NotchBuddyNotchBuddy vs NotchNook: an alternative you can get now
NotchNook was the app that made the MacBook notch useful for a lot of people. As of 25 September 2026 its product page and its Setapp listing are offline, and Homebrew disabled its package on 19 September as unreachable. If you're looking for a replacement, here's how NotchBuddy compares with NotchNook as it was last sold.
Checked on . We make NotchBuddy, so we’ve marked where it falls short too.
At a glance
| Feature | NotchBuddy | NotchNook |
|---|---|---|
| Available to buy today | Yes | Product page and Setapp listing offline |
| Price | $20 once | Was $25 once or $3 a month |
| Macs per licence | 1 | Was 5 (one-time) or 2 (monthly) |
| Minimum macOS | 14 Sonoma | Was 14.6 |
| Macs without a notch | Yes, as a pill | Yes |
| Music controls | Yes | Yes |
| File shelf + AirDrop | Yes | Yes |
| Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Camera mirror | Yes | Yes |
| Clipboard history | Yes | Not listed |
| Pomodoro and timers | Yes | Not listed |
| Sales alerts | 8 platforms | Not listed |
| Desk pet | 5 pets | Not listed |
What's going on with NotchNook
Its maker's site, lo.cafe, now says a rebuilt successor called NOOTCH is on the way. Until it arrives, NotchNook can't be bought from lo.cafe or Setapp, and new installs through Homebrew are disabled. Check lo.cafe for the latest.
What carries over to NotchBuddy
- Music with artwork and controls: Music.
- A file shelf you can drop files on, and AirDrop: Shelf.
- Calendar for today and tomorrow, and a camera mirror before calls.
- Macs without a notch, as a small pill at the top of the screen.
What's new if you switch
- Clipboard history, a Pomodoro timer, spoken reminders, sticky notes and a scratchpad.
- Revenue: sales from eight payment platforms in the notch.
- Five pets.
What you'd give up
NotchNook's one-time licence covered five Macs; a NotchBuddy licence covers one. NotchNook also had its own widget layout and live activities, which NotchBuddy doesn't copy.
Switching in five minutes
- Quit NotchNook
Quit it and remove it from System Settings → General → Login Items, so the two apps don't compete for the notch.
- Install NotchBuddy
Download the DMG from the download page and drag it to Applications. It's signed and notarized by Apple.
- Find the tools you used
Hover the notch and open More: Music, Shelf, Calendar and Mirror are all there. Put your two most-used tools in the dock as favourites.
Questions, answered.
Is NotchNook discontinued?
We can't say that. As of 25 September 2026 its product page and Setapp listing return errors and Homebrew has disabled its package, and lo.cafe's homepage announces a successor called NOOTCH. Check lo.cafe for the latest.
Will my NotchNook licence work in NotchBuddy?
No. They're different apps from different makers.