Best menu bar calendar apps for Mac
How the main Mac menu bar calendars compare on editing, next-meeting countdown, time zones, reminders, minimum macOS and price, including where Blipcal fits.
The menu bar calendar apps compared
| Blipcal | Itsycal 0.28.0 | Itsycal 0.15.15 | Dato | Dot | Calendr | MeetingBar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $19 once | Free | Free | $18 once | $14.99 once | Free | Free |
| Minimum macOS (current build) | 14 | 27 | 11 (frozen) | 26 | 13 | 15 | 12 |
| Month grid under the menu bar | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Agenda of upcoming events | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Today only |
| Next event in the menu bar | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Countdown to the next event | Yes | No | No | Not checked | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Create events | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Edit existing events | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Natural-language quick add | Yes | No | No | Partial | Yes | Yes | No |
| Join meetings with one key | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Time zones or world clocks | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Reminders in the agenda | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Week numbers in the grid | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Intel Macs | No | No | Yes | Not checked | Yes | Not checked | Not checked |
| Open source | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
From the comparison matrix behind this site. Itsycal has two columns because it has two builds: 0.28.0 for macOS 27 and the frozen 0.15.15 for macOS 11 to 26. "Not checked" means we could not verify it and will not guess. Competitor details checked 6 November 2026; confirm on each vendor's site before relying on them.
How to choose a menu bar calendar app
Your macOS version
The biggest filter this year: the current Itsycal needs 27, Dato 26, Calendr and InstaCal 15.
Add and edit, or view only
Dot, Calendr, InstaCal and this app edit events. Itsycal and Dato do not.
Next meeting and countdown
In the menu bar, with one key to join. MeetingBar, Dot, Calendr and this app; Dato shows the next event too.
Time zones
A second clock, world clocks, or both. Dato, Dot, Calendr and this app. Itsycal has none.
Reminders
In the agenda beside your events. Dato, Dot, Calendr, Itsycal on 27, and this app on 14 and later.
Price model
Free and open source, one-time, or a yearly subscription.
Menu bar calendars by macOS version
The current build of each app and the oldest macOS it runs on.
| App | Current build | Runs on | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Itsycal | 0.28.0 | macOS 27 and later | The current build (4 Nov 2026). Every new feature ships here only. |
| Itsycal | 0.15.15 | macOS 11 to 26 | The legacy build (25 Sep 2026). Still downloadable, no new features. |
| Dato | 5.8.4 | macOS 26 and later | Older builds are offered free for macOS 10.14 to 15 but are frozen (5.4.4 for 14, 5.7.2 for 15). |
| Dot | 2.4.3 | macOS 13 and later | Apple silicon and Intel. |
| Calendr | 1.26.2 | macOS 15 and later | Free, open source. |
| InstaCal | Current | macOS 15 and later | Mac App Store only. A full calendar with a menu bar item. |
| MeetingBar | 5.0.0 | macOS 12 and later | Meetings only, no month grid. |
| Menu Bar Calendar (Sindre Sorhus) | Current | macOS 26 and later | A month grid only; it shows no events. |
| Blipcal | 1.0 | macOS 14 and later | Every feature on 14 Sonoma, 15 Sequoia, 26 Tahoe and 27 Golden Gate. Apple silicon. |
Current builds and minimum macOS versions as published on each vendor's site or App Store listing on 6 November 2026. Versions move; confirm before relying on them.
The apps, one by one
Itsycal
- Free, open source
- macOS 27 (0.15.15 frozen on 11 to 26)
- Cannot edit events
Best if you are on macOS 27, want it free and never edit an event.
Dato
- $18 once, App Store
- macOS 26 and later
- Cannot edit events
Best if you want the deepest world clocks and fullscreen alerts on macOS 26.
Dot
- $14.99 once, 3 Macs
- macOS 13 and later, Intel too
- Edits events
Best if you want the most features today, or run an Intel Mac.
Calendr
- Free, open source
- macOS 15 and later
- Edits events
Best if you want a free app that edits events, on macOS 15 or later.
MeetingBar
- Free, optional patronage
- macOS 12 and later
- No events, meetings only
Best if all you need is to join the next meeting on time.
Fantastical
- Premium, $56.99 a year
- macOS 12.4 and later
- Edits events
Best if you want a whole calendar and are happy to pay yearly.
InstaCal
- $19.99 once, App Store
- macOS 15 and later
- Edits events
Best if you want a full calendar on every Apple device for one price.
Menu Bar Calendar (Sindre Sorhus)
- Free, App Store
- macOS 26 and later
- No events, grid only
Best if you want only a month grid and nothing else.
Blipcal
- $19 once, two Macs
- macOS 14 and later
- Edits events
Best if you are on macOS 14 to 26, or want editing and time zones.
Where Blipcal fits among menu bar calendar apps
macOS 14 and later with every feature; editing and quick add; the next meeting with a countdown; time zones in the menu bar and in the panel; pay once for two Macs; and a month grid that stays free after the trial. Not yet: a week view (1.1), fullscreen alerts, event search, or Intel Macs.
Menu bar calendar FAQ
How do I choose a menu bar calendar app?
What is the best free menu bar calendar for Mac?
Which menu bar calendar still works on macOS 14 or 15?
Is Dato or Dot better?
Can a menu bar calendar edit events?
Subscription or one-time?
Try Blipcal free for 14 days
Today's date and your next meeting in the menu bar, a month grid and agenda one click away, and events you can add and edit in place. Pay once if you keep it.
- macOS 14 or later
- Apple silicon
- 14-day free trial