AlDente
Menu bar tool to limit maximum charging percentage
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask aldente
AlDente — Official Website
Quick Take: AlDente
AlDente remains the default third-party charge limiter for MacBooks that live on desks. Free covers the basics; Pro's lifetime price is reasonable if you use sailing/top-up monthly. Try native macOS limits first on Tahoe, then upgrade only if you miss AlDente's extras.
Best For
- •Desk-bound MacBook Users
- •People Who Want Lifetime Battery Utilities
- •Setapp Subscribers Who Want One-Click Pro
What is AlDente?
AlDente is a Mac menu bar utility from AppHouseKitchen that limits how high your MacBook charges so lithium batteries that sit on desks at 100% for hours. In August 2026 it is actively maintained, notarized by Apple, and explicitly supports macOS 12 Monterey through macOS 26 Tahoe, including current M-series MacBook Air/Pro hardware. Free AlDente includes the core Charge Limiter and Discharge tools. AlDente Pro unlocks Automatic Discharge, clamshell discharge, Heat Protection, Sailing Mode, MagSafe LED control, Top Up, Calibration Mode, Apple Shortcuts support, customizable menu bar icons/popups, and email support. Vendor pricing shows Pro as an annual subscription at 11.49€ or a lifetime licence at 23.99€, with Setapp access around $9.99/month for AlDente Pro plus the wider Setapp catalog. USD storefronts and reviews often approximate Pro near $13.99/year or about $24.99 lifetime, expect currency differences. Apple has been adding more native charge-limit behavior on recent macOS versions, so some casual users ask whether AlDente is obsolete. For many still-on-desk workflows, Pro's scheduling, sailing mode, heat protection, and automation still go beyond the system toggle. If you only want a simple 80% cap and your macOS build already offers it, try the free system path first; keep AlDente when you need finer control. Status: alive, not discontinued, not acquired. Competitors include built-in macOS charging limits where available, battery monitoring apps, and hardware chargers with limits. AppHouseKitchen documents supported MacBook models explicitly, including recent M-series Air and Pro machines, so check the hardware list if you buy a brand-new silicon revision the same week as an OS update.
The Science of Battery Charge Limiting
Why keeping your MacBook at 80% matters and the electrochemistry behind lithium-ion degradation.
History & Background
Lithium-ion batteries were commercialized by Sony in 1991. The fundamental chemistry hasn't changed much: lithium ions shuttle between a graphite anode and a lithium metal oxide cathode through a liquid electrolyte. At full charge (4.2V per cell), the cathode is under maximum mechanical stress as lithium ions have been almost completely extracted. This stress causes structural degradation over time, cathode particle cracking, electrolyte decomposition, and solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) growth. Keeping the charge below 80% (~4.0V) significantly reduces these degradation mechanisms.
How It Works
AlDente interfaces with macOS's IOKit framework to communicate with the System Management Controller (SMC), which manages battery charging. The SMC controls the charge circuit, it can stop, start, or limit current flow to the battery. AlDente's system extension sends commands to the SMC to halt charging at the configured threshold. Sailing mode tells the SMC to route power directly from the USB-C/MagSafe adapter to the system power rail while keeping the battery disconnected from the charge circuit.
Ecosystem & Integrations
Battery management has become a small but active category on macOS. AlDente is the market leader, but alternatives like Battery Toolkit (open-source), BatFi, and BCLM (command-line) exist. Apple's own Optimized Battery Charging uses on-device machine learning to predict when you'll unplug and delays charging past 80% until just before that predicted time. The combination of Apple's ML-based approach and AlDente's deterministic approach provides comprehensive coverage.
Future Development
AlDente's roadmap includes deeper battery health analytics (capacity fade tracking over time, predicted remaining lifespan), integration with system monitoring tools, and potential iOS/iPadOS support if Apple opens the necessary APIs. Battery health is becoming a mainstream concern as users keep devices longer, expect both Apple and third-party developers to invest more in this space.
Key Features
Charge Limiter
Cap charging at a chosen percentage (commonly 70-80% for desk use) so the pack is not held at 100% while plugged in all day.
Discharge tools
Free includes discharge; Pro adds automatic and clamshell discharge modes so you can drain to a target while staying powered.
Heat Protection and Sailing Mode
Pro features that reduce stress when the machine is hot or when you want conservative charging behavior on the go.
Top Up and Calibration
Pro helpers for temporarily allowing a full charge before travel and for calibration routines when readings drift.
Apple Shortcuts and menu bar UX
Pro integrates with Shortcuts and lets you customize menu bar icons and popups for quick limit changes.
Broad MacBook hardware support
Vendor lists support across modern MacBook Air/Pro silicon generations including recent M-series machines, plus selected desktop Macs for related controls.
Notarized macOS Tahoe support
Officially listed for macOS 12 through 26 Tahoe with Apple notarization, important after each OS upgrade.
Who Should Use AlDente?
1Desk-Bound Developer
A software engineer uses their MacBook Pro connected to a Thunderbolt dock with an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse all day. Without AlDente, the battery sits at 100% for 8-10 hours daily. With AlDente Pro set to 80% and sailing mode enabled, the battery maintains its health over years of desk use. After two years, their battery health reads 94% compared to a colleague's 86% on an identical machine without charge management.
2Creative Professional
A video editor works on heavy Final Cut Pro projects that push the M-series chip hard. The combination of rendering workload and charging generates significant heat. AlDente Pro's heat protection pauses charging during rendering sessions, reducing thermal stress on the battery. The charge limit of 80% provides enough runtime for meeting breaks, and calibration mode runs monthly to keep the battery gauge accurate.
3Frequent Traveler
A consultant uses their MacBook on planes and in client offices. At home, AlDente keeps the charge at 80%. Before travel, they temporarily set the limit to 100% the night before departure for maximum battery life on the road. After returning, the limit goes back to 80%. This flexible approach gives them full charge when needed while preserving battery health during the 70% of time the MacBook sits on a desk.
How to Install AlDente on Mac
AlDente is available via Homebrew or direct download from the developer's website.
Install via Homebrew
Run brew install --cask aldente. This installs the free version. To upgrade to Pro, purchase a license from apphousekitchen.com and enter the key within the app.
Grant Permissions
AlDente requires accessibility permissions to control battery charging. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility and toggle AlDente on. It may also request installation of a helper tool (kernel extension or system extension) to interface with the battery management system.
Set Your Charge Limit
Click the AlDente icon in the menu bar and set your maximum charge percentage. 80% is the recommended default for most users. Adjust based on your daily usage, if you regularly need more than 80% capacity, set it to 85% or 90%.
Configure Launch at Login
Enable 'Launch at Login' in AlDente preferences. The charge limiter only works while AlDente is running. If it's not launched, macOS charges to 100% as normal.
Pro Tips
- • If your battery is already above your set limit when you enable AlDente, use discharge mode (Pro) to bring it down, or simply unplug and use the MacBook until it reaches the target.
- • AlDente works alongside macOS Optimized Battery Charging, you can leave Apple's feature enabled as a fallback.
- • Check battery health periodically: click the AlDente menu bar icon > Battery Info to see current health percentage and cycle count.
Configuration Tips
Choose the Right Charge Limit
80% is the conventional recommendation, but it's not magic. Research suggests keeping lithium-ion batteries between 20-80% minimizes degradation. If you need more runtime, 85-90% still provides significant longevity benefits over 100%. If your MacBook rarely goes below 50%, even a 90% limit helps.
Enable Sailing Mode for Desk Setups
If your MacBook is plugged into a dock 8+ hours daily, enable sailing mode in AlDente Pro. This draws power from the charger directly, keeping the battery idle at your set level. Combined with the charge limit, this is the lowest-stress configuration for a permanently connected MacBook.
Alternatives to AlDente
Battery charge limiting on Mac now includes first-party options plus utilities.
macOS built-in charge limit
Free system feature on supported macOS versions. Enough for a static 80%-style cap; lacks AlDente Pro's sailing/heat/top-up automation.
coconutBattery
Excellent diagnostics for cycle count and health metrics. Complements rather than replaces a charge limiter.
Setapp battery utilities
If you already pay Setapp, AlDente Pro may be included among other tools, evaluate bundle value.
Pricing
AlDente Free: Charge Limiter and Discharge. AlDente Pro: annual licence 11.49€ (cancel anytime, auto-renew) or lifetime 23.99€ per vendor pricing page; also available via Setapp (~$9.99/mo for many apps including AlDente Pro). One licence key activates on up to three macOS user accounts. Student discounts may be available via Student App Centre. No feature subscription for Free beyond optional Pro upgrade.
Pros
- ✓Simple charge capping that can extend battery longevity
- ✓Free tier covers basic limiter + discharge
- ✓Pro automation (sailing, heat, top-up, shortcuts) beyond basic OS toggles
- ✓Supports macOS through Tahoe 26 and current Apple Silicon MacBooks
- ✓Lifetime Pro option avoids endless subscriptions
- ✓Notarized Mac app with clear vendor support path
Cons
- ✗macOS built-in charge limits reduce need for Free on some machines
- ✗Pro price and currency vary (EUR list vs USD reviews)
- ✗Menu bar battery tools can occasionally glitch readings (community reports)
- ✗Does not replace hardware failure or swollen packs
- ✗Another login item to manage on locked-down corporate Macs
Community & Support
AlDente has a GitHub repository where users report bugs and request features. The developer (AppHouseKitchen) is responsive on GitHub issues and has a Discord server for community discussion. The app has been reviewed by major tech publications (The Verge, 9to5Mac, MacStories) and is frequently recommended in battery health discussions on Reddit's r/mac and r/macbookpro communities. Battery management is a topic that generates strong opinions, some users swear by charge limiting, while others argue that Apple's built-in management is sufficient. The evidence supports charge limiting for always-plugged-in use cases.
Video Tutorials
Getting Started with AlDente
More Tutorials
This Mac App Will SAVE Your Battery Life🔋(AlDente)
Steven Lim • 32.9K views
AlDente Pro Review: The Best Way to Extend Your MacBook’s Battery Life!
SaaS Report • 16.6K views
Al Dente Mac App Review // The SECRET To 100% Battery Health On MacBook Pro? ⚡️🔋
SlimothyTV • 73.2K views
Frequently Asked Questions about AlDente
About the Author
Productivity & Workflow Analyst
Expert Tips for AlDente
X users still recommend capping around 70-80% with tools like AlDente for desk MacBooks even as Apple ships more native limiters, habit and automation matter.
If a Pro trial menu bar reading looks stuck, force a refresh or check for updates before panicking about hardware failure. UI glitches get reported occasionally.
Buy lifetime Pro if you know you will keep the Mac two-plus years; annual only makes sense when testing whether native macOS limits already suffice.
Related Technologies & Concepts
Related Topics
Mac System Utilities
Utilities that monitor, manage, and optimize macOS system resources.
Sources & References
Fact-CheckedLast verified: Aug 9, 2026
Key Verified Facts
- AlDente Free includes Charge Limiter and Discharge; Pro adds automation features such as heat protection, sailing mode, and top-up.[cite-1, cite-2]
- AlDente Pro is listed at 11.49€ annually or 23.99€ lifetime on the vendor pricing page, and via Setapp.[cite-1]
- AlDente supports macOS 12 Monterey through macOS 26 Tahoe.[cite-1]
- 1AlDente pricing
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
"Free vs Pro; 11.49€ annual; 23.99€ lifetime; Setapp; macOS 12-26 Tahoe."
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Hardware vs software limiters
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
"Compares AlDente software approach to hardware limiters."
- 6
Research queries: aldente Mac 2026