Monocle

Monocle is a macOS focus utility that keeps the active window clear while blurring or dimming the rest of the desktop. It reduces visual clutter without closing, minimizing, or rearranging your open windows, making it useful when several apps need to remain within reach.

Keep the right windows visible

• App Groups: Keep related apps, such as an editor and a reference window, in focus together.
• App-wide focus: Leave all windows belonging to the active app clear rather than just one.
• Ignored apps: Exclude selected applications from the blur effect.
• Multiple displays: Choose whether focus applies per screen or across all screens.
• Stage Manager: Keep its window strip visible, or include it in the overlay.

Customize and control the overlay

Monocle offers adjustable blur strength, color tint, grain, and monochrome effects. Blur can also be disabled for a simpler dimmed appearance. Its Ambient and Deep modes offer different focus styles, while optional controls can auto-hide the menu bar and Dock.

Toggle the effect by shaking the pointer, use a modifier with the shake gesture for a temporary peek, or assign keyboard shortcuts. Apple Shortcuts, AppleScript, and shell-based workflows can also control Monocle through its automation features.

Compatibility, privacy, and pricing

Monocle requires macOS 14.6 or later and is available for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. It can be installed through Homebrew using brew install --cask monocle-app.

There is a 7-day free trial, followed by a one-time purchase starting at $14 for one Mac or $25 for up to three Macs, with updates included. The developer states that the app collects no analytics; it contacts Gumroad for license checks and the developer's website for updates.