Updated
The 5 best Dynamic Island apps for Mac
Five apps that turn the MacBook notch into an island: it grows to show the song, timer or AirPods that need you, then tucks back. Ranked on price, which Macs they install on, and what the island actually shows.
By Vishva Variya, the developer of Notchy, which is ranked here. Prices and macOS minimums come from each vendor and are cited on the linked comparison pages.
The ranking at a glance
| # | App | Price | Minimum macOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notchy | Free | macOS 13 Ventura+, Intel and Apple silicon |
| 2 | Alcove | $14.99 one-time | macOS 15 Sequoia+ |
| 3 | NotchNook | $15 one-time or $2/month | macOS 14 Sonoma+ |
| 4 | Boring Notch | Free, open source | macOS 14 Sonoma+ |
| 5 | Atoll | Free, open source (GPL-3.0) | macOS 14 Sonoma+, notched MacBook Pro |
1.Notchy
Free · macOS 13 Ventura+, Intel and Apple silicon
- Island highlights
- One island that springs open, shows live activities (music, timers, calls, downloads) and short status islands for AirPods or charging, then settles back. On a Mac with no notch it draws the island at the top of the screen instead.
- Best for
- Older Macs, Macs without a notch, and anyone who also wants clipboard history, a file shelf and timers in the same free app.
- The catch
- A newer app with a smaller community than Alcove. Also: this page is written by Notchy's developer.
2.Alcove
$14.99 one-time · macOS 15 Sequoia+
- Island highlights
- Mature animations and a strong music HUD, with lock-screen support.
- Best for
- A Mac already on Sequoia, where the island is mostly for media and paying once is fine.
- The catch
- No clipboard history, Pomodoro or file shelf, and Macs on Ventura or Sonoma can't install it.
3.NotchNook
$15 one-time or $2/month · macOS 14 Sonoma+
- Island highlights
- Refined visual design from the Lo.cafe team, with a file tray for drag and drop.
- Best for
- Setapp subscribers, who get it included, and people who prefer its look.
- The catch
- The highest one-time price here. No clipboard history or Pomodoro.
4.Boring Notch
Free, open source · macOS 14 Sonoma+
- Island highlights
- Music controls, a calendar, a file shelf with AirDrop and system HUDs, in a public codebase.
- Best for
- People who want to read or build the source.
- The catch
- No clipboard history or Pomodoro, and nothing for Ventura.
5.Atoll
Free, open source (GPL-3.0) · macOS 14 Sonoma+, notched MacBook Pro
- Island highlights
- Media, live activities, system stats, timers, clipboard and lock-screen widgets.
- Best for
- Notched MacBook Pro owners who want an open-source island with more widgets than Boring Notch.
- The catch
- A Mac mini, a Studio or a MacBook Air without a notch is out. English only.
Also considered
- Sapphire: Free, open-source core (AGPL-3.0) with Face ID on Mac, Snap Zones and a file shelf. Its sports Live Activity and Blip AI agent sit in the Pro tier at $25.99 a month, and tiers run $15.99 to $30.99 a month. Needs macOS 14.6. It ranks below these five because the island's live features are the paid part.
- Seam: A light island with music, a focus timer, calendar and weather, plus local dictation and speech translation. $29 once after a 48-hour trial, Apple silicon only, macOS 14.
- DynamicLake: A paid island app with calendar and weather widgets, macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Looking at notch apps generally, including shelf and menu-bar tools that don't do the island? The wider list of 15 is on best Mac notch apps.
How this was ranked
Three questions, in order: will it install on your Mac, what does it cost, and what does the island show once it's running. Prices and macOS minimums are from each vendor's site or App Store listing, checked on the dates given on each linked page. There is no lab benchmark behind the order, and no affiliate or sponsored placement. It reflects the priorities of Notchy's developer.
Dynamic Island apps for Mac: FAQ
What is the best Dynamic Island app for Mac?
It depends on your Mac. On macOS 13 Ventura, on Intel, or on a Mac without a notch, Notchy is the one that installs and it is free. On Sequoia with a budget for media visuals, Alcove at $14.99. If you want open source, Boring Notch, or Atoll on a notched MacBook Pro. This ranking is by Notchy's developer, so weigh it with that in mind.
Is there a free Dynamic Island app for Mac?
Yes. Notchy is free with no tiers or trial. Boring Notch and Atoll are free and open source. Sapphire is free at the core but charges $15.99 to $30.99 a month for its AI, sports and stock features. Alcove ($14.99) and NotchNook ($15) are paid.
Do any Macs have a Dynamic Island built in?
No. The Dynamic Island is an iPhone feature. These apps make the MacBook camera notch behave like one: it grows to show what is playing or running, then shrinks back.
Which Dynamic Island app works on macOS 13 Ventura?
Of the apps on this page, only Notchy. Boring Notch, Atoll, NotchNook, Seam and DynamicLake need macOS 14, Sapphire needs 14.6 and Alcove needs macOS 15.
Can I use a Dynamic Island app on a Mac without a notch?
Some of them. Notchy and Sapphire draw the island at the top of the screen on a Mac mini, iMac, older MacBook or external display, and Seam has an island mode for Macs without a notch. Atoll requires a notched MacBook Pro.