NotchBuddyNotchBuddy vs Atoll: Mac notch apps for power users
Atoll is a free power-user app built on The Boring Notch's code: system stats, clipboard history, timers, lock-screen widgets and AI usage tracking. NotchBuddy overlaps on the everyday tools and adds live sales and a pet.
Checked on . We make NotchBuddy, so we’ve marked where it falls short too.
At a glance
| Feature | NotchBuddy | Atoll |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20 once | Free (GPL-3.0) |
| Minimum macOS | 14 Sonoma | 14 (optimised for 15) |
| Macs without a notch | Yes, as a pill | README lists a notched MacBook |
| Music controls | Yes | Yes |
| File shelf + AirDrop | Yes | Yes |
| Clipboard history | Yes | Yes |
| Timers | Pomodoro, countdown, stopwatch | Timer |
| System stats | Yes | Yes |
| Weather | No | Yes |
| Volume & brightness pop-ups | No | Yes |
| AI | No | Screen assistant with your Gemini key, AI usage |
| Sales alerts | 8 platforms | Not listed |
| Desk pet | 5 pets | Not listed |
| Latest stable release | 1.0.1 (Sep 2026) | 2.3.3 (Jul 2026) |
The short version
Pick Atoll if you have a notched MacBook and want the most free features: stats, clipboard, weather, lock-screen widgets and a way to watch your AI tool usage. Pick NotchBuddy if you want it on any Mac, with a focus routine, spoken reminders, sales alerts and a pet.
Where Atoll is ahead
- It's free and open source, under GPL-3.0.
- Weather, pop-ups and lock-screen widgets. NotchBuddy has none of these.
- AI extras. A screen assistant that uses your own Gemini API key, and AI usage tracking.
Where NotchBuddy is ahead
- Any Mac, any screen. Atoll's README lists a notched MacBook as a requirement. NotchBuddy runs on a Mac mini, an iMac or an external display as a small pill.
- A calmer focus routine. Focus has Pomodoro, countdown, stopwatch and a water reminder; Sounds makes rain or brown noise on your Mac.
- Reminders you type like a sentence, read out loud when they're due.
- Sales and a pet. Revenue for eight payment platforms, and five pets that cheer when you get paid.
Questions, answered.
Does Atoll work on a Mac mini or iMac?
Atoll's README lists a MacBook with a notch as a requirement. NotchBuddy works on any Mac with macOS 14 or later, as a small pill at the top of the screen.
Is Atoll the same as The Boring Notch?
No. Atoll is built on The Boring Notch's code and adds its own features, according to its README.