NotchPop vsNotchBuddy.
NotchBuddy is $19.99 (one-time). NotchPop is $3.99 once and has 5 features from our comparison that NotchBuddy doesn't list. Here is the side-by-side.
At a glance
Where NotchPop and NotchBuddy differ, from the feature matrix on our comparison page.
Only in NotchPop
- AirDrop quick send
- Audio output switcherSpeakers, AirPods, AirPlay and more
- Volume and brightness HUD
- Join meetings from the notchZoom, Google Meet and Teams, one click
- Message alerts + replyiMessage and WhatsApp
Only in NotchBuddy
Nothing in our comparison that NotchPop lacks.
Both apps
24 features in common, including file shelf / drag-drop tray, clipboard manager, clipboard search and pinned items, image conversion.
Feature by feature
| Feature | NotchPop$3.99 | NotchBuddy$19.99 |
|---|---|---|
| Files and sharing | ||
| File shelf / drag-drop tray | IncludedParks files right in the notch | Included |
| AirDrop quick send | Included | Not included |
| Clipboard manager | IncludedOpt-in, stays on your Mac | Included |
| Clipboard search and pinned items | Included | Included |
| Image conversion | IncludedPNG, JPEG, HEIC and PDF, on-device | Included |
| Media and audio | ||
| Now Playing controls | IncludedApple Music and Spotify | Included |
| Audio output switcher | IncludedSpeakers, AirPods, AirPlay and more | Not included |
| Ambient soundscapes | IncludedRain, ocean, café, forest, white noise | Included |
| System HUDs and glanceables | ||
| Volume and brightness HUD | Included | Not included |
| Weather widget | IncludedHourly and daily forecasts | Included |
| System stats | IncludedCPU, memory, disk, network, battery | Included |
| Productivity | ||
| Calendar and events | IncludedMonth view and day agenda | Included |
| Join meetings from the notch | IncludedZoom, Google Meet and Teams, one click | Not included |
| Focus timer / Pomodoro | IncludedLive countdown while collapsed | Included |
| Reminders and tasks | IncludedNatural-language reminders | Included |
| Notes and scratchpad | Included | Included |
| Hydration reminders | Included | Included |
| Emoji picker | Included | Included |
| Unit and currency converter | Included | Included |
| Developers and makers | ||
| AI coding activity | IncludedClaude Code, Codex, Cursor, Grok | Included |
| Revenue dashboard | IncludedStripe, Polar, Dodo Payments, AdSense | Included |
| Website analytics | IncludedGoogle Analytics 4 | Included |
| Screen time | Included | Included |
| Notifications | ||
| Message alerts + reply | IncludediMessage and WhatsApp | Not included |
| Platform | ||
| Works without a notch | IncludedFloating island on any display | Included |
| External display support | Included | Included |
| Runs on Intel Macs | IncludedUniversal: Apple Silicon and Intel | Included |
| Notarized download / Mac App Store | Included | Included |
| Value | ||
| Free or one-time purchase available | Included$3.99 once, 7-day free trial | Included |
| Open source | Not included | Not included |
Which should you choose?
Both are Mac notch apps. Here's who each one suits, based on the comparison above.
Choose NotchPop if
- You want AirDrop quick send, audio output switcher and volume and brightness HUD in the same app.
- You'd rather pay $3.99 once than $19.99.
- You want to try everything free for 7 days before you pay.
Choose NotchBuddy if
- You already own NotchBuddy and the 24 features you both have cover what you need.
Other NotchBuddy alternatives
Every Mac notch app we compared, by how many of the 30 features in our table it includes. Or see them all in one table on the Mac notch app comparison.
Frequently asked
questions
Try NotchPop instead of NotchBuddy
Try every feature free for 7 days. Keep it for a one-time $3.99, no subscription, ever.
macOS 14 Sonoma or later, Apple Silicon and Intel, notched and non-notch Macs.
Reviewed September 23, 2026 using NotchBuddy's own site and published materials. Gray dashes mean a capability isn't in the app's published feature set; closed-source apps have not been exhaustively tested. Prices are listed US prices unless another currency is shown.
This is NotchPop's own comparison. Send a correction. Product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.