Free AirBuddy Alternative for Mac
Enjoy iOS-style AirPods connection popups right on your MacBook notch without paying $10.
Does Notchy work with Beats headphones?
Yes! Notchy supports AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and Beats bluetooth headphones.
Quick Setup Guide
- 1Install Notchy
Download Notchy from notchy.dev. It installs in seconds and takes up only 50MB of disk space.
- 2Grant Accessibility Permissions
Allow Accessibility access so Notchy can handle keyboard shortcuts, window snapping, and notch interactions.
- 3Enjoy Ultimate Mac Productivity
Hover over the notch at the top of your screen to reveal the interactive island and its built-in widgets.
What you get with Notchy
- Audio output switcher (speakers, AirPods, monitor)
- AirPods connection manager & battery
- System HUDs (volume, brightness, battery)
- Now Playing music controls (Apple Music & Spotify)
- Fluid Dynamic Island animations on the Mac notch
- Native SwiftUI, tuned for Apple Silicon
- 134 languages, fully localized
- Command palette (⌃⌥K) — every action one keystroke away
- Mac clipboard history shelf (password-manager safe)
Why Notchy leads the pack
While single-purpose utilities charge expensive subscription fees or license costs, Notchy gives you a completely free, native SwiftUI Dynamic Island. It integrates window snapping, clipboard history, Pomodoro timers, file drop shelves, and AI usage tracking directly into your Mac's notch.
Notchy vs AirBuddy
An honest look at how a free all-in-one notch app compares to a dedicated audio switcher app.
| Feature | Notchy | AirBuddy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free forever | $10 one-time |
| Audio output switching | ✓ Included | ✓ Core feature |
| AirPods battery & quick connect | ✓ Included | Varies |
| Now Playing controls | ✓ Included | — |
| Clipboard history | ✓ Included | — |
| Notch widgets & HUDs | ✓ 20+ built in | — |
Where AirBuddy shines: per-app volume control and pro-level audio routing that a notch utility doesn't attempt — fair is fair. Notchy just happens to bundle audio switcher tools with 20+ other utilities, free forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Notchy work with Beats headphones?
Yes! Notchy supports AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and Beats bluetooth headphones.
Is Notchy free to use?
Yes, Notchy is 100% free with no subscription, no ads, and no data tracking. It is supported purely by optional user coffee donations.
Does it drain my Mac's battery?
No. Because Notchy is built entirely in native SwiftUI, it idles at ~0.1% CPU. It does not run bloated web views or Electron frameworks in the background.