How to view CPU, RAM, Disk, and Network usage in the menu bar on macOS

A desktop system has several important vitals that you should keep an eye on. These are normally the CPU and the RAM usage though network usage and disk usage are often grouped with them. There is no shortage of tools that allow users to monitor how much CPU and RAM is being utilized on a system but these are often heavy tools that perform other optimization tasks, or they present a poor UI layout when it comes to displaying these stats.

View CPU, RAM, Disk, Network Usage

The most convenient place to monitor system stats from is the menu bar. Naturally, you need a menu bar app that can display these stats. We recommend using a free, open-source app called Stats.

1. Download Stats from Github.
2. Install the app i.e., move it to the Applications folder, and launch it.
3. Once launched, the app will start showing CPU,  RAM, Disk, and Network usage in the menu bar.

Customize stats

By default, all the stats are displayed as white text over a black menu bar. White on black is readable but it’s hard to distinguish one state from the other. You can customize the color for each stat and make it easier to identify which is which.

1. Access Stats’ settings.
2. Visit the tab for each type of stat you want to view.
3. Open the Color dropdown, and select a color to display the stat in.

Disable stats

If you want to disable a stat that you think is irrelevant, you can do so by turning its switch off.

1. Open Stats’ settings.
2. Visit the tab for the stat you want to turn off.
3. At the top right, there will be a switch. Turn it off and the stat will be removed from the menu bar.

Change stat type

Stats can display CPU, RAM, Disk, and Network usage as numerical values, as line charts, and as bar graphs. You have the option to choose one of these views.

1. Open Stats’ settings.
2. Select the tab for the item you want to change the stat type for.
3. The first settings bar will show small icons for the different stat types that are available. Select one, and it will be updated on the menu bar.

Conclusion

A simple system monitoring tool like Stats is an excellent way to keep an eye on your system. There are no menus to fiddle with, the information is easy to view, and there are customization options. If you’re looking for something similar on Windows 10, check out Xmeters.

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Fatima Wahab

Fatima has been writing for AddictiveTips for six years. She began as a junior writer and has been working as the Editor in Chief since 2014. Fatima gets an adrenaline rush from figuring out how technology works, and how to manipulate it. A well-designed app, something that solves a common everyday problem and looks

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