Softset Pulse vs iStat Menus
Last verified · Written by Softset, the makers of Softset Pulse
In short
iStat Menus is a mature, highly detailed menu bar monitor with sensors, fan control, weather, and extensive customisation. Softset Pulse focuses on the question “what is slowing my Mac down?” by grouping apps, explaining the numbers, and finding forgotten dev servers.
Softset Pulse is in development; this page compares the planned first version.
Who each is for
Choose Softset Pulse if…
- You want answers and app-level totals more than a wall of sensors.
- You're a developer who wants ports, dev servers, and idle processes in one place.
Choose iStat Menus if…
- You want detailed sensor readings, fan control, weather, or world clocks in your menu bar.
- You want deep visual customisation of every menu bar item.
Side by side
| Feature | Softset Pulse | iStat Menus |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase model | One-time purchase; pricing announced at launch. | One-time purchase (single and family licenses). source |
| Price | Announced at launch. | See bjango.com for current prices. source |
| Free trial | Planned. | 14 days. source |
| macOS | macOS 14 or later. | macOS 11 or later. source |
| Temperatures and fans | Thermal pressure, and battery temperature where reported. | Sensor readings and fan control on supported Macs. source |
| Per-app usage | Helpers grouped under their app. | Process lists for CPU, memory, and disk. source |
| Explanations | “Why is my Mac slow?” in plain words. | Notifications you configure. source |
| Developer tools | Open ports, dev servers, idle detection. | Not a focus. source |
| Weather and clocks | No. | Yes. source |
Differences
Sensors
iStat Menus reads detailed temperature and fan sensors. Softset Pulse only shows what macOS exposes publicly (thermal pressure, and battery temperature where the Mac reports it), so it won't break when macOS changes its private interfaces.
Purpose
iStat Menus is built for keeping many readings visible all the time. Pulse is built for finding out what's wrong when your Mac slows down.
Looking for a iStat Menus alternative?
If you’re searching for “mac cpu monitor” or “istat menus alternative”, the table above covers what changes when you switch. Softset Pulse’s own page has the full details, including its privacy and permissions trust card.
Softset Pulse
A system monitor that groups every helper process under the app it belongs to, explains what's slowing your Mac down, and finds forgotten development servers.
In development. Early access builds go to people on the list first.