Skip to content
Get packs

Guide · Open source

How to use Stats: install and read the macOS menu bar monitor

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Stats is a free, open-source macOS app that lives in your menu bar and shows live readings for your Mac's processor, graphics, memory, disk, network, battery and temperatures. This guide is for Mac users who want a quick view of system load without opening Activity Monitor. By the end you will know how to install Stats, which modules to turn on, and how to fix the most common problems.

Statsexelban/stats · ★ 43k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Confirm macOS 12 or newer. Check that your Mac runs macOS 12 (Monterey) or a later stable release.
  2. 2Install Stats. Run brew install stats in Terminal, or download Stats.dmg and move the app to Applications.
  3. 3Open Stats. Launch the app and look for its icons in the menu bar.
  4. 4Allow menu bar display if needed. On macOS 26 and newer, open System Settings → Menu Bar and toggle Stats on if icons are missing.
  5. 5Choose your modules. Enable the readings you need in Stats settings and disable Sensors or Bluetooth if you want lower overhead.
  6. 6Adjust Wi-Fi name access. If the Wi-Fi network name shows Unknown, allow Stats under Location Services.

Check that your Mac can run Stats

Stats supports macOS 12 (Monterey) and newer. Beta versions of macOS are not supported, only stable releases.

Installing with Homebrew also requires Homebrew. The manual DMG download does not.

Install Stats on macOS

The simplest route is Homebrew. Open the Terminal app and run the command below.

If you prefer not to use Homebrew, download the latest Stats.dmg from the project's releases link, open it and move the app to your Applications folder.

brew install stats

Read the menu bar and choose modules

Stats shows one icon per module in the menu bar. Clicking an icon opens a popup with more detail. Each module can be turned on or off in the Stats settings.

Available modules include CPU utilization, GPU utilization, memory usage, disk utilization, network usage, battery level, sensor information (temperature, voltage and power), Bluetooth devices and a multiple time zone clock. Fan control is listed as not maintained.

  • CPU and memory: spot processes or load that make the Mac feel slow.
  • Sensors: check temperatures when the Mac runs hot.
  • Network: see current traffic at a glance.
  • Battery: keep an eye on charge level.

Reduce Stats' own resource use

Reading data periodically is not free, and each module has its own cost. The project says the most resource-heavy modules are Sensors and Bluetooth. Disabling them can reduce CPU usage and power use by up to 50% in some cases.

If you only need a few readings, leave the other modules off.

Run Stats headless over SSH (optional)

The README describes an optional headless install that sets up Stats as a remote monitoring agent. The script installs the app, enables the Remote module and prints a URL with an authorization code. Open that URL on any device and sign in to your System Stats account to authorize the machine.

The Mac needs an active user session to run the app. A locked screen is fine. On a fully headless machine, Stats starts at the next login.

curl -fsSL https://cdn.mac-stats.com/install.sh | bash

Uninstall Stats

The app bundles an uninstall script. Removing the SMC helper requires administrator privileges.

sh /Applications/Stats.app/Contents/Resources/Scripts/uninstall.sh

What people use it for

  • See whether CPU or memory load explains a slow Mac without opening Activity Monitor.
  • Watch temperature sensors while a heavy task runs.
  • Keep network traffic and battery level visible in the menu bar.
  • Monitor a Mac remotely over SSH using the optional headless agent.

Frequently asked questions

Is Stats free?

Stats is open source under the MIT license, so you can read, fork and build your own version of the app. The source does not list any price.

Does Stats work on Windows or Linux?

No. Stats supports macOS 12 (Monterey) and newer only.

How do I change the order of menu bar icons?

Hold down the command key, drag the icon to the position you want, then release the command key. macOS decides the order, and it may change after the first reboot following installation.

Why don't Stats icons appear in the menu bar?

On macOS 26, Apps must be allowed under System Settings → Menu Bar. Open that page and toggle Stats on.

Why does my Wi-Fi network show as Unknown?

macOS needs Location Services permission to read the Wi-Fi name. Enable Stats under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services, then quit and reopen Stats.

Can I control fan speed with Stats?

Fan control is in legacy mode and receives no updates or fixes, so it is not a reliable option for new use.

New agent skills, repos and AI tools — every week

The best new skills and open-source projects, the fastest-growing repos, and one free prompt. Five minutes to read. Unsubscribe anytime.

Our verdict

Stats suits Mac users who want a glanceable menu bar view of CPU, memory, network, battery or temperatures, and anyone who wants a free MIT-licensed monitor they can read or change. Skip it if you need fan control, run Windows or Linux, or object to its update checks and public IP lookups. Because one person maintains the project, unsolicited pull requests are generally not accepted, so report bugs and open issues instead.

Install options & downloads