DisplayBuddy alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave DisplayBuddy: no free tier, and no HiDPI scaling or virtual screens. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces DisplayBuddy, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. BetterDisplay currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	MonitorControl	Open source	Yes	macOS	3 of 3	59.6

1. MonitorControlTop pick
Best for: Mac users who just want brightness and volume keys to work on an external monitor, for free
Open sourcemacOS
59.6
score / 100
Why switch from DisplayBuddy
Free and open source for the basics: brightness and volume keys on external monitors.
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 ×0.377
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 DisplayBuddy 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 DisplayBuddy alternative for…

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

Best DisplayBuddy alternative for most people

BetterDisplay

Free tier plus a broader Pro feature set, including HiDPI scaling and virtual screens.

Best DisplayBuddy alternative for a free option

MonitorControl

Free and open source for the basics: brightness and volume keys on external monitors.

Best DisplayBuddy alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Lunar

Similar DDC control with automatic brightness syncing and a free version to start with.

Best DisplayBuddy alternative for open source

MonitorControl

Free and open source for the basics: brightness and volume keys on external monitors.

Best DisplayBuddy alternative for Mac

BetterDisplay

Free tier plus a broader Pro feature set, including HiDPI scaling and virtual screens.

DisplayBuddy alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to DisplayBuddy?

BetterDisplay ranks first right now. Free tier plus a broader Pro feature set, including HiDPI scaling and virtual screens. Lunar and MonitorControl follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to DisplayBuddy?

Yes. BetterDisplay (free plan + paid), 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 DisplayBuddy?

Yes: MonitorControl.

Why do people switch from DisplayBuddy?

The complaints we hear most: no free tier; no HiDPI scaling or virtual screens; macOS only.

How is this list ranked?

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