⚡ Is your Mac freezing, getting hot, or eating up all its memory for no reason?
Check out the free tool used by thousands of Mac users to monitor their computer's performance in real time – simple, lightweight, and incredibly useful!
Have you ever been working on something important and suddenly your Mac starts to lag? Or hear the fan running at full speed without you doing anything heavy? Don't worry—you're not alone. Modern Macs are powerful, but when something goes wrong, you need a way to see what's going on "behind the scenes."
Especially with the new Apple Silicon chips (M1, M2, M3), resource management is smarter but also more complex. That's why the Stats has become an indispensable tool: it shows you in a simple way what's eating up memory, which program is straining the processor, and how your system is behaving.
What is Stats and Why Do You Need It?
Stats is a free, open-source app that acts as a “health check” for your Mac. It shows you all the vital system information: processor, memory, temperatures, disk, battery, and more – all in real time.
Why do more than 35.000 users trust it?
Stats has amassed over 35.000 stars on GitHub, making it one of the most popular monitoring tools for Mac. And for good reason – it’s fast, reliable, and completely free.
What Makes Stats So Special?
Let's see in simple words what makes it stand out:
- It lives in the menu bar: No need to open windows. All information is always available at the top of the screen.
- Real time: You see exactly what's happening as it happens. If an application is hogging memory, you'll see it right away.
- Completely free: No subscriptions, no limitations, no ads.
- Extremely lightweight: It doesn't burden the system – ideal for older Macs.
- Compatible with all modern Macs: Works flawlessly on Intel and Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) with macOS 10.15 and later.
What Can You Track with Stats?
This is where the real magic begins! Stats shows you everything that's happening on your Mac in a simple and clear way, so you always know what's taking up space and why.
1. Processor (CPU) Usage
You can see in real time how much your processor is "working". If an application is using too much (e.g. 90%), you immediately know what is responsible for your Mac's slowness or overheating.
2. RAM memory
RAM is like your workspace: the busier it is, the harder it is to work. Stats shows you how much memory is being used and by which applications, so you can easily identify what's eating up your resources.
3. Storage Space
The message "Your disk is full" will never catch you off guard again. With Stats you can see how much space is left, as well as the speed at which data is being written to or read from the disk.
4. Network
Monitor how much data is being uploaded and downloaded from the internet. Perfect for seeing why Netflix is crashing or if an app is using too much network for no reason.
5. Temperature and Fan
If your Mac is getting hot or you hear the fan screaming, Stats shows you exactly how hot your components are and how fast the fan is spinning. So you can catch problems before they become serious.
Interesting fact: Macs with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3) have different temperature sensors than Intel Macs. Stats automatically recognizes your model and displays the correct readings!
How to Install Stats (Easy and Fast)
Installation is a breeze and won't take you more than 2 minutes. You have two options, depending on how comfortable you are with your Mac:
Method 1: Direct Download (For Beginners)
- Go to the GitHub page: Open the browser and go to github.com/exelban/stats.
- Download the application: Click "Releases" and download the .dmg file (latest version: 2.11.66 – February 2026).
- Open the file: Double-click the .dmg you downloaded.
- Move to Applications folder: Drag the Stats icon to the Applications folder.
- Open Stats: If a security message appears, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and allow the execution.
Method 2: With Homebrew (For Advanced Users)
- Open Terminal: You will find it in the Utilities folder or through Spotlight.
- Run the command:
brew install --cask stats - Wait a few seconds: Homebrew will automatically download and install the application.
- Ready! Open Stats from the Applications folder.
Note for macOS 15.3.1: Some users reported that after updating to macOS 15.3.1, a security message appears when they open Stats. This is normal, as macOS protects third-party apps. The solution is simple: go to System Preferences → Privacy & Security and allow it to run. The app remains completely safe!
How to Customize Stats as You Want
One of the biggest advantages of Stats is that you can customize it to your exact needs. You don't have to see information you're not interested in – you make it your own.
- Choose what you want to see: You can enable or disable sections such as CPU, RAM, network, temperatures, etc.
- Change the position in the menu bar: Hold down Command (⌘) and drag the icon to where you want it.
- Choose the display method: Graphs, percentages, numbers or small bars. Stats gives you many display options.
- Set up notifications: You can set limits for CPU, RAM or temperature and be notified when they are exceeded.
Battery saving tip: If you want to increase battery life, disable the Sensors and Bluetooth sections. They are the most "heavy" and disabling them can reduce consumption by up to 50%.
5 Practical Examples of Using Stats
1. Identifying Programs That "Eat" Memory
Open the RAM section and see which app is using the most memory. If something is consuming too many resources, you can close it before it affects performance.
2. Check Before Opening Heavy Programs
Before you open Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, or a game, take a look at your memory and CPU. If they're already loaded, close some applications to avoid lag.
3. Temperature Monitoring in Summer
On hot days, Macs heat up more easily. With Stats, you can see the temperature in real time and take a break or move your Mac to a cooler spot.
4. Internet Speed Check
If your internet seems slow, Stats shows you the actual data transfer speed. This way you know if the problem is with your connection or an application.
5. Detecting Suspicious Activity
If you suddenly see high CPU or network usage without doing anything, there may be an app running in the background for no reason. Stats helps you identify it immediately.
Stats vs Other Apps - Comparison
| Feature | Stats | iStat Menus | Activity Monitor (built-in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | ~ € 12 | Free |
| Menu Bar | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Real-Time Information | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Open Source | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | Partly |
| Easy to use | ✓ Very | Average | Average |
| Apple Silicon Support | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Tips for Optimizing Mac Performance
Now that you have Stats and can see what's happening on your system in real time, let's look at some simple ways to keep your Mac fast, cool, and efficient.
When Memory Is Full:
- Close applications you're not using – especially heavy ones like Photoshop or Chrome.
- Reduce the number of open tabs in the browser (Chrome is a "champion" in RAM consumption).
- Restart once a week to "refresh" the memory.
When the Processor Overworks:
- See from Stats which application is consuming CPU and close it if you don't need it.
- Disable apps that are running in the background for no reason.
- Update your apps – old versions often have performance issues.
When the Disk is Full:
- Delete old files, screenshots, and downloads that you don't need.
- Empty the recycle bin (many people forget this!).
- Move photos and videos to an external drive or cloud.
- Use macOS's "Storage Management" tool for automatic cleaning.
Secret trick: If your Mac is getting too hot and the fan is running at full blast, it may have dust buildup. A cleaning (either by yourself or at a service center) can lower the temperature by up to 10°C!
Stats FAQ
Is Stats safe?
Yes! It's open source, which means the code is public and reviewed by thousands of developers. It doesn't collect personal data and doesn't contain ads.
Will it slow down my Mac?
Not at all. Stats is extremely lightweight and uses very few resources. In fact, it helps your Mac run better, not worse.
Does it work with my new MacBook M3?
Yes! It fully supports all Macs with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3) as well as older Intel ones.
Can I use it in Greek too?
The app supports multiple languages. Even though there is no full Greek translation, the interface is so simple that you won't have any trouble at all.
Conclusion: Why You Should Download Stats Today
Stats is like having a personal "engineer" who shows you what's happening on your Mac at all times. It's:
- Completely free – no subscriptions or limitations
- Extremely easy to use, even for beginners
- Ideal for identifying problems before they become serious
- Useful for professionals, students and everyday users
- Constantly updated with new features
If you want to have complete control over your Mac, understand why it sometimes crashes, and keep it in top condition, Stats is an application that's really worth it.
Ready to try it? get in the github.com/exelban/stats, download the app and within minutes you will have a complete picture of your Mac's health.
Your Mac works for you every day – now you can give it the care it deserves!
