Why move beyond a basic hider
A basic menu bar hider is perfect when your only goal is to place a divider and hide the icons on one side of it. The tradeoff appears later: a notched MacBook runs out of practical space, some status items need to stay visible, and some background utilities should stay hidden unless there is a problem.
Tuck keeps the simple starting point. Push Mode hides the icons to the left of Tuck, and a second click or the global shortcut brings them back. The difference is that you can stop there, or add more structure when the menu bar becomes part of your daily workflow.
Use Tuck when the menu bar needs decisions
Simple mode first
Use Tuck Free like a lightweight hider: arrange icons, click once, reveal when needed.
Notch workflow
On supported MacBooks, Shelf Mode can show tucked icons below the menu bar instead of squeezing them around the notch.
Persistent rules
Keep noisy utilities hidden, pin critical status items visible, and let everything else follow the main toggle.
Less pointer work
Hover reveal and auto-hide reduce the number of clicks for icons you check repeatedly.
A practical migration path
- Install Tuck and grant Accessibility when macOS asks.
- Move the icons you usually hide to the left of Tuck.
- Use Push Mode for a full workday before changing any Pro settings.
- If a specific icon keeps interrupting you, set a per-icon rule instead of changing the whole setup.
- If the notch is the issue, try Shelf Mode before rearranging every status item again.
When a basic hider is still enough
Do not switch just for the word "alternative." If your menu bar is already calm, you never use a notched display, and you do not need a shortcut or per-icon behavior, a very small single-purpose hider may already be the right tool. Tuck is better when the menu bar needs a repeatable system rather than a one-time cleanup.
Privacy and expected network access
Tuck has no analytics and no telemetry. The app can contact Tuck servers for license validation and Sparkle update checks, but it does not send usage events about which icons you hide or when you reveal them.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tuck a good Vanilla alternative for Mac?
Yes, if you want to keep the simple hide-and-reveal workflow but add deeper control for a crowded or notched MacBook menu bar. Tuck starts with free Push Mode and adds optional Pro controls such as Shelf Mode, auto-hide, hover reveal, and per-icon rules.
What if I only need simple menu bar hiding?
Start with Tuck Free. Push Mode, the global shortcut, and launch at login are included without a time limit, so you can use it as a simple menu bar hider before deciding whether Pro controls matter.
How do I move from a simple hider to Tuck?
Install Tuck, place the icons you want hidden to the left of the Tuck item, test Push Mode for a day, then turn on Shelf Mode or per-icon rules only for the icons that need special behavior.
When should I not switch?
If you only need a single divider with no shortcut, no notch workflow, no hover reveal, and no per-icon decisions, a basic hider may already be enough.
Does Tuck collect analytics or telemetry?
No. Tuck has no analytics or telemetry. Expected network access is limited to license validation and Sparkle update checks.