Freedom251 › Menu Bar Customization Software

SwiftBar

Free plan Mac

What SwiftBar is

SwiftBar displays the output of custom scripts in the macOS menu bar, where that output can become a compact menu with interactive items. Scripts can be written in Bash, Python, Ruby, Swift, or JavaScript, and users define when they run. Menu formatting supports icons, colors, dropdown menus, submenus, and click actions. Items can open URLs, run shell scripts, refresh plugins, or invoke assigned keyboard shortcuts.

SwiftBar includes a plugin repository accessible through its Get Plugins menu; its product page describes hundreds of community-created plugins. Its plugin API is adopted from BitBar, so existing BitBar and xbar plugins can run in SwiftBar. It also supports plugins made with the macOS Shortcuts app and provides a user interface for configuring their refresh schedule. Plugins are executable scripts that produce output in SwiftBar's required format; refresh intervals can be set in filenames or with cron syntax in metadata. Packaged plugins can use a .swiftbar directory containing a main script and optional supporting files. SwiftBar is a free, open source project by Ameba under the MIT license. It requires macOS 12 or later and can be downloaded directly or installed through Homebrew.

Who it suits

SwiftBar suits macOS users who want script output, shortcuts, or community plugins available from the menu bar. It is a fit for people comfortable using executable scripts and setting their refresh schedules.

What it does well

Free and open source under the MIT license.
Supports Bash, Python, Ruby, Swift, and JavaScript plugins.
Formats menus with icons, colors, submenus, and click actions.
Runs existing BitBar and xbar plugins.
Offers a bundled plugin repository and Shortcuts support.
Available as a direct download or through Homebrew.

What to know first

Requires macOS 12 or later.
Plugins must be executable scripts that produce SwiftBar-formatted output.
The free plan runs plugins from a local folder.

Limits

The free plan is for macOS 12 or later and runs plugins from a local folder. Plugins must be executable scripts that produce output in SwiftBar's required format.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	macOS 12 or later · open source · run plugins from a local folder	Free

As swiftbar.app lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit https://swiftbar.app/.
Use a Mac running macOS 12 or later.
Download SwiftBar directly or install it through Homebrew.
Add executable plugins from a local folder or browse the Get Plugins repository.
Set plugin refresh timing in filenames or with cron syntax in metadata.

Verdict

Choose SwiftBar if you use macOS and want scheduled script output and interactive menu items without a paid plan. Look elsewhere if you need a platform other than macOS or do not want to work with executable plugins.

Questions

Is SwiftBar free?

Yes. Its Free plan is listed as free, and SwiftBar is open source under the MIT license.

Which operating systems does SwiftBar support?

SwiftBar requires macOS 12 or later.

How can I install SwiftBar?

The maker offers a direct download from GitHub Releases and installation through Homebrew.

Which languages can SwiftBar plugins use?

Plugins can be written in Bash, Python, Ruby, Swift, or JavaScript.

Can SwiftBar run BitBar or xbar plugins?

Yes. Its plugin API is adopted from BitBar and can run existing BitBar and xbar plugins.

Who makes SwiftBar?

The product page identifies it as an open source project by Ameba.

Facts from SwiftBar's own pages

BitBar compatibility: The plugin API is adopted from BitBar, so SwiftBar can run existing BitBar plugins. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Distribution: The maker's page offers a direct macOS download and installation through Homebrew. · ameba.co, 8 Oct 2026
Install options: SwiftBar is available as a direct download from GitHub Releases or through Homebrew. · ameba.co, 9 Oct 2026
Languages: Plugins can be written in Bash, Python, Ruby, Swift, or JavaScript. · ameba.co, 9 Oct 2026
License: The GitHub repository identifies SwiftBar as MIT licensed. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Maker: The product page identifies SwiftBar as an open source project by Ameba. · ameba.co, 9 Oct 2026
Menu formatting: Menu items support icons, colors, dropdown menus, click actions, and parameters. · ameba.co, 9 Oct 2026
Minimum macOS version: The project README says SwiftBar runs on macOS Monterey (12) and later. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Packaged plugins: SwiftBar supports packaged plugins in .swiftbar directories, with a main script and optional supporting files. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Plugin actions: Plugin menu items can open URLs, run shell scripts, refresh plugins, and use assigned keyboard shortcuts. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Plugin execution: Plugins are executable scripts; SwiftBar runs them and uses their standard output to build menu items. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Plugin library: SwiftBar provides access to a bundled plugin repository, and its product page describes hundreds of community-created plugins. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Plugin repository: SwiftBar includes a plugin repository accessible from its Get Plugins menu. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Plugin requirements: Plugins are executable scripts that produce output in SwiftBar's required format. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Plugin scheduling: Plugin refresh intervals can be specified in filenames or with cron syntax in metadata. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Project status: The maker describes SwiftBar as an open source project by Ameba. · ameba.co, 8 Oct 2026
Purpose: SwiftBar runs scripts from a plugin folder and displays their output in the macOS menu bar. · ameba.co, 9 Oct 2026
Scheduled refresh: Scripts run on a schedule the user defines. · ameba.co, 8 Oct 2026
Scheduling: Plugins can run on a schedule defined by the user. · ameba.co, 9 Oct 2026
Script languages: Scripts can be written in Bash, Python, Ruby, Swift, or JavaScript. · ameba.co, 8 Oct 2026
Shortcuts: SwiftBar supports plugins made with the macOS Shortcuts app and provides a UI to configure their refresh schedule. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Supported OS: The latest stable release, version 2.1.1, requires macOS 12 or later. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026

Where SwiftBar stands on Freedom251

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