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Tracked since 2026

What is Fide Island?

Fide Island transforms the MacBook notch into a functional Dynamic Island, providing quick access to media controls, calendar events, Apple Notes, a temporary file shelf, clipboard history, calculator, currency conversion, and on-device translation. The app is designed to be local-first, meaning user data stays on the device by default, with optional permissions for specific features like Calendar access or Apple Notes integration. It offers two layout modes, Minimal and Expanded, allowing users to choose between a compact island or a full side-by-side workspace. Targeted at macOS users who want to maximize the utility of their MacBook's notch, Fide Island emphasizes privacy by not requesting camera, microphone, or screen recording permissions. The app requires a recent version of macOS, with on-device translation available on a newer version of macOS. It operates on a freemium model with a free trial, followed by a subscription, managed through Paddle.

Pricing Plans

Free Trial

Pricing checked Oct 20, 2026. Source: fideisland.it.com/pricing, read Oct 20, 2026

Fide Island plans and prices, checked October 2026
Plan Price Details
Early Access

$1 / month

  • Media controls
  • Calendar
  • File shelf
+7 more
  • Local clipboard history
  • Fluid system feedback
  • Calculator
  • Currency conversion
  • Apple Notes
  • On-device translation on macOS 15+
  • Optional Gemini access with your own key

Is Fide Island worth the price?

Great value

At $1 per month, Fide Island is aggressively priced, essentially a token fee for a polished utility that replaces several paid apps.

It is far cheaper than most Mac utilities and even undercuts subscription fatigue, making it a no-brainer for early adopters. Best for MacBook users who want a lightweight, integrated notch experience without breaking the bank.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Gemini access requires your own API key, which may incur usage costs beyond the $1 monthly fee

On-device translation only works on macOS 15+, so older macOS users miss this feature

No free tier, so you must pay $1 after the 3-day trial ends

Optional Gemini access is not included in the $1 price; you pay separately for API usage

No annual billing option, so you pay $1 every month indefinitely

Full Fide Island pricing: every plan, hidden costs and alternatives

How Fide Island's pricing compares

At $1/mo, billed monthly, Fide Island is the most affordable of its 4 comparable direct competitors.

Fide Island
$1
$8

Not ranked, different unit or currency: Capacities $9.99/mo flat, whole organisation, billed monthly; AFFiNE $6.75/mo, billed yearly.

Entry paid plan, monthly price, billed monthly. Pricing checked Oct 20, 2026.

Email me when Fide Island changes its price

One email per change, found on the vendor's own pricing page. Unsubscribe any time.

Fide Island by the numbers

Toolradar data: Fide Island's entry paid plan ($1/mo, billed monthly) ranks #1 of 39 (joint) for price among the Translation tools with a verified entry price and no stated unit, where the median is $15/mo. As of Nov 2026.

Fide Island compared with 119 Translation tools on Toolradar, as of Nov 2026
Metric Fide Island Peer median Position (1 is best)
Entry paid plan $1/mo, billed monthly $15/mo #1 of 39 (joint) tools with no stated price unit, verified price
Free plan No 55% have one n/a
Compare-page visits, last 30 days 20 visits 34 #31 of 33 (joint) tools with 20+ compare-page visits

Each position is counted among the tools that have data for that row, as noted under it. A lower entry price ranks higher; prices are read on vendor pages and compared only with tools priced on the same basis. All Translation data · How we compute this. Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position. Visit counts include visits from every source.

Cite this: Toolradar, “Fide Island by the numbers”, Nov 2026.

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Best Fide Island Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

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Fide Island FAQ

How does Fide Island help with note-taking and clipboard management?

Fide Island provides quick access to Apple Notes and a clipboard history directly from the MacBook notch. Users can also use a temporary file shelf to store files without cluttering the desktop. This makes it easy to capture and retrieve information without switching apps.

How does Fide Island compare to Raycast?

Unlike Raycast, which is a general-purpose launcher and productivity tool, Fide Island is specifically designed to turn the MacBook notch into a Dynamic Island workspace. It focuses on local-first privacy and offers features like media controls, calendar events, and on-device translation from the notch. Raycast requires a separate window or menu bar, while Fide Island leverages the notch area.

What kind of macOS version does Fide Island require?

Fide Island requires a recent version of macOS, and its on-device translation feature is available only on a newer version of macOS. Additionally, after a free trial, the app requires a subscription to continue using it, as there is no permanently free tier.

Which teams or users benefit most from Fide Island?

Fide Island is best suited for macOS users who want to maximize the utility of their MacBook's notch and prefer a local-first, privacy-focused tool. It is ideal for individuals who frequently need quick access to media controls, calendar events, notes, clipboard history, and translation without leaving their current workflow.

How is Fide Island priced?

Fide Island operates on a freemium model with a free trial, after which a subscription is required to continue using the app. The subscription is managed through Paddle, and there is no permanently free tier.

Can Fide Island perform currency conversion and calculations from the notch?

Yes, Fide Island includes a calculator and currency conversion feature accessible directly from the Dynamic Island. Users can perform quick calculations or convert currencies without opening a separate app.

Does Fide Island require camera or microphone permissions?

No, Fide Island does not request camera, microphone, or screen recording permissions. It is designed to be local-first, with user data staying on the device by default, and only optional permissions for specific features like Calendar access or Apple Notes integration.

How does Fide Island's layout mode affect the workspace?

Fide Island offers two layout modes: Minimal and Expanded. Minimal mode provides a compact island, while Expanded mode offers a full side-by-side workspace, allowing users to choose how much of the notch area they want to utilize for their tools.

How does Fide Island pricing compare with other Translation tools?

Fide Island's entry paid plan ($1/mo, billed monthly) ranks #1 of 39 (joint) for price among the Translation tools with a verified entry price and no stated unit, where the median is $15/mo. Prices are read on each vendor's own pricing page and compared only with tools priced on the same basis. Source: Toolradar, Nov 2026.

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