Vanilla

Vanilla is a macOS app for hiding menu bar icons. Its free plan covers hiding icons, while the $$10 one-time Pro purchase adds keyboard shortcuts for toggling menu bar and desktop icons, automatic hiding five seconds after toggling, and an option to start at login. Pro also offers a “Completely Removed” section, where icons are visible only in Vanilla’s preferences window. An activation code can be used up to 10 times by default. On macOS Catalina and later, Vanilla requires Screen Recording permission to hide icons. The maker says it takes menu bar screenshots for this purpose but does not save or transmit them; internet access is used only for checking updates and validating Pro license codes. Vanilla is compatible with MacBooks with display notches, though setup may require rearranging menu bar items. The maker offers email support and suggests including device and operating system details when asking for help.

Vanilla focuses on hiding Mac menu bar icons, with additional controls in its one-time Pro version. Users should account for the Screen Recording permission requirement on macOS Catalina and later.

Vanilla suits Mac users who want to hide menu bar icons. Pro may suit users who also want keyboard shortcuts, automatic hiding or icons kept out of view except in preferences.

Overview

Vanilla is a macOS utility for hiding and grouping menu bar icons, suited to Mac users who want a less crowded menu bar without adding a recurring software bill. The free tier handles basic hiding; Pro is for users who want shortcuts, automatic hiding, and more control over which icons remain visible.

Key features

Hide and group menu items

Vanilla can hide and group menu bar items, helping keep less-used icons out of the way while leaving others accessible. Pro’s “Completely Removed” section takes that further: icons placed there appear only in Vanilla’s preferences window. That is useful for icons you do not want in the menu bar at all, but it makes Pro necessary for this deeper cleanup.

Shortcuts and automatic hiding

Pro adds keyboard shortcuts to toggle menu bar and desktop icons, and can automatically hide icons five seconds after you toggle them in Vanilla. These controls suit users who regularly adjust what is visible; for occasional tidying, the free plan may be enough.

Login, displays, and notch support

Pro can start Vanilla when you log in, reducing the need to launch it manually. Vanilla supports multiple displays and MacBooks with display notches, though notch setup may require rearranging menu bar items. The maker also offers Vanilla 3 in beta for macOS 27 Golden Gate.

Permissions and privacy

On macOS Catalina and later, Vanilla requires Screen Recording permission to hide icons. The app says it takes menu bar screenshots for this purpose and does not save or transmit them. It says internet access is limited to checking for updates and validating Pro license codes. Users should weigh the permission requirement against their comfort with the app’s stated handling of screenshots.

Pricing

Vanilla Free: free. It covers hiding menu bar icons, making it the sensible starting point for users who need basic cleanup and can do without Pro’s extra controls.

Vanilla Pro: $10, paid once, billed as a one-time purchase. It adds keyboard shortcuts, completely removing icons from the menu bar, auto-hiding five seconds after toggling, and start at login. The purchase includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, and its activation code can be used up to 10 times by default. Pro fits users who want these controls without a subscription; the free plan gives up all of them.

Platforms

Vanilla is for macOS. It supports multiple displays and notched MacBooks, with possible menu bar rearrangement during notch setup. Screen Recording permission is required on macOS Catalina and later.

Who it's for

Vanilla suits Mac users who want to hide or group menu bar items, especially those who value a one-time Pro purchase and need shortcuts, automatic hiding, or launch at login. It is less suitable for users who do not want to grant Screen Recording permission or who only need a free, open-source utility.

Pros and cons

• Pro offers a focused set of useful controls: shortcuts, five-second auto-hide, launch at login, and a section that removes selected icons from the menu bar entirely.
• One-time Pro pricing: $10, paid once avoids a recurring subscription, and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Works across multiple displays and notched MacBooks: though notch setup may require rearranging items.
• Screen Recording permission is required on newer macOS versions: a meaningful tradeoff for users who prefer to avoid that access.
• The free plan is limited to hiding icons: shortcuts, complete removal, auto-hide, and start-at-login require Pro.

Alternatives

For other menu bar tools, browse Menu Bar Customization Software.

• Lloyd is a free macOS menu-bar utility under an MIT license; choose it if a free option is the priority.
• SwiftBar is a free, open-source project for macOS 12 or later that runs plugins from a local folder; pick it if plugin support and an open-source model matter more than Vanilla’s icon-hiding controls.
• Cornice is free for macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later on Apple Silicon; consider it if that platform coverage suits your Mac.
• Dozer is a free option for macOS 10.13 or later.
• GreatBar is free for now and supports macOS 14.0 or later.
• Hidden Bar is a free, open-source option for macOS 13 Ventura or later, with macOS 10.13–12.x also supported.
• iBar-Menubar has a free download with in-app purchases; consider it if that pricing model fits better.
• Ice 2 is a free, open-source macOS app.

Verdict

Choose Vanilla if you want a focused Mac menu bar cleaner and prefer paying once for shortcuts, automatic hiding, and launch at login. Its free plan is enough for basic hiding, but users who want those extras without paying—or who are uncomfortable granting Screen Recording permission on newer macOS versions—should look elsewhere.