KakuchiThe short version
The difference is reach. BetterMacWidgets focuses on the desktop and the lock screen. Kakuchi also puts widgets in the notch and the menu bar, keeps them on top of full-screen apps, and lets you describe a new widget and have AI build it.
BetterMacWidgets has more themes and draws each widget size by hand, and it has a free tier. If you only want a beautiful desktop and you're on macOS 15 with Apple Silicon, it's a strong choice.
BetterMacWidgets is a polished desktop widget app with Liquid Glass styling, a large set of themes and widget stacks. Its own headline: “Your desktop, alive.”
Side by side
| Feature | Kakuchi | BetterMacWidgets |
|---|---|---|
| Where widgets go | Desktop, notch, menu bar, lock screen | Desktop and lock screen |
| Built-in widgets | 50+ | 40 listed on its site, 8 free |
| Make your own | Describe it and AI builds it, with your own key or a local model | Custom widgets from JSON files (paid bundle) |
| Themes | 10 | 20 |
| Keep on top of full-screen apps | Yes | Not stated |
| Free version | No (14-day refund) | Yes, 8 widgets |
| Price | $14.99 one-time at launch (regular $24) | EUR 12.99 Pro, EUR 19.99 bundle |
| Runs on | macOS 14 or later, Apple Silicon and Intel | macOS 15 or later, Apple Silicon |
| Also sold through | Direct download | Its site and Setapp |
Checked October 2026 from bettermacwidgets.de, BetterMacWidgets on Setapp. “Not stated” means we couldn’t find it on their pages, not that it’s missing. Products change, so check before you decide. Kakuchi isn’t affiliated with BetterMacWidgets.
Choose BetterMacWidgets if
- You want a free tier to start with.
- You care most about themes and hand-drawn widget sizes.
- You already pay for Setapp.
Choose Kakuchi if
- You want widgets in the notch or menu bar, or on top of full-screen apps, not only on the desktop.
- You want a widget nobody has made yet: describe it and Kakuchi builds it.
- You're on macOS 14 or an Intel Mac.
- You already have classic JSX desktop widgets; Kakuchi runs them.
Questions
- Is Kakuchi a BetterMacWidgets alternative?
- Yes. Both put live widgets on the Mac desktop and lock screen. Kakuchi adds the notch, the menu bar, keep on top and an AI widget builder; BetterMacWidgets has more themes and a free tier.
- Which is cheaper?
- BetterMacWidgets' full bundle is EUR 19.99 and it has a free tier. Kakuchi is $14.99 one-time at launch with no free tier, and a 14-day refund.