the direct-download build needs Accessibility permission to detect icon positions; without it, the menu bar stays expanded. Hiding is per app, built-in macOS items remain visible, and Hidden Bar must run from the Applications folder. Its macOS 27 hiding feature relies on a private Apple framework, so a macOS update could break it.

Who it's for

Choose Hidden Bar if you want a free, open-source way to keep selected app icons out of sight and value control over how they are grouped and revealed. Its shortcuts, automatic collapse, and always-hidden section give it more than a single hide-and-show switch.

Look elsewhere if you need to hide built-in macOS items on macOS 27, want hiding to work without granting Accessibility permission to the direct-download build, or need a macOS 27 feature that does not depend on a private framework.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free and open source, with no paid tier separating core organization controls from the basic app.
• Pros: A delay, system-wide shortcut, and always-hidden section give users several ways to manage when icons appear.
• Pros: Homebrew and manual installation provide two distribution options, and the direct download is notarized.
• Cons: On macOS 27, the direct-download build needs Accessibility permission, and hiding is limited to individual apps rather than built-in macOS items.
• Cons: The macOS 27 hiding feature relies on a private Apple framework that an OS update could break.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, browse Menu Bar Customization Software. Choose iBar-Menubar if you want a macOS alternative with a free plan and in-app purchases. Ice 2 is another free, open-source macOS option.

SaneBar is a free, fully open-source macOS alternative. Thaw is free, with no purchase, subscription, or upgrade fee for new macOS versions. Vanilla offers a free plan for hiding menu bar icons. Overhang and Cornice are also free macOS alternatives. GreatBar is free for now and supports macOS 14.0 or later.

Verdict

Hidden Bar is a strong fit for Mac users who want free, open-source control over which app icons appear in the menu bar, especially those who value shortcuts and layered hiding. Its key drawback is macOS 27: permission is required for the direct-download build, built-in items cannot be hidden, and a private framework may leave the feature vulnerable to OS updates. Choose it for flexible, no-cost organization; look elsewhere if those limits conflict with how you manage your Mac.