BetterDisplay alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave BetterDisplay: macOS only, and very dense settings; overkill if you only need brightness keys. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces BetterDisplay, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Lunar currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Lunar	Free plan + paid	No	macOS	4 of 4	66.5
2	MonitorControl	Open source	Yes	macOS	3 of 3	62.6

1. LunarTop pick
Best for: Mac users who want external monitors to follow the built-in display's adaptive brightness
Free plan + paidmacOS
66.5
score / 100
Why switch from BetterDisplay
Focused on DDC brightness syncing and adaptive modes, with a simpler free tier and a lifetime Pro license.
Pros
Changes real hardware brightness via DDC rather than an overlay
Sync Mode matches external screens to the MacBook's light sensor
Fallbacks for monitors and docks that block DDC
Lifetime license, no subscription
Cons
macOS only
Best automatic modes require Pro
Free tier limits daily adjustments and shortcut actions
Visit Lunar Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.3100
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.1585
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Lunar a good BetterDisplay alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
Pro license
$23 lifetime
Checked Oct 25, 2026lunar.fyi(opens source in a new tab)
Free trial
14 days
Checked Oct 25, 2026lunar.fyi(opens source in a new tab)
DDC control
Yes, including Apple Silicon
Checked Oct 25, 2026lunar.fyi(opens source in a new tab)
Requirements
macOS 11+
Checked Oct 25, 2026lunar.fyi(opens source in a new tab)
2. MonitorControl
Best for: Mac users who just want brightness and volume keys to work on an external monitor, for free
Open sourcemacOS
62.6
score / 100
Why switch from BetterDisplay
Free and open source; covers brightness and volume keys for external monitors without the extra features.
Pros
Free and open source (MIT)
Uses the Mac's own brightness and volume keys and native OSD
Small, focused app with little to configure
Cons
No HiDPI scaling, virtual screens or brightness syncing
DDC can fail on some monitors and ports
macOS only
Visit MonitorControl Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.387
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.1585
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is MonitorControl a good BetterDisplay alternative?
Verified facts
3 of 3 verified
License
MIT
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Controls
Brightness and volume
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Keyboard
Apple keys or custom shortcuts
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best BetterDisplay alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best BetterDisplay alternative for most people

Lunar

Focused on DDC brightness syncing and adaptive modes, with a simpler free tier and a lifetime Pro license.

Best BetterDisplay alternative for a free option

MonitorControl

Free and open source; covers brightness and volume keys for external monitors without the extra features.

Best BetterDisplay alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Lunar

Focused on DDC brightness syncing and adaptive modes, with a simpler free tier and a lifetime Pro license.

Best BetterDisplay alternative for open source

MonitorControl

Free and open source; covers brightness and volume keys for external monitors without the extra features.

Best BetterDisplay alternative for Mac

DisplayBuddy

Simpler one-time-purchase app for brightness, volume and input switching, plus Wi-Fi control of LG and Samsung smart monitors.

BetterDisplay alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to BetterDisplay?

Lunar ranks first right now. Focused on DDC brightness syncing and adaptive modes, with a simpler free tier and a lifetime Pro license. MonitorControl and DisplayBuddy follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to BetterDisplay?

Yes. Lunar (free plan + paid) and MonitorControl (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to BetterDisplay?

Yes: MonitorControl.

Why do people switch from BetterDisplay?

The complaints we hear most: macOS only; very dense settings; overkill if you only need brightness keys; business users must buy a license even for free features.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces BetterDisplay, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.