FavTray vs Boring Notch
Boring Notch is the free, open-source notch app most people try first: media, calendar, an AirDrop shelf, a camera mirror and HUDs. FavTray's FavShelf is a Dynamic Island with a free glance and a paid toolset built for developers, inside a wider menu bar app. Here's the honest side-by-side.
FavShelf's notch moments
Feature comparison
| Feature | FavTray | Boring Notch |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Glance free; full island with the $4.99 one-time Lifetime licence | Free |
| Open source | No | Yes, GPL-3.0 |
| macOS support | macOS 14 Sonoma and later | macOS 14 Sonoma and later |
| Latest version | 2.0.2 (28 September 2026) | 2.7.3 stable (24 November 2025); 2.8 release candidate (25 September 2026) |
| Install | DMG from favtray.com; signed, so macOS shows the normal downloaded-app prompt | DMG from GitHub releases, or a Homebrew tap; the README says to clear the quarantine flag once because the app isn't signed with an Apple Developer account |
| Media | Now playing with artwork, transport and seek (free glance) | Playback live activity with a visualizer |
| Calendar | TimeLens fisheye week with one-click join | Calendar and Reminders |
| File shelf | Shelf with AirDrop | Shelf with AirDrop |
| Camera | Camera self-check (built-in, external, Continuity) | Mirror, with a shape option |
| HUDs | Volume and power HUDs (free glance) | Volume, brightness and keyboard backlight HUDs; charging indicator |
| Weather | Multi-city, animated | On the roadmap, not shipped |
| Clipboard history | Yes | Not listed |
| Notifications | Moments: Claude/Codex limits, water and stand-up asks, goal and streak cheers | On the roadmap, not shipped |
| AI | Claude and Codex usage bars (free); Island Oracle on your own provider | None |
| Coding agents | Watch Claude Code and Codex; approve or deny Claude Code from the notch (Pro) | None |
| Macs without a notch | Floating glass bar at the top of the screen | A “Show on all displays” setting with a notch height for non-notch displays |
| Beyond the notch | Eye rest, AI usage, system stats, ports, window snapping, meetings and more | Notch only |
Boring Notch details checked on 2026-09-28 from its GitHub repository and README, releases, Homebrew tap and theboring.name. We'll correct anything the maintainers tell us is out of date. FavTray details reflect version 2.0.2.
The verdict
Pick Boring Notch if you want a free notch you can audit. It does media, calendar and Reminders, a shelf with AirDrop, a camera mirror and HUDs well, and it's actively developed, with a 2.8 release candidate out on 25 September 2026. The one-time Gatekeeper step is the only real friction.
Pick FavTray if the notch should report on your work, not just your music: meetings with join buttons, clipboard history, weather, Claude and Codex limits, and Claude Code approvals, alongside eye rest, system stats and ports in one menu bar app. The glance is free; the tools come with a one-time $4.99 Lifetime licence.
Setting up Boring Notch? Our Boring Notch install and setup guide covers the Gatekeeper step. Deciding between the two big names? Read Boring Notch vs NotchNook.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boring Notch better than FavTray?
For a free, open-source notch, yes: Boring Notch gives you media with a visualizer, calendar and Reminders, an AirDrop shelf, a camera mirror and HUD replacements for $0, with code anyone can read. FavTray's FavShelf is the pick if you want the notch to carry your work: a calendar with join buttons, clipboard history, weather, Claude and Codex usage, and Claude Code approvals, next to the rest of FavTray.
Is Boring Notch free?
Yes. Boring Notch is free and open source under GPL-3.0, with no paid tier. Its site calls it the free, open-source app, and downloads come from its GitHub releases page or a Homebrew tap.
Is FavTray's notch free?
The glance is. Every FavTray install shows now playing with artwork and seek, live weather, Claude and Codex usage bars, and volume and power HUDs, with no account. The island's tools (camera check, clipboard, file shelf, calendar, Oracle, notifications) unlock with any paid plan, which is a one-time $4.99 Lifetime licence. Every install gets a 7-day full trial first.
Why does macOS block Boring Notch?
Because it isn't signed with an Apple Developer account, which its README says plainly. The README's fix is to run xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine on the app once, or use System Settings, Privacy & Security, Open Anyway. The Homebrew tap's cask removes the quarantine flag for you.
Does Boring Notch have weather or notifications?
Not yet. As of 28 September 2026, weather, notifications, Bluetooth live activity and lock-screen widgets are unchecked items on its README roadmap. FavShelf has weather in the free glance and notifications (moments) with a paid licence.
Can I run both?
Technically yes, but two apps drawing over the same notch will fight for hover. Pick one for the notch. FavTray's other tools, like Eye Rest, AI Usage and System, work with FavShelf's island switched off.
More: Best Mac notch apps · Free Dynamic Island apps · FavTray vs NotchNook · FavShelf