Window management on Mac is back in the spotlight, with users pitting Tahoe against Barbee, Ice, and Bartender while eyes drift toward a Stage Manager alternative. The vibe isn’t just about comfort—it's about reliability, automation, and what “polish” actually means on macOS today.
Tahoe vs. Barbee/Ice/Spaced/Bartender
People report that Tahoe struggles to hide menu-bar icons reliably on 26.0.1, while Barbee mostly works but automation is flaky and wake-hibernation quirks show up. Ice and Spaced mix up icons after restart and lack automation, and Bartender looks solid at first but startup icon placement can be unstable; when automation runs, the app can become unstable and push CPU/memory use higher [1].
Workarounds and preferences
Some users drop menu-bar hacks entirely and rely on built‑in hiding, but others lean on tweaks like Menu Bar Spacing from Sindre to squeeze more usable space between icons [1]. It’s a reminder that the Mac menu bar remains a playground for those chasing calmer, tidier workspaces.
Stage Manager appetite and the pull of alternatives
On the Stage Manager front, a creator built an app to center and focus the active window—aimed at a more customizable, focused session. It’s not released yet due to Accessibility limits, but chatter is positive: the app is described as compatible with Stage Manager and could act as a companion visual effect. Some say, “release it,” others note the potential polish still needed [2].
Bottom line: there’s real appetite for Stage Manager‑compatible tools, but reliability and polish remain the gatekeepers for broader adoption.
References
Mac Tahoe and Menu bar management Tool - which do you choose?
People compare Barbee, Ice, Bartender; Tahoe 26 issues; many rely on built-in hide; mixed results; some prefer Barbee today overall.
View sourceShould I release this Stage Manager alternative?
Mac app idea to center active window; discussed Stage Manager compatibility; mixed feedback on release, pricing, and features by users.
View source