Ice vs the rest: Ice vs Bartender 5 vs Thaw vs Pelmet
An honest snapshot: Ice is free and open-source — and runs on macOS 14 through 27.
| Ice | Bartender 5 | Thaw | Pelmet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free forever | $16 one-time | Free | Free |
| macOS support | 14 – 27 | Current releases | 26+ only | 27 only |
| Open source | Yes · GPL-3.0 | No · closed | Yes · GPL-3.0 | Yes · GPL-3.0 |
| Notch second bar | Yes · Ice Bar | Yes · Bartender Bar | Yes · Thaw Bar | — |
| Best for | macOS 14–25, or the classic Ice experience | Maximum features, paid | macOS 26+ with profiles & triggers | macOS 27 minimalists |
Prices and requirements change — check each project's releases page before deciding.
Compare questions, answered
Is Ice a good free Bartender alternative?▾
Yes — Ice covers the core Bartender workflow: hide menu bar icons individually or all at once, an always-hidden section, a second bar for notched MacBooks (the Ice Bar), hotkeys, and auto-rehide. The difference is the price: Bartender 5 costs $16, while Ice is GPL-3.0 and free forever.
Ice vs Thaw — which should I choose?▾
Both are free and open-source. Thaw requires macOS 26 or later and adds profiles, triggers, and many languages. Ice supports macOS 14 through 27, so it is the pick for older systems or anyone who wants the classic, lightweight Ice experience.
Does Ice work on macOS Tahoe and MacBooks with a notch?▾
Yes. Ice requires macOS 14 or later and fully supports macOS 27, including Tahoe. On notched MacBooks, hidden icons that macOS would swallow stay reachable in the separate Ice Bar below the menu bar.