I’ve been searching for a clean way to control Spotify from my Mac without constantly switching between applications or keeping the full Spotify app visible. Like many remote workers juggling multiple communication channels and focus apps, I wanted music controls that stay out of the way but remain instantly accessible when needed.
Juice solves this perfectly by bringing essential music controls directly to your menu bar. The app works seamlessly with both Spotify and Apple Music, providing play, pause, next, previous, and the crucial “love” button for marking favorite tracks - all from a compact menubar interface that adapts to your workflow rather than disrupting it.
What impressed me during my testing on an M2 MacBook Air is how Juice handles the balance between functionality and simplicity. The menubar controls are customizable - you can choose which buttons to display, so if you only need pause and next controls, you’re not cluttered with options you don’t use. The mini-player window appears when you want track information but disappears when you don’t, maintaining a clean desktop experience.
The keyboard shortcuts integration is particularly useful for anyone who prefers keeping their hands on the keyboard. Juice responds to global hotkeys, so you can control playback while working in terminal, writing code, or managing documents without breaking your concentration. I found this especially valuable during remote work calls where I need to quickly adjust music without fumbling through application windows.
The app supports Spotify’s “love” functionality, which syncs properly with your Spotify account for improving recommendations and playlist management. This feature alone makes Juice more useful than many generic music control utilities that only provide basic playback functions.
Juice requires macOS 14.0 or later and uses minimal system resources - roughly 25MB of memory and negligible CPU usage when idle. The app maintains a 4.6-star rating with 87 reviews, indicating solid reliability across different Mac configurations. At $2.99, it represents good value for the focused functionality it provides.
The interface design follows Apple’s guidelines closely, supporting both light and dark mode themes that integrate naturally with your system appearance. For users with crowded menu bars, Juice’s compact footprint means it won’t contribute significantly to icon overflow issues that affect some menubar management apps.
One limitation worth noting: Juice works primarily as a control interface and doesn’t replace your main music application - you’ll still need Spotify or Apple Music running for actual playback. The app also focuses specifically on these two services, so users of other streaming platforms will need alternative solutions.
For anyone who keeps Spotify or Apple Music running throughout their workday but wants cleaner control access, Juice provides exactly the right level of functionality without bloat. The app particularly appeals to users who hide their Dock or prefer minimal desktop interfaces while maintaining easy access to essential music controls.
