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7 Best Mac Activity Monitor Alternatives in 2026
Keeping a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air running smoothly often requires more insight than macOS’s built-in tools provide. While Activity Monitor shows basic system data, many users want clearer visuals with real-time alerts and menu bar stats, and even cleanup tools.
That’s why more people are searching for a reliable Mac Activity Monitor alternative that delivers better monitoring, control, and performance optimization in 2025.
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Part 1. What is Mac Activity Monitor, and Why Seek Alternatives?
Before choosing an alternative, it helps to understand what Activity Monitor does and where it falls short.
1. What Is Activity Monitor on Mac?
Activity Monitor is macOS’s built-in system monitoring utility. It allows users to view real-time information about CPU usage, memory consumption, disk activity, network traffic, and running processes. For basic troubleshooting, such as force-quitting frozen apps, it works well and requires no additional software.
However, Activity Monitor is designed for technical transparency rather than usability. It shows raw data without interpretation, recommendations, or performance optimization features.
2. Why Look for a Mac Activity Monitor Alternative?
Many users eventually outgrow Activity Monitor due to several limitations:
- No menu bar monitoring for quick at-a-glance stats
- No one-click Mac cleanup or CPU/RAM release
- Overwhelming technical process lists for non-advanced users
- No temperature, fan speed, or battery health monitoring
- No startup app management or system optimization tools
These gaps explain why a more advanced Mac Activity Monitor alternative is often the better long-term solution.
Part 2. Quick Comparison Table: Which Is the Best Alternative to Mac Activity Monitor
Let's have a quick overview of the best alternatives to Mac Activity Monitor:
Please swipe to view
Tool
Free
Menu Bar
Apple Silicon
Cleanup Tools
CPU
Network
Disk I/O
Temp
Fan Control
Stats
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
iStat Menus
Paid
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Tenorshare Cleamio
Paid
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
TG Pro
Paid
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Sensei
Paid
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Macs Fan Control
Free
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
eul
Free
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
Part 3. The 7 Best Mac Activity Monitor Alternatives in 2025
If you are looking for the best Mac activity monitor alternative options for your computer, here are the top 7 options you can try:
1. Stats – Best Free Menu Bar Monitor
Stats is a popular open-source utility that displays essential system metrics directly in the macOS menu bar. It focuses on simplicity and transparency, making it ideal for users who want lightweight, real-time monitoring without clutter or advanced configuration.
Best for: Casual users who want basic system stats
Rating: 4.4/5
Key Features:
- It offers CPU, GPU, memory, and battery stats
- Menu bar widgets are also available
- You will get apple Silicon optimized
- It gives you open-source and free
Pros
- Completely free
- Minimal system impact
- Clean interface
Cons
- No cleanup or optimization tools
- Limited customization
2. iStat Menus – Most Comprehensive Monitoring Suite
iStat Menus is a professional-grade monitoring tool offering deep insights into nearly every Mac hardware component. It’s widely used by power users, developers, and IT professionals who need granular data and customizable alerts.
Best for: Advanced users and professionals
Rating: 4.6/5
Key Features:
- CPU, RAM, disk, network tracking
- Temperature and sensor monitoring
- Custom alerts and widgets
- Menu bar integration
Pros
- Extremely detailed metrics
- Highly customizable
- Reliable performance
Cons
- Paid software
- No cleanup or optimization tools
3. Tenorshare Cleamio – Best Monitoring with One-Click Cleanup
Tenorshare Cleamio goes beyond monitoring by combining system status tracking with one-click performance optimization. Unlike traditional Activity Monitor alternatives, Cleamio not only shows CPU and memory usage but also actively helps you free resources instantly.
Best for: Users who want monitoring and performance improvement
Rating: 4.8/5
Key Features:
- Real-time CPU and memory monitoring
- Mac Status Center dashboard
- One-click force quit for memory-hog apps
- RAM cleanup and [system junk removal](javascript:;)
- Apple-notarized and safe
- Additional features: junk, duplicate, large file cleanup
Pros
- Combines monitoring + cleanup
- Extremely beginner-friendly
- Prevents memory-related slowdowns
- With menu bar widget
Cons
- · Not focused on sensor data
4. TG Pro – Top Temperature and Fan Control Expert
TG Pro is a specialized utility focused on thermal management. It provides accurate temperature readings and manual fan control to prevent overheating, especially useful for Intel-based Macs and heavy workloads.
Best for: Thermal control and overheating prevention
Rating: 4.5/5
Key Features:
- CPU/GPU temperature tracking
- Fan speed control
- Overheat alerts
- Hardware sensor monitoring
Pros
- Excellent thermal accuracy
- Prevents overheating damage
Cons
- No cleanup tools
- Limited general monitoring
5. Sensei – All-in-One System Optimizer
Sensei offers a balance between monitoring and optimization, presenting system health insights in a modern interface. It includes storage analysis and limited cleanup tools alongside performance monitoring.
Best for: Intermediate users
Rating: 4.3/5
Key Features:
- CPU and disk health monitoring
- Storage analysis
- SSD performance tools
- System optimization features
Pros
- Modern UI
- Good storage insights
Cons
- Paid only
- Less intuitive for beginners
6. Macs Fan Control – Temperature & Cooling Manager
Macs Fan Control is a focused utility designed to let users manually control Mac fan speeds. It’s lightweight, effective, and widely used to manage heat during heavy workloads.
Best for: Fan and temperature control
Rating: 4.4/5
Key Features:
- Manual and automatic fan control
- Temperature monitoring
- Free version available
Pros
- Free and reliable
- Simple fan management
Cons
- No CPU/RAM cleanup
- Minimal system stats
7. eul – Best Lightweight and Minimalist Menu Bar Monitor
eul is a minimalist, open-source system monitor that lives entirely in the menu bar. It focuses on speed, simplicity, and transparency without unnecessary extras.
Best for: Minimalist users
Rating: 4.2/5
Key Features:
- CPU, memory, and network stats
- Menu bar display
- Lightweight and free
Pros
- Minimal system load
- Clean UI
Cons
- No optimization tools
- Basic functionality
Part 4. How to Monitor Mac Status & Boost Its Performance Easily
If your goal is not just to observe performance but to improve it, Tenorshare Cleamio offers the most streamlined solution.
-
Open Cleamio Mac Status Center by clicking its menu bar icon and check the status of your Mac performance (CPU, Memory, Trash, Disk space usage analysis, startup items, network speed, etc.).
-
Similarly, you can monitor Trash, Disk Usage, and Memory with its clean interface and remove/uninstall any unwanted app/file from your Mac to boost its performance.
2. Take CPU and Memory for example: Monitor your RAM and CPU usage and click the "Remove" button against processes to remove them and boost your Mac's performance.
This approach removes the need to interpret raw Activity Monitor data or manually close apps one by one.
FAQ about Mac Activity Monitor
Q1: What is the best Mac Activity Monitor alternative for iPhone?
iOS doesn’t support system-level monitoring like macOS, but apps like iStat can remotely display Mac stats.
Q2: How to stop Activity Monitor on Mac?
Simply quit the Activity Monitor app; it doesn’t affect system processes.
Q3: How to find malware on Mac Activity Monitor?
Look for unfamiliar processes with high CPU usage, but dedicated security tools are more reliable.
Q4: How to manage Activity Monitor on Mac?
Use sorting and filters, though third-party tools provide better usability.
Q5: What is swap used for in Activity Monitor?
Swap indicates disk space used as virtual memory when RAM is insufficient.
Q6: How to check Activity Monitor?
Open Activity Monitor using Spotlight or in Applications, then check performance stats.
Conclusion
While macOS Activity Monitor provides basic insights, it lacks usability and performance optimization features. A modern Mac Activity Monitor alternative can offer clearer visuals, real-time alerts, and even system cleanup.
Among all options in 2026, Tenorshare Cleamio stands out by combining monitoring with one-click performance boosting. Hence, making it the most practical choice for everyday Mac users who want speed, simplicity, and stability.
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Create your review for Tenorshare articles
By Jenefey Aaron
2026-01-07 / Mac Optimization