KakuchiThe short version
Kakuchi's notch shelf holds any of its widgets, and the same widgets can also live on the desktop, the menu bar and the lock screen. Kakuchi has no file shelf.
If a drop zone for files is what you want from the notch, NotchNook does that and Kakuchi doesn't.
NotchNook is a notch panel for the Mac with a file shelf and widgets.
Side by side
| Feature | Kakuchi | NotchNook |
|---|---|---|
| Notch | A shelf of your widgets, plus Now Playing | Panel with media, file shelf and widgets |
| File shelf | No | Yes |
| Desktop widgets | Yes, 50+ | No |
| Menu bar and lock screen widgets | Yes | Not stated |
| Make your own | Describe it and AI builds it, with your own key or a local model | No |
| Price | $14.99 one-time at launch (regular $24) | US$25 lifetime or US$3 a month |
| Runs on | macOS 14 or later, Apple Silicon and Intel | macOS 14.6 or later |
Checked October 2026 from NotchNook on AlternativeTo. “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 NotchNook.
Choose NotchNook if
- You want a file shelf in the notch.
- You only want the notch.
Choose Kakuchi if
- You want widgets on the desktop, menu bar and lock screen too.
- You want any widget in the notch, including ones you build.
- You'd rather pay $14.99 once.
Questions
- Can Kakuchi replace NotchNook?
- For widgets and Now Playing in the notch, yes. Kakuchi has no file shelf, so if you drop files on the notch, keep NotchNook.