AudiBar

Introduction to AudiBar

AudiBar is a lightweight audio player and internet radio streamer designed exclusively for macOS. It operates directly from the menu bar, providing immediate access to local audio files and live streams without opening additional windows. The application emphasizes minimalism and efficiency, avoiding library imports, metadata management, or cloud synchronization. By focusing solely on playback functionality, AudiBar delivers a streamlined experience ideal for users who need quick access to audio without system overhead.

Targeted at professionals such as DJs, audio engineers, and content creators, AudiBar supports rapid previewing of tracks, verification of audio edits, and background listening. Its native integration with macOS ensures compatibility across Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, requiring macOS 13.5 (Ventura) or later. With under 50MB memory usage and negligible CPU consumption when idle, it maintains system performance while remaining always accessible.

Key Takeaways

• Plays local audio files and streams internet radio directly from the menu bar
• No library import or metadata management required
• Supports MP3, FLAC, WAV, AAC, M4A, ALAC, AIFF, CAF, and MP4 formats
• Compatible with M3U, PLS, and XSPF streaming playlist formats
• Under 50MB memory usage and less than 3–4% CPU during playback
• Works offline; internet required only for license verification and streaming
• Premium upgrade adds playlist queuing, shuffle, auto-play, and radio streaming

How AudiBar Works

AudiBar functions through direct interaction with audio files and stream URLs via drag-and-drop or file selection. Users can load a single audio file by dragging it onto the menu bar icon or using the built-in file picker. For continuous playback, Premium users can build playlists by adding individual files or entire folders, which are stored locally and persist across sessions. Playback controls including play, pause, next, previous, and seek are accessible through the menu bar interface and context menus.

Internet radio functionality allows Premium users to add stations using M3U or PLS URLs. Once added, stations appear in the Streams panel for quick switching. The app parses playlist formats automatically to locate playable sources and displays live track metadata when available. All data—including playlists and station lists—is stored locally using macOS security-scoped bookmarks, ensuring privacy and persistent access even after file relocation or iCloud download delays.

Core Benefits and Applications

AudiBar excels in scenarios where simplicity and speed are essential. Audio professionals use it to quickly audition tracks, verify file integrity, or review recorded takes without launching full-featured digital audio workstations. Its ability to handle iCloud Drive files gracefully—displaying loading states during background downloads—ensures reliable access to cloud-stored media.

The separation between Basic and Premium versions allows users to start with core playback features at no cost and upgrade only if advanced capabilities like multi-track playlists or radio streaming are needed. As a one-time purchase with lifetime access, the Premium version includes all future updates. The following table outlines the feature availability:

All user data remains on-device, with no transmission to external servers, ensuring complete privacy. Keyboard shortcuts are not currently supported but are under consideration for future development based on user feedback.