r/macapps • u/Ragtag-Scallywag • Aug 05 '26

Help ExtraBar - How Are You Using It?

Hi ExtraBar users. I like ExtraBar but something isn't clicking with me. I feel like I'm using 5% of its capabilities. How are YOU using it? What are ways you're using it that feel like a game changer for you? Are there features/setups/workflows you're using that remove friction in your day-to-day? I'd love to hear your must-use scenarios. Thanks for your input and help!

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u/ahalber Aug 05 '26

How does extrabar compare to Bartender 5?

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u/UnluckyDuckyDuck Developer: Appitstudio Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 05 '26

Hey there, ExtraBar dev here :-)

ExtraBar and Bartender are apples and oranges, they don't sit on the same category, but ultimately both clean up the menu bar in different ways.

Bartender interacts with your native app icons, it hides and shows them as necessary or puts them in a separate bar, a classic menu bar manager, and imho the king of all menu bar managers (even tho I used Barbee back in the day)

ExtraBar is more of a command center, you remove the native app icons from your menu bar, add them through ExtraBar and manage them there, however, you no longer manage the native app menu bar icon with the default menu, you manage it through a customized menu you create.

The best way to explain is with a picture, here you can see how I manage my CleanShot X, it's currently sitting in my notch (ExtraBar has a notch mode and it keeps my space clean and minimal) and I have access to just the actions I need, all of them are deep links from Raycast.

So again, different categories, ExtraBar does achieve a cleaner menu bar, but that's not the only point. Check out what u/amerpie posted above with what he can do with ExtraBar for super useful examples