Free and Open Source
AirStats
Choosing from 16 menu bar metrics, including CPU, GPU, network and temperature.
The Catch It runs only on Apple Silicon Macs.
iStat Menus Alternatives
iStat Menus alternatives for Mac: AirStats and MacMonitor are free and open source, Vitals groups usage by app, and Sensei adds cleanup tools at a higher price.
iStat Menus covers many metrics and offers detailed customization. These picks narrow the scope or combine monitoring with a different job.
- Price
- From $18
- Requires
- macOS 13.5 or later
- Open Source
- No
- Last Checked
- 2026-10-31
Why Look Elsewhere?
iStat Menus costs from $18, and its weather feature needs a separate subscription. Consider a smaller monitor if you use only a few metrics. Choose app-level history for troubleshooting, or a broader utility if cleaning and maintenance belong in the same workflow.
Five Places to Start
Free Essentials
MacMonitor
Checking CPU thermal state, RAM, disk and battery from the menu bar.
The Catch It shows thermal state levels rather than temperatures, and there are no GPU or network metrics.
App-Level History
Vitals
Seeing resource use grouped by app, with 30-day history.
The Catch The free trial lasts three days, and app-level grouping hides some process detail.
Charts for Less
MetalStat
Watching CPU, memory, disk, network and temperature with live charts.
The Catch It runs only on Apple Silicon, and it locks after a 3-day trial until a $7.99 licence is activated.
Maintenance Included
Sensei
Combining performance monitoring with disk cleanup and app removal.
The Catch It costs $59 one-time or $29 a year, and it may duplicate tools you already use.
Compare the Trade-Offs
| App | Best For | Price | The Catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirStats | Choosing from 16 menu bar metrics, including CPU, GPU, network and temperature. | Free | It runs only on Apple Silicon Macs. |
| MacMonitor | Checking CPU thermal state, RAM, disk and battery from the menu bar. | Free | It shows thermal state levels rather than temperatures, and there are no GPU or network metrics. |
| Vitals | Seeing resource use grouped by app, with 30-day history. | Paid | The free trial lasts three days, and app-level grouping hides some process detail. |
| MetalStat | Watching CPU, memory, disk, network and temperature with live charts. | Paid | It runs only on Apple Silicon, and it locks after a 3-day trial until a $7.99 licence is activated. |
| Sensei | Combining performance monitoring with disk cleanup and app removal. | $59 one-time / $29 yearly | It costs $59 one-time or $29 a year, and it may duplicate tools you already use. |
Before You Switch
These comparisons use the linked directory entries, not a new hands-on test. Confirm current pricing, requirements and release status with each developer. Missing facts are marked “Not Listed.”
Questions Before Choosing
Which options are free?
AirStats and MacMonitor are free and open source. Vitals, MetalStat and Sensei are paid; review the linked entries before purchasing.
Do these replace every iStat Menus feature?
No. Compare the metrics you actually use, especially sensors, weather and history, before switching.
Which alternatives run on Intel Macs?
AirStats and MetalStat run only on Apple Silicon. MacMonitor is a universal binary. Check the other entries before installing on an Intel Mac.