Which Macs are supported?

Notchly works on all Macs with a notch — MacBook Pro 14" and 16" (2021+) and MacBook Air (2022+). Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.

What's included for free?

File shelf, music controls (all providers), calendar, focus timer (25 min), clipboard history (5 items), bookmarks (3), full screen screenshot, camera overlay, HUD replacement, multi-display support, and up to 2 widgets — all free forever, no account needed.

How does Notchly compare to NotchNook?

Notchly includes the modules currently implemented in code: music, calendar, clipboard, focus timer, file shelf, bookmarks, widgets, command shortcuts, studio tools, sessions, and teleprompter, with a free tier plus one-time Pro unlock.

Is it a one-time purchase or subscription?

One-time purchase of $15 for lifetime access. No subscriptions, no recurring fees. All future updates included.

Guide · Updated April 2026

Best MacBook Notch Apps in 2026

The MacBook notch doesn't have to be wasted space. These five apps turn it into a productivity hub with music controls, clipboard management, focus timers, and more. Here's how they compare.

1. Notchly

$15 one-time (Free tier available)

The most feature-rich notch utility with 13 modules: music controls, clipboard history, calendar, focus timer, file shelf, screen recording, session manager, teleprompter, todo lists, widgets, command shortcuts, camera overlay, and bookmarks. Generous free tier with no account required.

Pros

13 implemented modules — most of any notch app
Free tier with core features forever
One-time $15 purchase (no subscription)
Clipboard manager with 60-item history (Pro)
Built-in screen recording and teleprompter
Session manager to save/restore desktop state
Homebrew install support

Cons

Not yet Apple-notarized (requires manual bypass)
macOS 14+ required

Verdict: Best overall — widest feature set at the best price.

2. NotchNook

$25 one-time

A polished notch utility focused on music controls and file shelf with smooth animations. Fewer features than Notchly but a clean, focused experience.

Pros

Smooth, polished animations
Good music and file shelf integration
Multi-display support

Cons

No free tier
No clipboard manager, calendar, or focus timer
Higher price with fewer features
~6 modules vs Notchly's 13

Verdict: Good for users who only need music + file shelf.

3. Boring Notch

Free (open source)

An open-source notch app that adds music controls and basic notch animations. Minimal feature set but completely free.

Pros

Free and open source
Music controls work well
Community-driven development

Cons

Very limited features
No clipboard, calendar, timer, or productivity tools
Less polished than paid alternatives
Slow update cycle

Verdict: Best free-only option if you only need music controls.

4. TopNotch

Free / $5 Pro

Focused specifically on hiding the notch by extending your wallpaper. Not a productivity tool — purely cosmetic.

Pros

Effectively hides the notch
Very lightweight
Low price

Cons

No productivity features at all
Only cosmetic — doesn't add functionality
Different category than true notch utilities

Verdict: Good if you just want to hide the notch entirely.

5. Island

$4.99

Brings iPhone Dynamic Island-style notifications to the Mac notch. Focused on notification display rather than productivity.

Pros

Dynamic Island aesthetic on Mac
Shows app notifications elegantly

Cons

Notification-only — no productivity tools
No clipboard, file shelf, or timer
Limited customization

Verdict: Great aesthetic but lacks productivity features.

Final Recommendation

For most Mac users, Notchly is the best choice in 2026. It offers the widest set of features (13 modules), a generous free tier, and costs just $15 for a one-time lifetime Pro license with no subscription. If you want your MacBook notch to be more than decoration, Notchly is the app to try.

Try Notchly Free Today

Core features free forever. No account needed. Upgrade to Pro anytime.

Download Notchly Full Comparison