Comparison
SpaceJump vs Spaceman
Both show which Space you're on. SpaceJump does more. Spaceman is free.
Our Verdict
Spaceman is a solid free option if you just need a basic indicator
Spaceman shows dots or 3-letter codes in the menu bar so you know which Space you're on. It's free and open source. SpaceJump adds full names, colors, a quick switcher, keyboard navigation, time tracking, and custom Space names inside Mission Control. If you just need to see which desktop you're on, Spaceman works. If you want to name, switch, and track, SpaceJump is the more complete tool.
SpaceJump is best for:
- Full Space names (not limited to 3 characters)
- Names shown in Mission Control
- Quick Switcher to jump to any Space by name
- Per-Space time tracking with CSV export
- Color-coded Spaces with icons
Spaceman is best for:
- Completely free and open source
- Very lightweight
- Simple setup, minimal configuration
- No account or trial needed
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SpaceJump | Spaceman |
|---|---|---|
| Shows current Space in menu bar | ||
| Names in Mission Control | ||
| Custom Space names | Full names | 3-char codes |
| Quick Switcher (type to jump) | ||
| Clickable to switch Spaces | ||
| Per-Space colors | ||
| Time tracking per Space | ||
| Jump back to previous Space | ||
| Works on Apple Silicon | ||
| Open source | ||
| Price | Free trial / $9.99 | Free |
Frequently Asked Questions
Spaceman's GitHub repo has had limited updates recently. It works on current macOS versions but development appears slow. SpaceJump is actively maintained and updated for each macOS release.
No. Spaceman is limited to 3-character labels (like 'WRK' or 'DEV'). SpaceJump supports full names like 'Acme Corp' or 'Client Project'.
If you just want to see which desktop number you're on and don't need naming or switching features, Spaceman is a good free option. If you want full names, quick switching, and time tracking, SpaceJump is worth the $9.99.