Kitsmith / Compare / iStat Menus vs Stats
MaciStat Menus vs Stats
iStat Menus vs Stats: verdict, pricing, and specs compared, so you can pick the right one for your Mac.
At a glance
iStat Menus
$11.99 one-time (Family Pack $14.99)Dense, beautiful system monitoring in the menu bar, from Bjango.
Stats
FreeFree, open-source system monitor in the menu bar.
Spec comparison
iStat Menus
- Price
- $11.99 one-time (Family Pack $14.99)
- Pricing model
- Paid
- License
- Proprietary
- Placement
- Menu bar
- Channels
- Direct · Setapp
- Category
- Menu Bar
Stats
- Price
- Free
- Pricing model
- Free
- License
- Open source
- Placement
- Menu bar
- Channels
- GitHub · Homebrew
- Category
- Menu Bar
The verdict
Stats is free, open source, and very widely used — the default if you want system monitoring without paying. iStat Menus costs money (one-time, also via Setapp) but is the reference for doing information density tastefully: CPU, network, sensors, and weather all glanceable in one polished menu bar presence. Pick Stats to save money, iStat Menus if that extra polish is worth paying for.
Which one should you pick?
Pick iStat Menus if…
- Pick iStat Menus if you want the most polished, tasteful information density in the menu bar
- Pick iStat Menus if you already have Setapp and want it included
- Pick iStat Menus if you’re willing to pay for the more refined system monitor
Pick Stats if…
- Pick Stats if you want a free, open-source system monitor
- Pick Stats if less polish in exchange for zero cost is a fine trade
- Pick Stats if you want the most widely-used open-source option
iStat Menus vs Stats — questions people ask
Is Stats a good free alternative to iStat Menus?
Yes — Stats is the open-source counterpart to iStat Menus: less polish, zero cost, and very widely used.
Is iStat Menus a subscription?
No — it’s listed as a one-time purchase, also available via Setapp.
Should I run both iStat Menus and Stats?
There’s no need — they do the same job, so most people pick one menu bar system monitor rather than both.