Keep a Window Always on Top on Mac (Even in Fullscreen)

As of July 2026 — macOS still does not include a built-in always-on-top toggle for standard app windows. I re-tested the methods below on macOS 15 Sequoia and macOS 26 Tahoe while updating this guide.

Quick answer

As of July 2026, macOS still does not include a built-in "always on top" toggle for normal app windows. If you only need lightweight pinning, tools like Rectangle Pro or BetterTouchTool can help in desktop-only workflows. If you need a note that stays visible above fullscreen apps, you need a window that runs at a higher macOS window level.

I’m LeoMbm, the developer of Noticky, and I built it specifically for that workflow after running into the same limitation while switching between fullscreen coding, docs, and meetings on macOS.

This guide is the shortest path from "pin a window" to "keep a note visible everywhere."

Need to keep a note, screenshot, or full window visible? Find the right Mac tool for that workflow with the Mac Setup Finder.

Choose the right always-on-top method by what you need visible

The best answer depends on what you are trying to keep on screen. A browser window, a Zoom window, and a small note are not the same job.

If your goal is a note or checklist, do not start with a general window manager. Start with a note overlay. It is smaller, easier to position, and less distracting than keeping an entire app window above everything.

How to keep Chrome, Safari, Zoom, or Terminal on top

Searches for always-on-top on Mac often mention a specific app. The answer changes slightly by app, but the fullscreen limit is the same.

Keep Chrome on top on Mac

Chrome does not include a native "always on top" setting on macOS. If you need a Chrome window above other desktop windows, use Hammerspoon, BetterTouchTool, Rectangle Pro, or a floating browser tool like Helium.

The limitation: once you enter a fullscreen Space, most pinned Chrome windows disappear. If you only need text from the page, copy the reference into a Noticky note instead. The note is lighter than Chrome and can stay visible over fullscreen apps.

Keep Safari on top on Mac

Safari has no built-in always-on-top mode either. The same desktop pinning tools work, but they are still desktop-first. For a single web reference, a floating browser utility can be cleaner. For a checklist, quote, URL, or short reference, a Noticky note is usually the better fit.

Keep Zoom on top on Mac

Zoom can keep some meeting controls and video views visible, but that does not solve every "keep this visible" workflow. If you need the call visible, start with Zoom's own window settings. If you need talking points, agenda items, or follow-up questions visible during the call, use a floating note instead.

That is the difference between keeping Zoom on top and keeping meeting information on top.

Keep Terminal on top on Mac

Terminal is a common pinning target for developers. Hammerspoon or BetterTouchTool can keep a Terminal window above normal desktop windows. But if the thing you need is just a command, token, error message, or TODO list, copy it into a floating note. You get the reference without keeping a full shell window in your way.

Why people search for "keep a window on top" in the first place

Most people are not searching for a floating window because they love window management. They are trying to stop breaking focus just to re-open the same note, checklist, chat, or screenshot again and again.

That is the hidden cost of always-on-top on Mac: every time a reference disappears behind your active app, you have to recover it with a Cmd+Tab, a Space swipe, or a click through a stack of windows. The interaction is small, but the interruption is real.

Why this is still a problem on macOS

• Apple documents window levels and collection behaviors for developers, but it does not expose a native user-facing always-on-top control for standard app windows.
• NSWindow.Level can lift a window above normal desktop windows, but fullscreen is still a separate Space.
• canJoinAllSpaces and fullScreenAuxiliary are the pieces that matter when a window needs to appear over fullscreen content.
• Most "pin window" tools stop at floating desktop windows, which is enough for normal work but not for fullscreen apps.

Apple's AppKit headers describe NSWindowCollectionBehaviorFullScreenAuxiliary as windows that "can be shown with the fullscreen window," which is the key behavior ordinary pinning tools usually miss.

Sources:

• Apple Developer Documentation: NSWindow.Level
• Apple Developer Documentation: NSWindow.CollectionBehavior.canJoinAllSpaces
• Apple Developer Documentation: NSWindow.CollectionBehavior.fullScreenAuxiliary
• Gloria Mark on the 23-minute interruption cost

The University of California, Irvine task interruption study reports that it takes an average of 23 minutes to refocus after an interruption. That is why "visible in fullscreen" matters, not just "stays on top of desktop windows."

macOS organizes windows using a window level system. Every window gets a numeric level that determines its stacking order:

Standard app windows live at level 0. When you click a window, macOS brings it to the front within that level, but it stays at level 0. There is no System Settings toggle that changes that for users.

To keep a window on top, an app needs to set its window level to floating or higher. That works on the regular desktop. The boundary is fullscreen: when you enter fullscreen mode, macOS creates a separate Space, and most pinning tools stop there.

If your use case is not a full interactive window but just reference material, there is often a lazier answer than pinning the whole app: keep a lightweight note or image overlay on top instead. That is usually faster, cleaner, and easier to live with all day.

Method 1: Hammerspoon (free, scriptable)

Hammerspoon is a free, open-source macOS automation tool that exposes system APIs through Lua scripting. It can set any window's level to floating with a single function call.

Step-by-step setup

1. Download Hammerspoon from hammerspoon.org and move it to /Applications
2. Launch it and grant Accessibility permissions when prompted (System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility)
3. Open your config file: click the Hammerspoon menu bar icon > Open Config, or edit ~/.hammerspoon/init.lua directly
4. Add this hotkey binding:

hs.hotkey.bind({"cmd", "ctrl"}, "t", function()
  local win = hs.window.focusedWindow()
  if win then
    if win:level() == 0 then
      win:setLevel(3) -- floating
      hs.alert.show("Pinned: " .. win:title())
    else
      win:setLevel(0) -- normal
      hs.alert.show("Unpinned: " .. win:title())
    end
  end
end)

1. Reload config: click the Hammerspoon menu bar icon > Reload Config
2. Test it: focus any window and press Cmd+Ctrl+T. The window stays above others. Press again to unpin

Limitations

• Does not work in fullscreen. The pinned window stays in its original Space and vanishes when you enter fullscreen
• Requires Accessibility permissions (a one-time grant)
• No visual indicator of which windows are pinned (unless you add one via scripting)
• If the target app relaunches, the pin is lost

Hammerspoon is the best free option if you are comfortable with a config file and don't need fullscreen support.

Method 2: BetterTouchTool ($22)

BetterTouchTool (BTT) is a Swiss-army-knife automation tool for macOS. Among its hundreds of features, it includes a built-in "Pin Window to Top" action.

Step-by-step setup

1. Download BTT from folivora.ai (45-day free trial, then $22 one-time or $10 for 2 years)
2. Open BTT preferences and go to the Keyboard Shortcuts section
3. Add a new shortcut: click the + button
4. Set the trigger: press your desired hotkey (e.g., Cmd+Ctrl+T)
5. Set the action: search for "Pin/Unpin Focused Window to Float on Top" in the action list and select it
6. Done. Press your hotkey on any focused window to toggle pinning

Why choose BTT

BTT is worth considering if you already use it for trackpad gestures, window snapping, clipboard management, or other automation. The always-on-top toggle is just one feature in a much larger toolkit. You don't need a separate tool.

Limitations

• Same fullscreen limitation as Hammerspoon: pinned windows disappear in fullscreen Spaces
• BTT is a large app with many features you may not need. If you only want window pinning, it is overkill
• $22 is steep for a single feature, though the 45-day trial gives you time to evaluate

Method 3: Rectangle Pro ($10)

Rectangle Pro is a window management app focused on snapping, layouts, and organization. It includes an always-on-top toggle as a secondary feature.

Step-by-step setup

1. Download Rectangle Pro from rectangleapp.com/pro ($10 one-time)
2. Launch it and grant Accessibility permissions
3. Right-click any window's title bar to access the Rectangle Pro menu
4. Select "Pin to Top" to toggle always-on-top for that window
5. Or set a global hotkey in Rectangle Pro's preferences under the "Pin" action

Why choose Rectangle Pro

If you already use Rectangle (the free version) for window snapping and want a paid upgrade, Rectangle Pro adds always-on-top as a natural extension. It combines window management and pinning in one tool.

Limitations

• No fullscreen support. Pinned windows stay in the desktop Space only
• The free version of Rectangle does not include the pin feature; you need Pro

Method 4: Noticky for sticky notes that stay on top

If your goal is keeping notes visible while you work, the problem has a purpose-built solution. Noticky is a macOS menu bar app designed specifically for floating sticky notes, and it is built to keep notes visible above fullscreen apps.

Step-by-step setup

1. Install Noticky from noticky.app. Depending on your region and setup, the app may be available via direct checkout, the Mac App Store, or Setapp.
2. Launch it. Noticky appears in your menu bar with no Dock icon
3. Create a note: press `Cmd+Shift+N` from anywhere. The capture window appears instantly
4. Type your note. Use Markdown for formatting: **bold**, # headings, - lists, ` code `
5. Position the note: drag it to any corner or edge of your screen
6. Enter fullscreen in any app. The note stays visible, floating above the fullscreen window
7. Organize: use Smart Tags to color-code notes by project. Lock sensitive notes with Touch ID

Why Noticky works in fullscreen when nothing else does

Most tools pin windows at macOS floating level (level 3). This works above normal windows but cannot cross fullscreen Space boundaries. In my testing as the developer of Noticky, the app combines a higher window level with the collection behaviors above so the note remains visible when I switch Spaces or enter fullscreen apps.

In practice, this is a deliberate use of the macOS window API to achieve what a sticky note should always do: stay visible.

For a deep dive into how this works technically, see How to Keep a Sticky Note Visible in Fullscreen on Mac.

What else Noticky includes

• iCloud Sync across all your Macs
• Touch ID lock for sensitive notes
• Markdown WYSIWYG editor (headings, bold, code blocks, lists)
• Smart Tags with color coding
• Templates for recurring note formats (standups, meeting agendas, checklists)
• Reminders on time-sensitive notes
• Export to .txt, .md, or .pdf
• Trash with 30-day retention

That makes Noticky the better fit when your goal is persistent reference notes rather than general window management.

Method 5: AppleScript and Shortcuts (limited)

You might expect macOS automation tools to handle window pinning. They cannot, at least not reliably.

AppleScript

AppleScript's System Events can manipulate windows via the Accessibility API. You can bring a window to front with AXRaise, resize it, or move it. But there is no AppleScript command to set a window's level. AXRaise brings a window to the front once, but the next click on any other window sends it behind again. This is not "always on top."

macOS Shortcuts

The Shortcuts app (introduced in Monterey) has no window level actions. You cannot create a Shortcut that pins a window on top.

Automator

Same limitation. Automator provides window manipulation via AppleScript, but no access to window levels.

Stage Manager

Stage Manager (introduced in macOS Ventura) organizes windows into groups along the left edge of the screen. It is a window management system, not a pinning mechanism. It does not keep a window visible above a fullscreen app. In some cases, Stage Manager makes the problem worse by auto-hiding windows you want to see.

Mission Control hot corners

Mission Control exposes all windows or switches Spaces, but it cannot pin a specific window above others. Hot corners trigger temporary views, not persistent always-on-top behavior.

The verdict

Native macOS automation tools lack the API access needed for true always-on-top behavior. You need a third-party tool that interfaces directly with the window server, like Hammerspoon, BTT, or Noticky.

Comparison: which method to use

If you only need desktop pinning, Hammerspoon, BetterTouchTool, or Rectangle Pro are fine. If you need notes that stay visible in fullscreen, Noticky is the direct path.

Related reading: floating notes on Mac, macOS window levels explained, keeping sticky notes visible in fullscreen, Noticky vs Rectangle Pro, and Noticky vs BetterTouchTool.

Use cases: when you need a window pinned on top

Developers

Pin a terminal, documentation page, or environment variables above VS Code or Xcode. With Noticky, keep API specs or SQL queries visible in fullscreen. No Cmd+Tab, no Space swiping.

Designers

Keep a design brief, brand palette, or client feedback floating next to Figma or Sketch. Noticky notes stick above the canvas even in fullscreen.

Students and researchers

Pin formulas, lecture notes, or citation guidelines above a paper you are writing. Noticky works above fullscreen Pages, Word, or Google Docs in Safari.

Remote workers

Meeting agenda, talking points, or action items floating above Zoom or Google Meet. No more losing the video feed to check your notes.

Traders and analysts

Watchlists, calculations, or alerts pinned above a fullscreen trading platform. Glance at the data without context switching.

The hidden cost of not pinning windows

Research from the University of California, Irvine supports the idea that interruptions carry a real refocus cost. Every time you swipe between Spaces or Cmd+Tab to check a reference, you introduce a micro-interruption. Over a full workday, these compound into significant focus loss.

Keeping reference material pinned on top eliminates this cost. The information is there when you glance at it; your hands never leave the keyboard, and your focus stays on the primary task.

FAQ

Can macOS keep a window on top without any third-party app?

No. macOS has no built-in setting, shortcut, or menu option to pin a window above others. Apple's design philosophy treats fullscreen as total isolation. You need a third-party tool like Hammerspoon, BetterTouchTool, Rectangle Pro, or Noticky.

Does Stage Manager replace the need for always-on-top?

Stage Manager (introduced in macOS Ventura) organizes windows into groups along the left edge of the screen. It is a window management system, not a pinning mechanism. It does not keep a window visible above a fullscreen app. In some cases, Stage Manager makes the problem worse by hiding windows you want to see.

Will any of these methods slow down my Mac?

No. Hammerspoon and Noticky are lightweight native tools that consume negligible CPU and memory. BetterTouchTool is heavier due to its feature set but has no measurable impact on window rendering performance. Window level changes are handled by the macOS window server at the compositor level, not by the app.

Can I pin a browser window on top to watch a video?

Yes, using Hammerspoon or BetterTouchTool. Pin the Safari or Chrome window and it stays above other desktop windows. However, it will not stay above fullscreen apps. For a floating video specifically, consider Helium (free, purpose-built for floating web content).

Is there a keyboard shortcut to pin a window on top on Mac?

Not natively. You can create one using Hammerspoon (Cmd+Ctrl+T in the example above), BetterTouchTool, or Rectangle Pro. Noticky uses Cmd+Shift+N to create a note that is automatically always on top.

Is there a macOS equivalent of Windows PowerToys "Always on Top"?

Not as a built-in feature. On macOS, the closest equivalents are third-party tools like Hammerspoon, BetterTouchTool, Rectangle Pro, or dedicated note overlays like Noticky. Which one makes sense depends on whether you need a whole app window pinned or just a lightweight note, checklist, or image visible on top.

There is no exact equivalent. Windows PowerToys lets you pin any window with Win+Ctrl+T, and it works in most scenarios. On macOS, BetterTouchTool comes closest for general window pinning, but it cannot cross the fullscreen boundary. For notes above fullscreen, Noticky is the closest macOS equivalent to that seamless experience.

Can I use Cmd+Shift+N to create a pinned note on Mac?

Yes, if you have Noticky installed. Cmd+Shift+N is Noticky's global hotkey for instant note capture. Press it from anywhere, type your note, and it appears above all windows, including fullscreen apps. Install paths can vary by channel and region.

Bottom line

macOS does not let you keep a window on top out of the box. Your best options:

• For any window (desktop only): Hammerspoon (free) or BetterTouchTool ($22)
• For window management + pin: Rectangle Pro ($10)
• For notes that stay visible in fullscreen: Noticky

If you work in fullscreen, and your goal is keeping reference notes visible, Noticky is the tool in this list purpose-built for that note workflow above fullscreen apps.

For more on how Noticky compares to other note apps, see 7 Best Sticky Note Apps for Mac in 2026.

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