INTERVAL / PRACTICAL GUIDES

Interval vs MeetingBar: a Mac meeting timer for when a join button isn’t enough

By Cory Parry, maker of Interval · Updated 17 October 2026

Written by Interval’s maker.

Short answer

If you use MeetingBar for one-click joining but prefer a screen-edge countdown with notes beside it, Interval is a Mac option: £15.99 / US$19.99 once for two Macs on macOS 26+. MeetingBar remains free and also counts down during active events; choose the display and workflow you need.

MeetingBar’s free pricing was checked on 17 October 2026 on MeetingBar’s own website. This comparison is for people deciding which meeting companion fits their working day. A join button may be all you need; a visible finish time and notes may matter more if you spend the day moving between calls.

Stay with MeetingBar if you want a free, open-source menu-bar utility, need its wider service support or use a Mac older than macOS 26. Consider Interval if you want a screen-edge view of starts, endings, overlaps and manual notes. Both approaches depend on your calendar being useful and up to date.

What MeetingBar does well

MeetingBar describes itself as fully free and open source, with more than 500,000 installations and support for more than 50 meeting services. Its menu-bar join workflow keeps a meeting link close to the place many Mac users already check for their next event.

The MeetingBar Mac App Store listing requires macOS 12 or later and supports the Calendar app’s providers, including Google, Exchange, Office 365 and iCloud. Optional patronage purchases support development; the app remains free.

That makes MeetingBar a strong fit if the main problem is finding and opening a call link. Its broad service coverage also matters when colleagues invite you through services outside Interval’s five named options. Paying for Interval is a choice about the workflow you prefer, rather than a requirement for one-click joining.

Where Interval is different

Countdown to the end of the call

Interval reads the scheduled meeting end time from Apple Calendar and keeps the remaining time at the screen edge. During a call, you can glance at that personal countdown while keeping the meeting window or your work in front of you. At the end, the wrap-up prompt offers notes, five more minutes or marking the meeting done.

The +5 min control extends only your personal timer. It does not change the calendar invitation, notify other participants or extend the call for everyone. Agree a new finish with the group separately. If the original finish still matters, use it to decide which topics need another discussion.

Overlap warnings beside the meeting

When selected calendar events overlap, Interval shows an orange “Overlaps with…” warning beside the meeting. This puts the conflict near the countdown you are already reading. It is a warning you can act on, not automatic rescheduling: you still decide which meeting to attend and how to resolve the clash.

Notes next to the timer

Manual meeting notes sit beside the timer, with bullets, checklists, search and export. Use them to keep the decision and next action close to the remaining time. For example, when five minutes remain, you can check whether the discussion has produced a decision and capture who will do what next.

A screen-edge panel

Interval uses a panel at the edge of the display rather than adding another menu-bar icon. You can fold it into the compact timer when you need more room. The point is to keep time visible beside your work; it is not a full-screen alarm or a countdown shared with other participants.

Feature table

Who should stay on MeetingBar

Keep MeetingBar if free access or open source is a deciding factor. Keep it if you need Discord, Slack or another service outside Interval’s five named services, or if your Mac runs macOS 12–25. If your existing join workflow already solves the problem, there may be no reason to replace it.

Interval is Mac only and reads calendar events without editing them. It does not create, schedule or reschedule meetings, track time, provide a shared team or room timer, run on Windows or offer direct Google or Outlook sign-in. Those limits matter more than a different panel design if one of them is essential to your work.

Switching in three steps

1. Check Apple Calendar. Confirm the events and supported call links you need are visible there. Start with the Google and Outlook calendar setup guide if you use another provider.
2. Select your calendars in Interval. Give the app calendar access and select the calendars that should drive its meeting view. Follow the Apple Calendar meeting timer guide.
3. Choose your daily view. Quit MeetingBar if you want to use Interval alone, or keep both while deciding which presentation suits you. Interval leaves the calendar invitations unchanged.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a MeetingBar alternative with a one-time price?

Interval’s website lifetime access costs £15.99 once for two Macs. It is a paid alternative to a free app, so choose it for its screen-edge workflow, end countdown, overlaps and notes. There is no website trial; the refund terms are below.

Does Interval support Microsoft Teams like MeetingBar?

Interval opens supported Microsoft Teams links from Apple Calendar events, along with Zoom, Google Meet, Webex and FaceTime links. See how joining calls from your calendar works.

Can I run MeetingBar and Interval together?

You can keep both while comparing their views of your calendar. Neither requires you to move your events into a new calendar. Decide which app you want to use for meeting reminders and joins.

Does Interval work with Google Calendar or Outlook?

Through Apple Calendar on your Mac. Interval has no separate Google or Microsoft sign-in. First make sure the account’s events are available in Apple Calendar, then select the relevant calendars in Interval.

Why does Interval need macOS 26?

macOS 26 is Interval’s current minimum requirement. If your Mac runs an older version, MeetingBar’s macOS 12 minimum gives it wider compatibility. Check your Mac’s version before purchasing.

Next: keep meetings on time, or explore the meeting app comparison hub.