Battery monitor apps for Mac compared
Updated 15 November 2026
Each tool answers a different question: what is using energy now, how worn is the battery, how do I limit charging, or why did today's charge go faster than usual. Pick by the question you have.
We make Drainspot, so read this with that in mind. We've described the other apps by what they're built for; check their sites for current features and prices.
Activity Monitor (built into macOS)
Free and already on your Mac. Its Energy tab ranks apps by Energy Impact now and over the last 12 hours. Best for: “which app is heavy right now?” It keeps no history across days. How to read it.
coconutBattery
A long-standing app for battery health: capacity compared with design, cycle count, age and temperature, and it can read iPhone and iPad batteries too. Best for: “how worn is my battery?”
AlDente
A charge limiter: it keeps the battery at a level you choose while plugged in, with more control than macOS's own setting. Best for: “my Mac lives on the charger, how do I limit the charge?”
iStat Menus
A full system monitor in the menu bar: CPU, memory, network, sensors and battery. Best for: “I want every number about my Mac at a glance.”
Drainspot
Records the battery every minute and explains the drain in plain words: which apps cost the charge today, what happened overnight in sleep, the charger and heat, and battery health over time, compared with what's normal for your Mac. Best for: “why did my battery go faster than usual, and is that normal?” Free, with Pro coming.
Quick guide
- Which app is heavy right now → Activity Monitor.
- How worn is the battery → System Settings › Battery, or coconutBattery.
- Limit charging → macOS's charge settings, or AlDente.
- Everything in the menu bar → iStat Menus.
- Why the battery drained, over days and nights → Drainspot.
Quick answers
What is the best battery monitor app for Mac?
It depends on the question: Activity Monitor for what's heavy now, coconutBattery for battery wear, AlDente for limiting the charge, iStat Menus for every system number, and Drainspot for why the battery drained over days and nights.
Is there a free battery monitor for MacBook?
Yes. Activity Monitor and System Settings › Battery are built in, and Drainspot is free to download, with an optional Pro version coming.
Do I need an app to check MacBook battery health?
No. System Settings › Battery shows the condition and maximum capacity, and System Information shows the cycle count. An app helps if you want the trend over time.