Both live in the menu bar. SessionWatcher tracks usage, cost and rate limits across a long list of AI coding tools. Cost Doctor covers two tools: it shows their limits with a forecast of when you run out, goes deeper on why a session is costly, and tells you when something has failed.
| SessionWatcher | Cost Doctor | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Mac menu bar and Windows taskbar | Mac menu bar |
| Tools covered | Claude, Codex, Cursor, Copilot, Gemini CLI and many more | Claude Code and Codex |
| Price | From $8.99 one-time for one tool; bundle and yearly plans for more | $19 once, both tools included |
| Free trial | 7 days | 14 days |
| Main view | Usage and rate limits per tool, live | Limits with a run-out forecast, then today's tokens by session with advice |
| Rate limits and reset times | Yes, for many tools | Yes, for Claude Code and Codex |
| Explains the cause (history, overhead, subagents) | Not its focus | Yes |
| Alerts when a check fails or a session stalls | No | Yes, with a red screen frame |
What the other tool does and costs is taken from its own page, as checked in November 2026. Tools change; check their page for the current details.
Choose SessionWatcher if
- You use several tools, or Windows.
- Your main worry is hitting a rate limit mid-task.
Choose Cost Doctor if
- You use Claude Code or Codex on a Mac and keep asking where the tokens went.
- You want to be told which session to compact and which one started too large.
- You leave agents working and want to know when a check goes red.
See it on your own sessions
Cost Doctor is a Mac menu bar app that reads the logs Claude Code and Codex already write. It names the session that is using your tokens, says why, and turns your screen red when a check fails while an agent sits waiting. Nothing leaves your Mac.
Download the free trialHow it works14 days free, no account. Then $19 once, plus tax where it applies. For Apple silicon and Intel Macs on macOS 13 or later.