Rename desktops on a Mac for free
macOS can't rename "Desktop 1", "Desktop 2" and so on (here is why). Spacepal can, and the naming part is free for good: after the 14-day trial, your Space names, icons and the name of the current Space in the menu bar keep working without paying.
What stays free after the trial
| Feature | Free, forever | Spacepal Pro ($9.99 once) |
|---|---|---|
| A name for every Space | Yes | Yes |
| A colour and an icon per Space | Yes | Yes |
| Current Space name in the menu bar | Yes | Yes |
| Overview of all Spaces with live previews (⌥Tab) | Trial only | Yes |
| Your names on the desktops in Mission Control | Trial only | Yes |
| Automations, window tools, layouts | Trial only | Yes |
The trial needs no card and nothing is charged when it ends. The Pro features simply switch off and the free ones stay.
How to set it up
- Download Spacepal and open it. It lives in the menu bar, with no Dock icon.
- Grant Accessibility when asked. Screen Recording is only for previews and is optional (see Setup).
- Click the Spacepal item in the menu bar, choose Rename and type a name such as "Mail" or "Client A". Do the same on each desktop.
The names are saved on your Mac and follow each Space even when macOS rearranges them.
Who the free tier is for
If you mostly want to know which desktop you are on, the free tier is enough. If you switch between many Spaces all day, the overview and Mission Control names are what Pro adds. Try both during the trial and decide afterwards.
Limits
Spacepal needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later. Naming and the menu bar work on every supported version. If other free tools fit you better, our comparison pages say so.
Written by Dan Bayer, developer of Spacepal. Last updated 2026-10-30.