NotchBuddyNotchBuddy vs NotchNook (2026 Alternative)
NotchNook went offline in September 2026 during a dispute at its maker and has been back on sale at getnotchnook.com since late September, in Pro and Classic editions. Check the current price there. Here is how that compares with NotchBuddy.
Checked on . Last updated 1 Nov 2026. We make NotchBuddy, so we’ve marked where it falls short too.
At a glance
| Feature | NotchBuddy | NotchNook |
|---|---|---|
| Status, 1 Nov 2026 | On sale | Back on sale since late September 2026 |
| Editions | One app | Pro and Classic |
| Price | $10 once | Check getnotchnook.com |
| Old licences | NotchBuddy keys are separate | Recover your license page; may not activate automatically |
| Where to buy | notchbuddy.app; also the Mac App Store | getnotchnook.com; left Setapp and Homebrew |
| Macs per licence | 1 | Up to 2 (getnotchnook.com, 1 Nov 2026) |
| Minimum macOS | 14 | 14.6 for version 1.6.17 |
| Music | Yes | Yes (October 2026 notes) |
| File tray and AirDrop | Yes | Yes (October 2026 notes) |
| Calendar | Yes | Yes (October 2026 notes) |
| Shortcuts | Not listed | Yes (October 2026 notes) |
| Volume and brightness HUDs | No | Yes (October 2026 notes) |
| Sales alerts | 8 platforms | Not listed |
| Desk pet | 5 pets | Not listed |
What happened in 2026
NotchNook went offline in September 2026 during a dispute at its maker and has been back on sale at getnotchnook.com since late September, in Pro and Classic editions. Check the current price there. The dated timeline, with sources, is in Is NotchNook discontinued?.
On 1 November 2026, getnotchnook.com listed version 1.6.17, a 48-hour trial, a 7-day refund on new purchases, and a licence for up to two Macs, requiring macOS 14.6 or later. The same day its pages showed more than one price, so this comparison does not quote one. Setapp removed NotchNook in September 2026, and the Homebrew cask was disabled on 19 September 2026.
What both apps list
Music, a file tray with AirDrop, calendar, Shortcuts, and volume and brightness HUDs below are from the October 2026 notes already used on this page. They were not re-checked against NotchNook's site on 1 November 2026.
- Music with controls in the notch.
- A file tray and AirDrop.
- Calendar.
Where they differ
Those October notes list Shortcuts and volume and brightness HUDs for NotchNook. NotchBuddy does not replace those system pop-ups. NotchBuddy lists clipboard history, a Pomodoro timer, spoken reminders, sticky notes, sales alerts from eight payment platforms and five pets. A NotchBuddy licence is one Mac. getnotchnook.com said on 1 November 2026 that one NotchNook licence covers up to two Macs.
If an old NotchNook licence does not activate
Start with the Recover your license page on getnotchnook.com, or email support@getnotchnook.com. We could not confirm from NotchNook's own pages that older licences were refused. A competitor's 9 October 2026 write-up said keys bought before 24 September do not activate automatically. Treat that as a report, not a rule. Version 1.6.17, released 1 November 2026, is described on NotchNook's changelog as a licence activation fix. An old NotchNook licence will not unlock NotchBuddy.
- Try NotchNook's recovery page first
getnotchnook.com has separate recovery options for Pro and Classic.
- Quit NotchNook if you switch
Quit it and remove it from System Settings → General → Login Items, so two apps don't compete for the notch.
- Try NotchBuddy
It's $10 once for one Mac from this site, with a 14-day refund. The Mac App Store edition is a separate download with a 3-day trial.
Questions, answered.
Is NotchNook discontinued?
No. NotchNook is not discontinued. It went offline in September 2026 during a dispute at its maker and has been back on sale at getnotchnook.com since late September, in Pro and Classic editions. Check the current price there.
Will my old NotchNook licence still work?
It may not activate automatically. Use the Recover your license page on getnotchnook.com, or email support@getnotchnook.com. We could not confirm from NotchNook's own pages that older licences were refused. It will not unlock NotchBuddy.
Is NotchNook still on Setapp or Homebrew?
No. Setapp removed it in September 2026, and the Homebrew cask was disabled on 19 September 2026. It is sold at getnotchnook.com.
Does NotchBuddy replace the volume and brightness pop-ups?
No. October 2026 notes list those HUDs for NotchNook. NotchBuddy leaves the macOS pop-ups alone.