Bartender 9.2 < RECENT >
While the subscription model still stings for long-time users, the lifetime license option ($39) is reasonable given that you will likely use this app every single day for the next three to four years.
For a menu bar utility, the bloat in 9.0 and 9.1 was a genuine concern. Version 9.2 is leaner than even the legendary Bartender 4. For those unaware, in mid-2024, the original developer sold Bartender to a company called Applause , which led to a panic over potential spyware (later proven false by independent audits, but trust was broken). Many users refused to update past Bartender 4. bartender 9.2
If your Mac’s menu bar looks like a crowded Times Square billboard, Bartender 9.2 is the traffic cop you have been waiting for. Have you updated to Bartender 9.2? Share your experience in the comments below. For more macOS deep dives, subscribe to our weekly Power User newsletter. While the subscription model still stings for long-time
| Feature | Bartender 9.2 | Hidden Bar (Free) | Ice (Open Source) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Per-app notch avoidance | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | | Location-based triggers | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ⚠️ Via shortcuts only | | Instant reveal (no lag) | ✅ Yes | ❌ 200ms lag | ⚠️ 150ms lag | | macOS Sequoia native | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Beta only | ❌ No | | Price | $16/year (or $39 lifetime) | Free | Free | For those unaware, in mid-2024, the original developer
| Metric | Bartender 9.1 | Bartender 9.2 | Improvement | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | CPU idle usage | 0.8% - 1.2% | 0.1% - 0.3% | | | RAM footprint | 185 MB | 92 MB | 50% reduction | | Menu bar redraw time | 220 ms | 24 ms | 9x faster | | Trigger reaction lag | 1.1 sec | 0.07 sec | 15x faster |