Looking to make the most of your MacBook's notch? Whether you want to hide it, customize it, or make it more functional, there are several apps designed specifically for this purpose. Let's compare five popular options: Alcove, Notch Nook, Boring Notch, Notchmeister, and TopNotch, to help you choose the right one.
Quick Overview
Before diving deep into features, here's a quick snapshot of what each app offers:
- Alcove: A premium notch utility that turns the notch area into useful space
- Notch Nook: A customizable notch enhancement tool with practical features
- Boring Notch: A simple solution focused on hiding the notch effectively
- Notchmeister: A fun and quirky app that adds visual effects to your notch
- TopNotch: A straightforward, free tool to make the notch disappear
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Alcove | Notch Nook | Boring Notch | Notchmeister | TopNotch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hide Notch | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Custom Effects | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Per-App Settings | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Menu Bar Integration | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dynamic Wallpaper Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Visual Effects | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Live Activities | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Gesture Controls | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Multi-Display Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Customizable HUDs | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Holiday Themes | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Mouse Interaction | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| AirDrop Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| File Drop Zone | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free Tier Available | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dark Mode Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open Source | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
Detailed App Analysis
Alcove
Alcove brings the Dynamic Island experience to your Mac's notch area.
Pros:
- Dynamic Island-like functionality
- Fluid transitions and animations
- Live Activities support
- Instant notifications
- Interactive swipe gestures
- Customizable HUDs (Heads-Up Displays)
- Lock Screen presence
- Native app performance
- Beautiful wallpaper integration
Cons:
- Higher price point ($16.99)
- Requires modern MacBook with notch
Best For:
Power users who want to transform their notch into a Dynamic Island-like interface with rich functionality and interactions.
Notch Nook
Notch Nook offers a balance between functionality and customization.
Pros:
- Multiple notch styles
- Free tier available
- Easy customization
- Practical utility features
- Regular updates
Cons:
- Some premium features locked behind paywall
- Can be resource-intensive with effects enabled
Best For:
Users who want both practical utility and customization options.
Boring Notch
Boring Notch is a free, open-source solution that focuses on simplicity and effectiveness.
Pros:
- Simple, straightforward interface
- Minimal resource usage
- Free and open-source
- Reliable performance
- Quick setup
- Community-driven development
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Basic feature set
- No visual effects
Best For:
Users who simply want to hide the notch without any extra features.
Notchmeister
Notchmeister is a fun, free app by The Iconfactory that celebrates your notch with playful effects.
Pros:
- Five unique visual effects (Glow, Plasma, Nano Radar, Nano Radar+, and Festive)
- Mouse pointer interaction effects
- Holiday-themed effects
- Extremely lightweight
- Simple one-click installation
- Zero configuration needed
Cons:
- Cannot hide the notch
- No practical utility features
- Limited to visual effects only
- No customization options beyond preset effects
Best For:
Users who want to embrace and have fun with their notch through creative visual effects.
TopNotch
TopNotch by The Cool People provides a simple, elegant solution for making the notch disappear.
Pros:
- Completely free
- Automatically makes the notch invisible
- Works with dynamic wallpapers
- Supports multiple displays
- Runs silently in the background
- Automatic startup option
- Native dark mode support
- Zero configuration needed
Cons:
- No customization options
- Single purpose functionality
- No visual effects or enhancements
Best For:
Users seeking a zero-configuration, set-and-forget solution to make their notch blend seamlessly with the menu bar.
Pricing Breakdown
Alcove
- One-time purchase ($16.99)
- Available from tryalcove.com
- Native Mac app
Notch Nook
- Free basic version
- Pro version ($4.99)
- Available on Mac App Store
Boring Notch
- Free
- Optional donation-based support
- Available on GitHub
Notchmeister
- Completely free
- Available directly from The Iconfactory
- No in-app purchases or premium features
TopNotch
- Free
- Available from topnotch.app
- No paid options
How to Choose
Choose Alcove if you:
- Want Dynamic Island functionality on your Mac
- Need live activities and instant notifications
- Love fluid animations and transitions
- Want interactive gesture controls
- Prefer premium, polished experiences
- Don't mind paying for innovative features
Go with Notch Nook if you:
- Want a balance of features and simplicity
- Need both practical and visual customization
- Prefer having a free tier option
Pick Boring Notch if you:
- Want a simple, effective notch hiding solution
- Prefer open-source software
- Don't need extra features
Try Notchmeister if you:
- Want fun, interactive visual effects around your notch
- Enjoy seasonal and holiday-themed animations
- Prefer zero-configuration apps
- Want to make your notch a playful feature
Use TopNotch if you:
- Want a zero-configuration notch hiding solution
- Prefer a set-and-forget approach
- Need multi-display support
- Want seamless dark mode integration
- Need a simple, free solution
Getting Started
- Download your chosen app from its respective source
- Launch the app
- Grant necessary permissions
- Configure basic preferences
- Set up per-app configurations (if available)
Final Verdict
Each notch app serves different user needs:
- Alcove transforms your notch into a Dynamic Island with live activities and fluid interactions
- Notch Nook provides a good balance of features and customization
- Boring Notch excels at simple notch hiding
- Notchmeister turns your notch into a fun, interactive feature
- TopNotch offers the most elegant, zero-configuration notch hiding solution
For most users who want to hide their notch, TopNotch provides the simplest, most reliable solution. If you want to embrace and have fun with your notch, Notchmeister offers unique and playful effects. For those seeking more utility and customization, Notch Nook offers excellent value with its free tier, while Alcove provides the most comprehensive feature set for power users.
Regular Updates and Support
All these apps are actively maintained and regularly updated to ensure compatibility with the latest macOS versions. For the best deals on premium notch apps throughout the year, keep an eye on apps.deals.
Note: Features and pricing mentioned are current as of February 2025 and may be subject to change. Always verify current offerings on the official websites.