MeetingBar Alternative for Mac: Final Call Compared
MeetingBar is a popular free, open-source menu bar app that shows your next meeting and lets you join it with one click. It’s a good app. If you’re looking for an alternative, this page shows where Final Call works differently and where MeetingBar is the better choice.
For transparency: this comparison is written by the makers of Final Call.
In short
MeetingBar is the better fit if you want a free, open-source tool, use many different meeting services (it supports more than 50) or want to connect Google Calendar directly.
Final Call is the better fit if the full-screen reminder is the heart of it for you: a large countdown, a camera and microphone check before you join, snooze options, automatic music pause and your next meeting in the MacBook notch.
Comparison
| Feature | Final Call | MeetingBar |
|---|---|---|
| Next meeting in the menu bar | Yes, countdown, optionally with the meeting name | Yes |
| Full-screen reminder | Yes, with live countdown; turns red and shakes at the start time | Yes, as an option besides standard notifications |
| Camera and microphone check in the reminder | Yes, optional | Not mentioned |
| Snooze | +3 min, +5 min or until the start | Not mentioned |
| Notch display | Yes (since 1.5) | Not mentioned |
| Music pause on join | Apple Music and Spotify | Not mentioned |
| Meeting services | 18 | More than 50 |
| Calendars | macOS Calendar (iCloud, Google, Exchange via Internet Accounts) | macOS Calendar, or Google Calendar directly |
| Create ad-hoc meetings | No | Yes |
| System requirement | macOS 13 or later | macOS 12 or later |
| Price | 14 days free, then 9.99 USD once or 1.49 USD per month | Free, open source (Apache 2.0), optional donations |
Where Final Call is different
The reminder is the product. Final Call is built around the moment before a meeting: a full-screen reminder with a large countdown that stays until you join, snooze or dismiss it. Before you join, you see your camera image and microphone level, so the first minute of the call isn’t a tech check.
Calm in between. During a running video meeting you can hold back new reminders until it ends. A progress bar shows how much of the current meeting is left.
The notch. On a MacBook, Final Call can show your next meeting in the notch and open your day on hover.
Where MeetingBar is the better choice
MeetingBar is free and open source, supports far more meeting services, can connect Google Calendar directly and create ad-hoc meetings. If those points matter most to you, MeetingBar is the better choice. If you want the strongest possible reminder and a camera check before every call, try Final Call for 14 days.
Frequently asked questions
Is MeetingBar free?
Yes. MeetingBar is free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license, with optional donations.
Does MeetingBar have full-screen reminders?
Yes, according to its GitHub page MeetingBar can show full-screen reminders in addition to standard notifications.
What does Final Call do that MeetingBar doesn’t?
According to MeetingBar’s public description: a camera and microphone check inside the reminder, snooze options, automatic music pause and a notch display.
Can I switch from MeetingBar to Final Call easily?
Yes. Both read the macOS Calendar, so your meetings show up immediately. No account is needed.
Try Final Call free
Download Final Call from the Mac App Store and use every feature free for 14 days, no credit card required. After that, buy it once for 9.99 USD (launch price) or subscribe for 1.49 USD per month. Prices may differ by region.
