Vanilla
Matthew Palmer
Vanilla is a free, easy-to-use Mac app that helps you declutter your menu bar by hiding icons. It allows you to hide infrequently used menu bar icons, keeping your menu bar clean and focused on essential information.
User Sentiments
Top Likes
- Simple and easy to use
- Free version available
- Effective for decluttering menu bar
Top Dislikes
- Limited features in free version
- Pro version needed for advanced customization
- Some users may find it too basic
Popular Comments
MacUpdate User - Works great, went pro
2023-09-28
Works great, went pro. I like it—although Big Sur helps—I really prefer having the option of both. And the last update made fixed the minor glitches it had before. Great name, great icon, great app.
DotDev
Unknown year, mentioned in multiple sources
It's hard to beat. If you are looking to hide your menu bar icons, check out Vanilla.
Reddit User - comment from r/mac
2020-08-09
This very cool Mac app called Vanilla allows you to hide and remove menu bar icons!
Product Hunt User - wojtek
8 years ago from 2025, so 2017
Nice one! Glad to see some competition to Bartender. Although I'll keep using it while my license is valid :)
Product Hunt User - Marwan
8 years ago from 2025, so 2017
This is awesome, and the pro version is a lot more reasonably priced than Bartender. Unlocked pro instantly
MacRumors
2024-06-06
Vanilla (Free) – Simple app that lets you hide menu bar icons. Just hold Command and drag icons between hidden and visible sections. Vanilla Pro ($10) adds keyboard shortcuts, a removed section, start at login, and an auto-hide option after 5 seconds.
Detailed Review
Vanilla is a lightweight and user-friendly macOS application designed to help users manage and declutter their menu bar. It addresses the common problem of having too many icons crowding the menu bar, making it visually overwhelming and potentially hindering quick access to important information. Vanilla offers a simple solution by allowing users to selectively hide menu bar icons, creating a cleaner and more organized workspace. While the basic functionality is free, a Pro version unlocks additional features for power users.
Standout Features
- Icon Hiding: Easily hide menu bar icons to reduce clutter and improve visual organization.
- Free Version: Offers basic icon hiding functionality for free.
- Simple Interface: Very easy to use with a straightforward drag-and-drop mechanism for hiding icons.
- Vanilla Pro (Paid):
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Use custom keyboard shortcuts to toggle the hidden icons section.
- Completely Remove Icons: Option to completely remove icons from the menu bar, accessible only through Vanilla's preferences.
- Auto-hide Icons: Automatically hide icons after a set period.
- Start at Login: Automatically launch Vanilla when you log in to your Mac.
Conclusion
Vanilla is a great utility for Mac users seeking a simple and effective way to manage menu bar icons. Its free version provides essential hiding capabilities, while Vanilla Pro offers advanced customization and control for those who need it. It's particularly useful for users who install many applications that add menu bar icons and desire a cleaner, less cluttered macOS experience. For users looking for more advanced menu bar management with extensive customization options, Bartender might be a more feature-rich alternative, but Vanilla provides a simpler and more affordable solution for basic menu bar decluttering.
