Comparison
NotchNook alternative: NotchDodo vs NotchNook
NotchNook helped make the MacBook notch useful. As of late September 2026 it can't be downloaded, so here is an honest look at how NotchDodo compares if you're looking for something to use instead.
Facts checked 28 September 2026. We make NotchDodo, so read this knowing that.
Pick NotchNook if
- You already have NotchNook installed and it still works for you.
- You want one licence for up to 5 Macs.
- You prefer its widget-style layout and deep customisation.
Pick NotchDodo if
- You want an app you can download and install today.
- You want productivity tools in the notch: Pomodoro, tasks, notes, reminders and screen time.
- You use Claude Code, Codex or Gemini CLI and want your usage in view.
- You'd rather pay once than subscribe.
Side by side
| NotchDodo | NotchNook | |
|---|---|---|
| Available to download today | Yes | No. Site and download offline |
| Price | $4.99 launch price, then $14.99, one-time | $25 one-time or $3 a month |
| Macs per licence | 2 | 5 one-time, 2 on subscription |
| Refund window | 14 days | 15 days |
| Try before you commit | 14-day money-back guarantee | Not listed on its own site |
| macOS | 14 Sonoma or later | 14.6 or later |
| Macs without a notch | Yes | Yes |
| Music controls | Apple Music and Spotify | Yes, players not listed |
| File shelf with AirDrop | Yes | Yes |
| Calendar in the notch | Yes | Yes |
| One-click meeting join | Zoom, Meet, Teams | Not listed |
| Webcam mirror | Yes | Yes |
| Pomodoro and timers | Yes | Not listed |
| Tasks, notes and reminders | Yes | Not listed |
| Screen time and system stats | Yes | Not listed |
| Claude Code, Codex and Gemini CLI usage | Yes | Not listed |
| Widgets | 14 built-in tools | Yes |
“Not listed” means we could not find it on NotchNook's own pages. Tell us if that is wrong and we will fix it.
Where NotchNook stands right now
On 28 September 2026, notchnook.app returned an error, the download link on lo.cafe returned “not found”, and Homebrew had disabled its NotchNook cask as unreachable. Its Setapp listing was also gone.
The developers have posted a statement at lo.cafe about the situation and a planned successor app. If you have a NotchNook licence, that page is the place to check. We have no inside knowledge, and a copy you already have installed may well keep working.
What NotchNook did well
NotchNook was one of the first apps to turn the notch into something worth hovering. Its tray, AirDrop, calendar and webcam mirror set the pattern most notch apps follow, and a single one-time licence covered 5 Macs, which is generous.
Where NotchDodo is different
NotchDodo leans towards getting work done. Alongside music, the shelf and your calendar, it puts a Pomodoro timer, tasks, notes, reminders, a calculator, screen time and live system stats in the notch, and every calendar event with a Zoom, Meet or Teams link gets a join button.
It is also the only notch app we know of that tracks Claude Code, Codex and Gemini CLI usage: tokens, estimated cost and your Claude Code 5-hour window, read from logs on your Mac.
Questions
Is NotchNook still available?
Not to download, as of 28 September 2026. Its website and download link were offline and Homebrew had disabled its cask. The developers have posted a statement at lo.cafe about their plans.
Can I use my NotchNook licence with NotchDodo?
No. They are separate apps from separate developers, so licences don't carry over.
Does NotchDodo work on Macs without a notch?
Yes. On a Mac without a notch, NotchDodo draws a simulated one at the top of the screen with the same tools.
Is NotchDodo a subscription?
No. It is a one-time purchase that covers 2 Macs, with a 14-day refund.
Does NotchDodo run on Intel Macs?
No. NotchDodo needs an Apple silicon Mac running macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Try NotchDodo and decide for yourself.
One-time $4.99 for 2 Macs, 14-day refund. macOS 14 Sonoma or later on Apple silicon. Macs without a notch get a simulated one.
Sources for NotchNook: lo.cafe, NotchNook product page (archived), Homebrew cask, Setapp listing (archived).