MonitorControl alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave MonitorControl: no HiDPI scaling, virtual screens or brightness syncing, and DDC can fail on some monitors and ports. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces MonitorControl, 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	BetterDisplay	Free plan + paid	No	macOS	5 of 5	66.5
2	Lunar	Free plan + paid	No	macOS	4 of 4	62.6

1. BetterDisplayTop pick
Best for: Mac users with external or unusual monitors who want scaling, DDC brightness and virtual screens in one app
Free plan + paidmacOS
66.5
score / 100
Why switch from MonitorControl
Free tier adds HiDPI scaling and virtual screens; Pro unlocks XDR upscaling and much more.
Pros
Covers HiDPI scaling, DDC, XDR brightness and virtual screens in one app
DDC works on Apple Silicon built-in HDMI ports
Pro is a one-time purchase, not a subscription
CLI, URL scheme and Shortcuts support for automation
Cons
macOS only
Very dense settings; overkill if you only need brightness keys
Business users must buy a license even for free features
Visit BetterDisplay 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 BetterDisplay a good MonitorControl alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Pro license
$21.99 one-time
Checked Oct 25, 2026betterdisplay.pro(opens source in a new tab)
Free trial
14 days, all features
Checked Oct 25, 2026betterdisplay.pro(opens source in a new tab)
Licensing
Perpetual, not a subscription
Checked Oct 25, 2026betterdisplay.pro(opens source in a new tab)
Business use
License required
Checked Oct 25, 2026betterdisplay.pro(opens source in a new tab)
Features
HiDPI scaling, XDR brightness, virtual screens, DDC
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
2. Lunar
Best for: Mac users who want external monitors to follow the built-in display's adaptive brightness
Free plan + paidmacOS
62.6
score / 100
Why switch from MonitorControl
Adds automatic brightness syncing with the MacBook's light sensor and fallbacks for DDC-less docks.
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 ×0.387
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 Lunar a good MonitorControl 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)

The best MonitorControl alternative for…

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

Best MonitorControl alternative for most people

BetterDisplay

Free tier adds HiDPI scaling and virtual screens; Pro unlocks XDR upscaling and much more.

Best MonitorControl alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Lunar

Adds automatic brightness syncing with the MacBook's light sensor and fallbacks for DDC-less docks.

Best MonitorControl alternative for Mac

DisplayBuddy

Paid but polished, with input switching and Wi-Fi control of LG and Samsung smart monitors.

MonitorControl alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to MonitorControl?

BetterDisplay ranks first right now. Free tier adds HiDPI scaling and virtual screens; Pro unlocks XDR upscaling and much more. Lunar and DisplayBuddy follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to MonitorControl?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to MonitorControl?

None of the 3 alternatives in this list is open source.

Why do people switch from MonitorControl?

The complaints we hear most: no HiDPI scaling, virtual screens or brightness syncing; DDC can fail on some monitors and ports; macOS only.

How is this list ranked?

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