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Notchfy vs NotchNook vs Boring Notch

An honest look at the main macOS notch apps — updated October 2026.

If you want to put your MacBook's notch to work, three apps come up most: Notchfy, NotchNook and Boring Notch. They overlap, but they're built for different people. Here's a straight comparison so you can pick the right one — including where the others are a better fit.

Fairness note: this page is maintained by Notchfy, so we're not neutral. The facts below reflect publicly available information as of October 2026; features and pricing change, so check each app's own site before buying. NotchNook and Boring Notch are good apps — see where each wins below.

At a Glance

	Notchfy	NotchNook	Boring Notch
What it is	A full notch dashboard — 23 modules	A polished notch tray & shelf	A free now-playing notch
Price	One-time, $5 launch (then $12)	Paid license	Free, open-source
Breadth	23 modules + live activities	Several features (tray, shelf, media, notes…)	Media-focused, lighter scope
Built-in AI assistant	Yes — MacMate (on-device or your key)	No	No
Works without a physical notch	Yes — draws a simulated notch	Varies — see their site	Varies — see their site
Intel Macs	Yes — Apple Silicon + Intel	See their site	See their site
Runs locally / private	Yes — no telemetry, no account for the app	See their policy	Yes — open-source
Subscription	No — one-time	See their site	No — free

Cells marked "see their site" are things we won't state for another app without a current source — check their pages for the latest.

Where Each One Wins

Choose Boring Notch If…

You want free and open-source, and mostly care about media controls in the notch. It's lightweight, community-built and does its core job well. If you don't need the extra modules, it's the easy pick.

Choose NotchNook If…

You want a mature, polished tray + shelf experience and like its specific design. It's an established app with a loyal following. If its feature set matches exactly what you want, it's solid.

Choose Notchfy If…

You want the widest range from one app — 23 modules (analytics, revenue, system stats, screen time, timers, calendar, weather, clipboard, file shelf & converter, downloads, captures, notes, now-playing and more) plus MacMate AI, the one feature the others don't have: an in-notch assistant that answers "how do I do X on my Mac," running on Apple's on-device model or your own Claude / GPT / Gemini / Grok key. Notchfy also simulates a notch on Macs that don't have one, runs on Intel and Apple Silicon, is private by default (nothing leaves your Mac), and is a one-time purchase — $5 for the first 50 buyers, then $12, no subscription.

See Notchfy pricing →

FAQ

Is Notchfy a Subscription?

No. One-time purchase — $5 for the first 50 buyers, then $12. One key activates on up to 2 of your Macs (deactivate one to free a seat).

Does Notchfy Work on a MacBook Without a Notch?

Yes. It draws a simulated notch at the top of the screen with the same modules and behaviour.

What Makes Notchfy Different from NotchNook and Boring Notch?

Breadth (23 modules in one app) and MacMate AI — a built-in Mac assistant neither of the others includes. Plus Intel support, a simulated notch, and a one-time price.