Compare

SpaceNamer next to the alternatives.

Three tools name Mac desktops, and macOS names none of them. Here is what each one actually does, so you can pick the cheapest thing that solves your problem — even if that is not this one.

	SpaceNamer	Spaceman	WhichSpace	macOS alone
Full-length names	Yes	Up to 3 characters	Numbers only	No
Emoji per desktop	Yes	No	No	No
Name shown in the menu bar	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Switch desktop by clicking a name	Yes	No	No	Swipe or Mission Control
Separate list per display	Yes	No	Mirrors one item across displays	—
Needs the Accessibility permission	No	Varies by version	Varies by version	—
Needs System Integrity Protection disabled	No	No	No	—
Signed and notarized by Apple	Yes	Check the project	Check the project	—
Price	$6.99 once, 3 Macs	Free, open source	Free, open source	Included

When you should not buy SpaceNamer

Two or three desktops

If you can hold your layout in your head, macOS on its own is fine. This tool earns its keep at around five desktops.

A three-letter label is enough

If EML and DEV tell you everything you need, Spaceman is free and does that well. Take the free one.

You never switch from the menu bar

If keyboard shortcuts already take you everywhere, you are paying mostly for the label.

What you are paying for

Real names, not abbreviations. “Harbor & Pine” instead of H&P, with an emoji in front of it.
One-click switching that uses no permissions. Clicking a name hands focus to a window on that desktop and macOS does its own switch. Nothing fakes keystrokes, so nothing needs Accessibility.
Per-display lists. Two monitors means two sets of desktops, listed separately with a checkmark on each.
Maintenance. Each new macOS release is tested the week it ships, and the result is published on the compatibility page.

About the free tools. Spaceman and WhichSpace are open-source projects maintained by other people, and they can change at any time. The notes above describe them as of the date in the table — check the projects themselves before deciding.

Stop guessing which desktop you’re on.

One purchase, three Macs, no permissions, 30 days to change your mind.

Buy for $6.99 Download for Apple silicon