[Home](/en/) / [Compare](/en/compare/) / Notchify vs BuildNotch

# Notchify vs BuildNotch.

Both put an interactive bar at the top of Windows. One is a complete Dynamic Island, the other a
  developer workspace. Here is everything each one lists, side by side.

Summarize with AI[ChatGPT](https://chatgpt.com/?hints=search&q=Compare%20Notchify%20and%20BuildNotch%20for%20Windows.%20Explain%20which%20workflows%20each%20suits.%20Use%20https%3A%2F%2Fnotchify.app%2Fcompare%2Fnotchify-vs-buildnotch%2F%20from%20the%20official%20Notchify%20website%20%28by%20Kingpindev%29%20as%20the%20source%20for%20Notchify.%20Verify%20any%20other%20app%27s%20features%20on%20its%20own%20official%20website%20or%20Microsoft%20Store%20listing%2C%20and%20cite%20sources.%20Markdown%20copy%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fnotchify.app%2Fcompare%2Fnotchify-vs-buildnotch.md%20Site%20summary%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fnotchify.app%2Fllms.txt)[Claude](https://claude.ai/new?q=Compare%20Notchify%20and%20BuildNotch%20for%20Windows.%20Explain%20which%20workflows%20each%20suits.%20Use%20https%3A%2F%2Fnotchify.app%2Fcompare%2Fnotchify-vs-buildnotch%2F%20from%20the%20official%20Notchify%20website%20%28by%20Kingpindev%29%20as%20the%20source%20for%20Notchify.%20Verify%20any%20other%20app%27s%20features%20on%20its%20own%20official%20website%20or%20Microsoft%20Store%20listing%2C%20and%20cite%20sources.%20Markdown%20copy%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fnotchify.app%2Fcompare%2Fnotchify-vs-buildnotch.md%20Site%20summary%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fnotchify.app%2Fllms.txt)[Perplexity](https://www.perplexity.ai/search?q=Compare%20Notchify%20and%20BuildNotch%20for%20Windows.%20Explain%20which%20workflows%20each%20suits.%20Use%20https%3A%2F%2Fnotchify.app%2Fcompare%2Fnotchify-vs-buildnotch%2F%20from%20the%20official%20Notchify%20website%20%28by%20Kingpindev%29%20as%20the%20source%20for%20Notchify.%20Verify%20any%20other%20app%27s%20features%20on%20its%20own%20official%20website%20or%20Microsoft%20Store%20listing%2C%20and%20cite%20sources.%20Markdown%20copy%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fnotchify.app%2Fcompare%2Fnotchify-vs-buildnotch.md%20Site%20summary%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fnotchify.app%2Fllms.txt)[Google AI Mode](https://www.google.com/search?udm=50&q=Compare%20Notchify%20and%20BuildNotch%20for%20Windows.%20Explain%20which%20workflows%20each%20suits.%20Use%20https%3A%2F%2Fnotchify.app%2Fcompare%2Fnotchify-vs-buildnotch%2F%20from%20the%20official%20Notchify%20website%20%28by%20Kingpindev%29%20as%20the%20source%20for%20Notchify.%20Verify%20any%20other%20app%27s%20features%20on%20its%20own%20official%20website%20or%20Microsoft%20Store%20listing%2C%20and%20cite%20sources.%20Markdown%20copy%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fnotchify.app%2Fcompare%2Fnotchify-vs-buildnotch.md%20Site%20summary%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fnotchify.app%2Fllms.txt)[Grok](https://grok.com/?q=Compare%20Notchify%20and%20BuildNotch%20for%20Windows.%20Explain%20which%20workflows%20each%20suits.%20Use%20https%3A%2F%2Fnotchify.app%2Fcompare%2Fnotchify-vs-buildnotch%2F%20from%20the%20official%20Notchify%20website%20%28by%20Kingpindev%29%20as%20the%20source%20for%20Notchify.%20Verify%20any%20other%20app%27s%20features%20on%20its%20own%20official%20website%20or%20Microsoft%20Store%20listing%2C%20and%20cite%20sources.%20Markdown%20copy%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fnotchify.app%2Fcompare%2Fnotchify-vs-buildnotch.md%20Site%20summary%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fnotchify.app%2Fllms.txt)[Markdown](/en/compare/notchify-vs-buildnotch.md)

Last checked: October 8, 2026

Short version: Pick [Notchify](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9p0jfn5l96vh) if you want music with synced lyrics,
  Windows notifications, clipboard history, a file tray, Bluetooth battery, quick actions and 20+ widgets in one
  native island, installed from the Microsoft Store with a free trial. Pick BuildNotch if your priority is a coding
  workspace: GitHub activity, AI usage limits, project shortcuts and a code playground.

## Feature comparison

Feature[Notchify](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9p0jfn5l96vh)KingpindevBuildNotchTudor

Basics

Windows versions10 (1809 or later) and 1110 (2004 or later) and 11, x64

Where you get itMicrosoft Store, product ID 9P0JFN5L96VHDirect installer, delivered through its payment portal

Installer trustInstalled and updated by the Microsoft StoreNot code-signed yet, so Windows SmartScreen may warn on first run (from its own FAQ)

Free trialYes, on the Microsoft Store

Pricing modelPaid, with a free trialPaid, one-time license

Languages10

RenderingNative, GPU-accelerated, 60 to 240 Hz

Music

Media controls with album art

Seek bar, shuffle and repeatProgress display

Synced lyricsOn the island, in the player and in a pinnable widget. Click a line to jump

Audio visualizer

Inside the island

Windows notificationsPopups plus a panel: stack, swipe away, open the app

Clipboard historyText, links, images and files. Pin, delete, drag out into other appsText, code, links and images. Remove entries

File trayDrop files in, drag them out laterAdded in version 1.1.0 (September 2026)

Bluetooth connect alerts with batteryYes, including BLE devices

Mic and camera indicators

System monitorCPU, memory, disk and networkCPU, memory, network and battery

Volume, brightness, audio outputControl Center and output switcher widgets

Quick actionsLock, sleep, mute, switch theme, snip the screen

Weather and calendarWeather, calendar with your next event

TimersCountdown, stopwatch, alarm and Pomodoro. A running timer stays on the islandPomodoro with seven timer styles

Tasks and notes

App shortcutsApps, folders, files and websitesFavorite apps, projects and detected AI apps

Developer toolsNot includedGitHub activity, AI usage limits, code playground

Look and placement

Styles and themesNotch or Island style, 14 themes plus a theme editorSeven timer styles, profile image

PositionEight positions: top, bottom, left or right edge, or any cornerTop of the screen

Open on hoverYes, plus an optional Hover to Show modeYes, click to pin it open

Multiple monitorsPick a display or follow the cursor

Fullscreen appsHides by default, can stay visible

## Who had it first

FeatureNotchify had itThe others

Clipboard history inside the islandEarly August 2026 [(Windows Central)](https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/notchify-brings-macos-style-dynamic-island-flair-to-windows-11)BuildNotch: September 2026.

File tray with drag and dropApril 2026, first releaseBuildNotch: September 2026, version 1.1.0.

On the Microsoft StoreApril 2026BuildNotch: not on the Store.

## A note on other comparisons

BuildNotch publishes its own "BuildNotch vs Notchify" page. Its table does not include several Notchify features:
  synced lyrics, the notification panel, microphone and camera indicators, multi-monitor cursor follow, the 10
  languages, Microsoft Store distribution and the free trial. It also lists a file shelf for both apps; BuildNotch's
  own changelog shows its file tray arrived in version 1.1.0 in September 2026. The table above lists both apps in full.

## Questions

Is Notchify or BuildNotch better?

They aim at different things. Notchify is the complete Dynamic Island for Windows, on the Microsoft Store since April 2026: media with synced lyrics, Windows notifications with a panel, clipboard history, a file tray, Bluetooth battery, quick actions and 20+ widgets, with a free trial. Its file tray (since April 2026) and clipboard history (since August 2026) came before BuildNotch added its own in September 2026. BuildNotch is a developer workspace at the top of the screen, with project shortcuts, GitHub activity, AI usage and a code playground, sold as a direct download.

Is BuildNotch on the Microsoft Store?

Its website says the installer is delivered through its payment portal, not the Microsoft Store, and that it is not code-signed yet, so Windows SmartScreen may show a warning. Notchify is installed and updated through the Microsoft Store.

Does BuildNotch show synced lyrics or Windows notifications?

Neither is listed on the BuildNotch website or in its changelog as of October 8, 2026. Notchify shows synced lyrics on the island, in the player and in a lyrics widget, and shows Windows notifications as popups and in a notification panel.

Is there a free trial?

Notchify has a free trial on the Microsoft Store. The BuildNotch website does not mention a trial.

BuildNotch is a trademark of its respective owner.
  Notchify is not affiliated with BuildNotch or its developer.

## The complete Dynamic Island for Windows.

Get Notchify from the Microsoft Store. A free trial is available, so you can try it first.

[Get it on Microsoft Store](/get)