vs
MenuMeters
ActiveStat · A modern MenuMeters alternative
ActiveStat vs MenuMeters
MenuMeters is a classic — small, free, and trusted by Mac users for years. ActiveStat is a modern take on the same idea: a native menu bar monitor built for current macOS, sandboxed and notarized, with a calm interface and sensible defaults.
At a glance
| ActiveStat | MenuMeters | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $6.99 one-time, 7-day trial | Free, donation-supported |
| Distribution | Mac App Store, sandboxed | Direct download from project page |
| Notarized | Yes | Varies by build |
| Apple Silicon native | Yes | Yes (community-maintained fork) |
| Metrics | CPU (P/E cores), RAM, disk, battery, GPU, thermal | CPU, RAM, disk activity, network |
| Visual style | Modern, glass dropdown | Classic, compact menu bar |
| Updates | Regular Mac App Store releases | Community / volunteer cadence |
Where they're similar
The same menu bar idea
Both apps live in the menu bar. Both surface CPU and RAM at a glance, with deeper readings one click away. Neither asks for an account. Neither runs ads. Neither tries to be a kitchen-sink suite.
If you've used MenuMeters and felt at home with it, ActiveStat is a small step sideways into a more recent visual language — not a redesign of the underlying job.
Where they differ
Modern shell, smaller surface area
MenuMeters originated in the early 2000s and has been carried forward by community maintainers. That history is part of its charm — and part of why some users hit installation friction on newer macOS versions, especially around system extensions and notarization.
ActiveStat is a fresh native build. It's sandboxed, distributed through the Mac App Store, and signed by Apple — so installation is the standard click-and-go. The trade-off is straightforward: ActiveStat asks $6.99 once to fund that polish.
Battery, done right
MenuMeters doesn't focus heavily on battery. ActiveStat surfaces battery health and time-remaining estimates, and battery alerts only fire when you're actually on battery — never while charging.
Network monitoring
MenuMeters has a long-standing network meter. ActiveStat doesn't show live network throughput today — that's a clear gap if it's a daily-use feature for you.
Pick the right one
Which should you choose?
Choose MenuMeters if free is non-negotiable, you want network throughput in the menu bar, and you don't mind the older visual language.
Choose ActiveStat if you want a current, sandboxed Mac App Store app with a modern UI, predictable updates, and a calmer feel — and you're fine with $6.99 once for that.
FAQ
Is ActiveStat truly native on Apple Silicon?
Yes. It's compiled for arm64 and runs natively on M-series chips, with the same build supporting Intel Macs on macOS 14 or later.
Does ActiveStat install a kernel extension?
No. ActiveStat uses Apple's public APIs only and is sandboxed for the Mac App Store, so there's nothing to grant kernel-level access to.
What about per-process CPU usage?
ActiveStat focuses on aggregate readings rather than per-process breakdowns. For deep per-process inspection, Activity Monitor (built into macOS) is the right tool.
Can I try it without paying?
Yes. There's a 7-day free trial through the Mac App Store.
Same menu bar habit, refreshed
If MenuMeters has been your menu bar muscle memory and you want a current take that's notarized and quietly maintained, ActiveStat is $6.99 once with a 7-day trial.