Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and answers about OtterStat.
General
How much does OtterStat cost?
OtterStat offers two plans (one-time payment):
- Personal - 49 PLN for 1 device
- Pro - 79 PLN for 3 devices
Both plans include a 7-day free trial and lifetime updates. The Mac App Store version will be 79 PLN.
Does OtterStat collect any data?
No. OtterStat runs entirely on your Mac and does not collect or send any data. It only reads local system metrics.
Why doesn't OtterStat show in the Dock?
OtterStat is a menu bar app, designed to run in the background without taking up Dock space. This is intentional.
Does OtterStat impact performance?
OtterStat is designed to be lightweight. With the default 2-second refresh interval, CPU usage is minimal (typically less than 1%).
Compatibility
What macOS versions are supported?
OtterStat requires macOS 14.6 (Sonoma) or later.
Does it work on Intel Macs?
Yes! OtterStat supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. However, per-core P/E breakdown is only available on Apple Silicon.
Will there be an iOS version?
There are no current plans for an iOS version.
Features
Can I see CPU temperature?
Yes! Since version 0.6.2, OtterStat displays real-time CPU temperature in the CPU popover via SMC/IOKit sensors. On Apple Silicon Macs, you can optionally install a privileged helper daemon for more accurate readings. OtterStat also shows a thermal level indicator (Normal/Warm/Hot/Critical).
Can I set alerts for high CPU/memory usage?
Yes! Threshold alerts were added in version 0.4.0. Go to Settings → Monitoring to configure thresholds for CPU, Memory, and Disk. A 5-minute cooldown prevents notification spam.
Can I see historical data and charts?
Yes! Since version 0.7.0, OtterStat stores metrics history in a local SQLite database. Every popover has time range selectors: 1h / 24h / 7d / 30d / All.
Can I export the data?
Data export is planned for a future release. Check the roadmap for planned features.
Troubleshooting
The app won't open
See the installation guide for instructions on opening apps from outside the App Store.
Menu bar icons are missing
Check Settings → Menu Bar to make sure the metrics you want are enabled for display.
Network speeds seem wrong
Make sure you're using the correct unit. The Auto option automatically switches between KB/s↔MB/s or Kbps↔Mbps based on current speed.
CPU temperature is not showing
On Apple Silicon Macs, accurate temperature readings require the optional privileged helper. You'll see a prompt to install it the first time you open the CPU popover. You can also install it from Settings → Monitoring.
Contact
How can I report a bug or request a feature?
Please open an issue on our GitHub repository.