Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Emcee

Emcee shows in the menu what’s playing in iTunes or Spotify

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Emcee launched in 2017; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Emcee▲63

   See what's playing on iTunes or Spotify in you Mac menubar

   2015 · ilyabirman.net · its alternatives →

2. 2
   MiniPlay for Spotify and iTunes▲136

   What's currently playing in your favorite music app

   2016 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Background Music▲218

   Control the audio on your Mac apps from the menu bar

   2016 · github.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Spotify Notifications▲146

   Bridging Spotify and OS X Notification Center

   2015 · its alternatives →

5. 5
   SpotMenu▲259

   Spotify and iTunes in your macOS menu bar

   2017 · kmikiy.github.io · its alternatives →

6. 6
   Soundbar▲213

   A lightweight SoundCloud player for Mac

   2016 · its alternatives →

7. 7
   DockPlayer▲66

   Minimal Spotify controller for Mac

   2014 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Spotify Fresh Finds▲156

   Like Hype Machine, but inside Spotify

   2016 · open.spotify.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Simplify for Mac▲220

   The simplest way to control Spotify, Music, iTunes and Vox

   2015 · mmth.us · its alternatives →

10. 10
    PortAura▲69

    See what’s listening on your Mac

    Sep 2026 · portaura.pages.dev · its alternatives →

11. 11
    Heartbeat▲246

    Listen to music with your friends together, on Spotify

    2017 · getheartbeat.io · its alternatives →

12. 12
    TrayPlay▲93

    Control Spotify and iTunes from your menu bar

    2016 · github.com · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Skip Tunes▲115

    Control iTunes, Spotify, or Rdio from your Mac's menubar

    2015 · skiptunes.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Listen▲94

    Add songs to any Spotify playlist using your keyboard

    2017 · listenmac.com · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Shazam for Mac▲151

    Listens and identifies music in the background

    2014 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Discover on Demand▲91

    Just like Spotify's Discover Weekly, but whenever you want.

    2016 · discoverondemand.com · its alternatives →

17. 17
    See your current Spotify song in the menu bar▲55

    SoundSeer is a macOS app that shows your current song & controls in the menu bar. - jonathangarelick/SoundSeer

    2024 · github.com · its alternatives →

18. 18
    SoundMate▲107

    Enjoy SoundCloud from your Mac's menu bar

    2015 · icyarrow.com · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Songstack▲171

    Swipe to discover new music for Spotify

    2017 · about.songstack.co · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Sleeve 2▲292

    A fast, modern SSH client for iOS and iPadOS, built for the new era of terminal tools and AI coding agents.

    2022 · replay.software · its alternatives →

21. 21
    JQBX▲109

    turntable.fm for spotify

    2017 · jqbx.fm · its alternatives →

22. 22
    djay Pro (for Mac)▲145

    More music. More decks. (w/ Spotify integration)

    2014 · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Covers▲224

    Re-discover your favorite songs again

    2017 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

24. 24
    The New Rap Caviar▲145

    One of Spotify's most popular playlists becomes a show.

    2017 · open.spotify.com · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →