Atoll Mac App: Is It Free, and Will It Run on Your Mac? (2026)
You found Atoll, a Dynamic Island app for macOS, and need to know two things: does it cost anything, and will it run on your Mac?
Short answer: Atoll is free and open source (GPL v3), but it needs a MacBook with a notch, specifically the 14 or 16 inch Pro, per its README. It won’t suit a MacBook Air, Mac mini, iMac or an external display. Install it from the DMG on GitHub. If your Mac isn’t on that list, you want a different app.
Is Atoll Free?
Yes. No trial, no subscription, no one-time price. The developer takes optional support through GitHub Sponsors and Buy Me a Coffee. The project has around 4,800 stars on GitHub.
Which Macs Does It Work On?
The README lists:
- macOS 14.0 or later, optimized for macOS 15 and up.
- A MacBook with a notch, which it says means the 14 and 16 inch models across Apple silicon generations.
So the answer is no for a Mac mini, Mac Studio, iMac or any Mac with an external display only. And the README names Pro models, so check before you assume the notched MacBook Air works. Read the README for your model before you install.
How to Install It
- Open the releases page on GitHub and get the latest DMG.
- Open it and drag Atoll into Applications.
- Launch it and approve the permissions it asks for.
The README gives no Homebrew command, so the DMG is the route. Atoll asks for access it needs for features, like Accessibility, Camera, Calendar, Screen Recording and Music. Grant what you’ll use. Our Atoll alternative post covers reported signing issues in the project’s tracker, which is worth a read before you install.
What You Get
More than most free apps: media controls for Apple Music and Spotify, calendar previews, lock screen widgets, a clipboard manager, a color picker, live CPU and memory stats and a terminal tab. It’s built on the Boring Notch codebase.
Put Your Notch To Work
That black bar already takes up space. Give it music, timers, and voice typing.
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What It Doesn’t Do
It has no voice typing and no focus timer with sessions, and it only runs on the notched Macs above.
If Atoll Doesn’t Fit Your Mac
- Free, wider hardware: Boring Notch, macOS 14 or later, free and open source.
- Any Mac, with voice and focus: Seam is ours, so weigh this. It’s $29 once, signed and notarized, and it draws a floating island on Macs with no notch. The trial is 48 hours with no credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Atoll free?
Yes. It’s free and open source under GPL v3.
Does Atoll work on a MacBook Air?
Its README asks for a 14 or 16 inch notched MacBook, so it doesn’t list the Air. Check the project page for your model.
How do I install Atoll?
Download the DMG from its GitHub releases page, drag it into Applications, then approve the permissions.
Is there a Homebrew command for Atoll?
Its README doesn’t give one. Use the DMG.
What’s an Atoll alternative for any Mac?
Boring Notch for free, or Seam at $29 once, which also runs on Macs with no notch.
Related Reading
Put Your Notch To Work
That black bar already takes up space. Give it music, timers, and voice typing.
Download for free