Ice 2

Overview

Ice 2 is a free, open-source macOS app for hiding and arranging menu bar icons. It suits Mac users who want a clearer menu bar without giving up quick access to less-used items. Its appeal is practical, but users on macOS 27 lose several of its more flexible reveal options.

Key features

Ice 2 tucks rarely used icons behind a divider, then lets users reveal them with a click, keyboard shortcut, or by hovering over the screen edge. That range of access methods makes it adaptable to different habits; keyboard shortcuts are particularly useful for users who prefer not to hunt for a small target.

Its Ice Bar can move hidden items into a separate bar that appears on demand, while the layout editor lets users sort apps into Visible, Hidden, and Always-Hidden sections. On macOS 27, layout changes save as they are made. The trade-off is significant on that system: Ice Bar, search for a single menu bar icon, and temporarily showing one icon are unavailable.

On macOS 27, Ice 2 finds menu bar apps through Accessibility and asks macOS to hide them, so Accessibility permission may be required. Users should factor that permission into their setup. The app also supports rearranging and grouping items, multiple displays, and keyboard shortcuts.

Pricing

Ice 2 costs nothing. The free and open-source plan includes the macOS app, with no free trial because there is no paid tier described. That makes it a straightforward choice for users who want menu bar organization without a subscription or purchase; there are no cheaper plans that trade away features.

Dragon App describes its apps as free and open source, and Ice 2 is licensed under GPLv3. Its source is published on GitHub. Users can install it through GitHub releases or Homebrew; the Mac App Store is coming soon. Questions, bug reports, and feature requests go to the GitHub issue tracker, with email support also offered.

Platforms

Ice 2 runs on macOS, with a requirement of macOS 26 or later. That makes it unsuitable for Macs that cannot run macOS 26. The macOS 27 restrictions also matter: users who specifically need the separate Ice Bar, single-icon search, or temporary single-icon display should not expect those options on that version.

Who it's for

Choose Ice 2 if you want to keep a busy Mac menu bar under control while retaining several ways to reveal hidden icons. Its free, open-source model also suits users who prefer software whose source is public. Look elsewhere if you use an older macOS release or if your macOS 27 workflow depends on features that version does not support.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Click, hotkey, and edge-hover reveal options give users a choice of how to access hidden icons.
• Pros: Visible, Hidden, and Always-Hidden sections offer clear control over which apps remain in view.
• Pros: Free, open-source distribution avoids a paid plan and makes the source available on GitHub.
• Cons: macOS 26 or later is required, ruling out older Macs.
• Cons: macOS 27 removes Ice Bar, single-icon search, and temporary single-icon display, narrowing the choices for managing hidden items.
• Cons: Accessibility permission may be required on macOS 27, which adds a permission decision to setup.

Alternatives

For a broader set of choices, browse Menu Bar Customization Software. SwiftBar is another free, open-source macOS option, but its free plan centers on running plugins from a local folder rather than Ice 2's menu-bar hiding and layout controls.

Overhang is worth considering if macOS 14 Sonoma or later and a Universal binary for Apple silicon and Intel fit your needs. SaneBar is another free, open-source option, released under the MIT License.

Thaw may suit users who value a no-purchase, no-subscription promise that also covers upgrades for new macOS versions. Vanilla offers a free plan for hiding menu bar icons.

Cornice is a free alternative for Apple Silicon Macs on macOS 26 or later. GreatBar is another free option for macOS 14 or later, though its free availability is described as being for now while the app is new. Hidden Bar is a free, open-source alternative for supported macOS versions.

Verdict

Ice 2 is a strong fit for Mac users on macOS 26 or later who want free, open-source menu bar control, especially if multiple reveal methods and distinct visibility groups matter. Its main reason to choose it is that combination of flexible access and organization at no cost. Look elsewhere if you need broad compatibility with older macOS versions or rely on Ice Bar, single-icon search, or temporary single-icon display on macOS 27.