iBar-Menubar
iBar-Menubar helps Mac users manage menu bar icons by hiding items to reduce clutter and bringing them back when needed.
What iBar-Menubar is
iBar-Menubar helps Mac users manage menu bar icons by hiding items to reduce clutter and bringing them back when needed. Its standard mode folds hidden icons, while aggregation mode places them in a panel below the menu bar. The maker says this panel can help reveal icons obscured by a MacBook notch. In aggregation mode, a hidden icon can be temporarily added to the menu bar to operate its app menu, then hidden again after an optional delay. Users can adjust icon spacing and reorder items in the app’s menu bar layout settings. iBar supports both Apple M-series and Intel Macs. The App Store listing requires macOS 10.12 or later and identifies the app as Mac only. The free plan is free to download, with in-app purchases available; the listed annual subscription is CN¥18 a year. The developer reports that the app collects no data, but Apple says that information has not been verified by Apple.
Good
- Offers standard and aggregation display modes
- Can temporarily reveal hidden app menu icons
- Supports icon spacing changes and reordering
- Supports Apple M-series and Intel Macs
Watch out
- Mac only
- Requires macOS 10.12 or later
- Annual subscription is CN¥18 a year
Who it suits
iBar-Menubar suits Mac users who want to hide, regroup or reorder menu bar icons. Its aggregation panel may be useful to people whose MacBook notch obscures icons.
Verdict
iBar-Menubar provides two ways to manage hidden icons, along with controls for spacing and order. It is limited to Macs running macOS 10.12 or later, and its listed annual subscription is CN¥18 a year.
Plans and prices
From iBar-Menubar's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Menu-bar icon hiding and folding · basic icon management |
| iBar年度订阅（一年） | CN¥18 a year | In-app subscription; advanced functions described in the app listing · 一年 |
The facts
Each one read from iBar-Menubar's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Always-hide option
- Icons can be configured to remain hidden in both normal and aggregation modes.checked 15 Oct 2026
- API and SDK
- The official product and support pages describe App Store software and troubleshooting but provide no public API or SDK information.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Chip support
- The maker says iBar natively supports both Apple M-series and Intel Macs.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Compatibility
- The App Store listing requires macOS 10.12 or later and says the app is for Mac only.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Customization
- Users can change menu bar icon spacing and reorder icons in the app’s menu bar layout settings.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Display modes
- It provides a normal folding mode and an aggregation-window mode below the menu bar.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation link
- The official navigation links to a Yuque FAQ and troubleshooting documentation resource.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Download method
- The product page directs users to install the latest version from the Mac App Store.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Icon controls
- In aggregation mode, users can temporarily add a hidden icon to the menu bar to operate its app menu, then hide it again with an optional delay.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Icon ordering
- Its layout preferences let users drag icons to change their order.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Icon spacing
- The app offers default, smaller, small, and zero menu-bar icon spacing options.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Version 2.1.0 added shortcuts for displaying and clicking specific menu-bar icons.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- The opened official and App Store pages do not state an open-source licence.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: interaction bugs
- Reviewers report occasional missed clicks, delayed aggregation-panel opening, and icons disappearing until restart.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: language coverage
- A reviewer said linked support pages were Chinese-only and lacked clear English guidance.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: paid conversion
- A reviewer complained that a formerly free workflow became unusable behind a purchase prompt after the pricing change.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: permissions
- A reviewer objected that iBar requests screen-recording authorization and questioned why it cannot be disabled.checked 15 Oct 2026
- News: version 2.1.0
- The App Store version history dated April 11 records shortcut support for showing and clicking specific menu-bar icons plus bug fixes.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Notch handling
- The aggregation window is designed to expose icons obscured by a MacBook display notch.checked 15 Oct 2026
The company
- Company headquarters
- The Geeks Club lists the maker headquarters as Cixi, Zhejiang, China.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Cixi, Zhejiang, Chinachecked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker
- The maker describes Better365 as the team of Ningbo Shangguan Technology Co., Ltd., which develops macOS apps.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Maker legal name
- The about page identifies Ningbo Shangguan Technology Co., Ltd. as the Better365 team behind iBar and other macOS apps.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Maker product portfolio
- Better365 says it develops BetterAndBetter, automatic input switching, Super Right, iShot, FastZip, iBar and other macOS applications.checked 15 Oct 2026
The full review of iBar-Menubar
Overview
iBar-Menubar is a Mac utility for hiding, revealing and arranging menu bar icons. It suits Mac users who want to reclaim space or reach icons obscured by a notch; its two display modes add flexibility, but continued paid use costs CN¥18 a year.
Key features
Standard mode folds hidden icons away, while aggregation mode gathers them in a panel below the menu bar. That second option is especially useful when a MacBook notch blocks icons, rather than when the problem is simply a crowded row. In aggregation mode, users can temporarily bring a hidden icon back to operate its app menu and hide it again after an optional delay.
iBar also lets users hide, group and rearrange menu items, adjust icon spacing and set keyboard shortcuts. These controls make it possible to shape the menu bar around frequently used items, while keeping occasional controls tucked away. The focus remains on managing menu bar icons, not replacing the apps they represent.
Pricing
The Free plan costs nothing, is free to download and has in-app purchases available. A 10-day trial is also offered. The iBar年度订阅（一年） plan costs CN¥18 a year, billed 一年. The free option is the place to start; the annual subscription is the stated paid plan for users who want to continue beyond the trial. The plan terms give no seat or usage quota to weigh, so the main decision is whether iBar’s icon controls are worth an annual payment.
Platforms
iBar is for Mac only, with the App Store listing requiring macOS 10.12 or later. The maker says it natively supports Apple M-series and Intel Macs, making it an option across both processor families. The developer reports collecting no data; Apple notes that this developer-provided privacy information has not been verified. Support requests go through the maker’s website, with replies by email.
Who it's for
iBar is a good fit for Mac users with crowded menu bars, particularly MacBook owners whose notch can hide items. Its standard mode suits users who mainly want to fold away clutter; aggregation mode is the stronger reason to choose it when obscured icons need to remain accessible. It is less compelling for anyone seeking an app that does more than organize menu bar controls or who does not want a recurring subscription.
Pros and cons
- Two display modes: users can fold icons away or gather them below the menu bar, with aggregation helping expose notch-obscured items.
- Temporary access: hidden icons can be restored to operate their app menu and hidden again after an optional delay.
- Layout controls: spacing, order, grouping and keyboard shortcuts provide several ways to tailor the menu bar.
- Annual cost: the paid subscription is CN¥18 a year, so users who want paid use must account for a recurring charge.
- Mac-only: it does not suit users looking for menu bar management on other platforms.
Alternatives
For more options in this category, see the Menu Bar Customization Software list.
- GreatBar is free for now and supports macOS 14.0 or later; choose it if that newer system requirement works for you and you prefer a free option.
- Hidden Bar is a free, open source Mac app with support for macOS 13 Ventura or later and macOS 10.13–12.x; it is a fit for readers prioritizing an open source option.
- Ice 2 is a free, open source macOS app; consider it if open source availability matters more than iBar’s stated modes and controls.
- JellyBar is free for macOS 15 Sequoia and later on Apple Silicon; it suits readers on that newer, specific setup who want a free choice.
- Octobar has a free tier capped at five active modules and a 4.99 USD once-paid Pro plan with unlimited active modules; choose it if that module model fits better than iBar’s annual subscription.
- Overhang is free for macOS 14 Sonoma or later and has a universal binary for Apple silicon and Intel; it suits readers on those systems seeking a free option.
- SaneBar is free and fully open source under the MIT License; consider it if public source code is a priority.
- Thaw is free with no purchase, subscription or upgrade fee for new macOS versions; it suits readers who want to avoid ongoing charges.
Verdict
Choose iBar-Menubar if you want flexible control over hidden menu bar icons, especially a panel that can help with notch-obscured items. Its combination of two display modes and temporary icon access is the main reason to pick it; look elsewhere if you need a free option without recurring cost or a tool beyond menu bar organization.
