MergeHelper vs. Merge Request Notifier
Merge Request Notifier is a lightweight notification tool for GitLab merge requests. MergeHelper tracks pull requests and merge requests across both GitHub and GitLab. Here is how they compare.
Merge Request Notifier is designed as a simple, lightweight tool to keep you informed about GitLab merge request activity. It focuses on notifications and alerts, helping you stay aware of what needs attention without adding complexity or extra features. If you want a straightforward GitLab notification tool, Merge Request Notifier stays minimal and focused.
MergeHelper is built for developers and teams who split their work between GitHub and GitLab. Instead of managing merge requests on GitLab separately from pull requests on GitHub, MergeHelper brings all PRs and MRs into one unified menubar list with PR/MR event notifications, live CI, and approvals. You see everything in one place without context switching.
The key difference: Merge Request Notifier is a GitLab-only notification tool that emphasizes simplicity and alerts. MergeHelper is a unified code review tool that tracks PRs and MRs across both GitHub and GitLab in one interface.
If you work exclusively on GitLab and want a simple notification system, Merge Request Notifier is designed for that. If you split your work between GitHub and GitLab or need a more comprehensive review queue, MergeHelper provides a unified view across both platforms.
Quick comparison
| Feature | MergeHelper | Merge Request Notifier |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub support | ✓ | - |
| GitLab support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Unified GitHub + GitLab list | ✓ | - |
| Lightweight notifications | ✓ | ✓ |
| Comprehensive review queue | ✓ | - |
| macOS menubar app | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-hosted GitLab support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pricing | Free (up to 3 PRs/MRs) $12 one-time for unlimited |
Varies |
Screenshots
MergeHelper unifies GitHub and GitLab PRs/MRs in one comprehensive list.
Merge Request Notifier keeps you informed with simple GitLab alerts.
Detailed feature breakdown
Design philosophy and simplicity
Merge Request Notifier is built around the idea of lightweight notifications. It does not try to be a comprehensive project management tool or a feature-rich menubar app. Instead, it focuses on keeping you aware of merge request activity with minimal complexity. If you value simplicity and just want alerts, this approach can be appealing.
MergeHelper shares a minimal design philosophy but applies it to a more comprehensive review workflow. The interface is clean and focused, but the content is optimized for managing your entire review queue across both GitHub and GitLab, not just receiving notifications.
Platform coverage
Merge Request Notifier is designed exclusively for GitLab. It connects to GitLab.com or self-hosted GitLab instances and notifies you about merge request activity. If your team is GitLab-only and you want a simple notification system, the single-platform focus keeps the tool lightweight.
MergeHelper supports both GitHub and GitLab. If your team uses both platforms, MergeHelper reduces the need for separate tools or browser tabs by showing all PRs and MRs in one unified list. This is the primary value: unification across platforms with less context switching.
Notification vs. review queue model
Merge Request Notifier emphasizes notifications and alerts. It tells you when merge requests need your attention, but it is primarily a notification relay rather than a comprehensive review management tool. This keeps the interface simple and the feature set focused.
MergeHelper is built around a review queue model. The menubar list shows all open PRs and MRs with status context, age, approvals, and live CI, plus quick access to build logs. It is designed to be the place you go to decide what to review next, not just a place to receive notifications. This makes it more comprehensive but also slightly more complex.
Update frequency and interaction
Merge Request Notifier checks for updates and sends notifications when new activity occurs. The interaction model is primarily passive: the tool alerts you, and you navigate to GitLab to handle the work. This keeps the tool lightweight and fast.
MergeHelper uses smart polling to keep the list current and provides direct links to review pages on both GitHub and GitLab. The interaction model is more active: you check the list when you have time to review, scan what needs attention, and click through to the relevant pages.
Self-hosted GitLab and configuration
Both Merge Request Notifier and MergeHelper support self-hosted GitLab instances. You can configure custom URLs and credentials to connect to your internal GitLab server. This is essential for teams using GitLab on-premise or in private cloud environments.
The difference is that MergeHelper also supports GitHub Enterprise, so if your organization uses both GitHub and self-hosted GitLab, MergeHelper can unify those environments. Merge Request Notifier stays focused on GitLab only.
Workflow examples
If you work exclusively on GitLab and want a simple notification system that alerts you when merge requests need attention, Merge Request Notifier is designed for that workflow. You get notifications, click through to GitLab, and handle the work in the web interface. The tool stays out of your way and focuses on alerts.
If your team splits work between GitHub and GitLab, Merge Request Notifier stays focused on GitLab. You would still need another tool or browser tabs for GitHub, which reintroduces context switching. MergeHelper shows all PRs and MRs in one unified list.
If your primary workflow is code review and you want a comprehensive view of what needs review across both platforms, MergeHelper's review queue model is more effective than a notification-only approach. You see everything in one place and can prioritize based on status, age, and other context.
Setup and security
Merge Request Notifier connects to GitLab using a personal access token with appropriate scopes. For self-hosted GitLab, you configure the instance URL and provide credentials. Data is typically handled locally, which keeps your merge request information private and fast.
MergeHelper requires tokens for both GitHub and GitLab if you use both platforms. All credentials are stored in the macOS Keychain, and data processing happens locally on your device. The app does not collect usage analytics or send your data to external servers.
Why choose MergeHelper
MergeHelper is a menubar app that unifies GitHub and GitLab pull requests and merge requests in one place. If your team uses both platforms, the unified list reduces context switching and keeps your entire review queue, CI, approvals, and build logs in one interface.
The app is optimized for developers who spend significant time reviewing code. You get a comprehensive view of what needs review with status context and metadata, not just notifications. This makes MergeHelper more effective as a review management tool.
- ✓Unified GitHub and GitLab PR/MR tracking in one menubar app
- ✓Comprehensive review queue, not just notifications
- ✓Support for self-hosted GitLab and GitHub Enterprise
Why choose Merge Request Notifier
Merge Request Notifier is a good choice if you work exclusively on GitLab and want a lightweight notification tool that stays out of your way. It focuses on alerts and simplicity without adding extra features or complexity.
If you prefer a notification-based workflow where the tool just tells you what needs attention and you handle everything in the GitLab web interface, Merge Request Notifier's simplicity is an advantage. It does one thing well without trying to be more than a notification relay.
- ✓Simple, lightweight notification system
- ✓GitLab-focused with minimal complexity
- ✓Notification-first approach
Pricing comparison
MergeHelper
Free for up to 3 concurrent PRs/MRs.
$12 one-time purchase unlocks unlimited tracking with lifetime updates.
Merge Request Notifier
Check the Merge Request Notifier website for current pricing details.
Compare more apps
The bottom line
Merge Request Notifier is a good fit for GitLab-only teams who want a simple, lightweight notification tool. MergeHelper is for developers who need a comprehensive review queue that unifies GitHub and GitLab pull requests and merge requests.
If you only use GitLab and prefer a notification-based workflow, Merge Request Notifier's simplicity is a good fit. If you use both platforms or need a more comprehensive review management tool, MergeHelper's unified approach reduces context switching and provides more context for prioritizing review work. Teams that split work between GitHub and GitLab often get the biggest benefit because MergeHelper replaces two separate tools with one centralized list.