AppBreakup
Submit an app

SwitchResX alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave SwitchResX: mac only, and settings are dense and take time to learn. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces SwitchResX, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. BetterDisplay currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1BetterDisplay logoBetterDisplayFree plan + paidNomacOS7 of 768.8
2Lunar logoLunarFree plan + paidNomacOS6 of 664.8
3DisplayBuddy logoDisplayBuddyPaidNomacOS4 of 461.8
4MonitorControl logoMonitorControlOpen sourceYesmacOS3 of 359.4
  1. BetterDisplay logo

    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

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from SwitchResX

    Newer app with custom resolutions, HiDPI scaling and virtual screens, plus a free tier.

    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 ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is BetterDisplay a good SwitchResX alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Pro license
    $21.99 one-time
    Checked Oct 29, 2026betterdisplay.pro(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days, all features
    Checked Nov 1, 2026betterdisplay.pro(opens source in a new tab)
    Licensing
    Perpetual, not a subscription
    Checked Oct 29, 2026betterdisplay.pro(opens source in a new tab)
    Business use
    License required
    Checked Oct 29, 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)
    Starting price
    $21.99 one-time (Pro licence)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026betterdisplay.pro(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes, free features for personal use
    Checked Nov 1, 2026betterdisplay.pro(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Lunar logo

    2. Lunar

    Best for: Mac users who want external monitors to follow the built-in display's adaptive brightness

    Free plan + paidmacOS

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from SwitchResX

    Focuses on external monitor brightness and contrast control, with resolution tools too.

    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 ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Lunar a good SwitchResX alternative?

    Verified facts

    6 of 6 verified
    Pro license
    $23 lifetime
    Checked Oct 29, 2026lunar.fyi(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days
    Checked Nov 1, 2026lunar.fyi(opens source in a new tab)
    DDC control
    Yes, including Apple Silicon
    Checked Oct 29, 2026lunar.fyi(opens source in a new tab)
    Requirements
    macOS 11+
    Checked Oct 29, 2026lunar.fyi(opens source in a new tab)
    Lifetime price
    $23 one-time Pro license
    Checked Nov 1, 2026lunar.fyi(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes, free version with daily limits
    Checked Nov 1, 2026lunar.fyi(opens source in a new tab)
  3. DisplayBuddy logo

    3. DisplayBuddy

    Best for: Mac users with smart monitors or several displays who want a polished, buy-once controller

    PaidmacOS

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from SwitchResX

    Simpler menu bar app for brightness, input switching and display presets.

    Pros

    • Controls LG webOS and Samsung Tizen smart monitors over Wi-Fi
    • Automatic gamma fallback when DDC fails
    • One-time price includes future major versions
    • Available through Setapp

    Cons

    • No free tier
    • No HiDPI scaling or virtual screens
    • macOS only
    Visit DisplayBuddy Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is DisplayBuddy a good SwitchResX alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    $24.99 one-time
    Checked Oct 29, 2026displaybuddy.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Updates
    Lifetime, including major versions
    Checked Oct 29, 2026displaybuddy.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Refund window
    7 days
    Checked Oct 29, 2026displaybuddy.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Smart monitors
    LG webOS and Samsung Tizen over Wi-Fi
    Checked Oct 29, 2026displaybuddy.app(opens source in a new tab)
  4. MonitorControl logo

    4. MonitorControl

    Best for: Mac users who just want brightness and volume keys to work on an external monitor, for free

    Open sourcemacOS

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from SwitchResX

    Free, open-source option if you mainly want brightness and volume control for 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 ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is MonitorControl a good SwitchResX 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 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best SwitchResX alternative for…

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

BetterDisplay logo

Best SwitchResX alternative for most people

BetterDisplay

Newer app with custom resolutions, HiDPI scaling and virtual screens, plus a free tier.

MonitorControl logo

Best SwitchResX alternative for a free option

MonitorControl

Free, open-source option if you mainly want brightness and volume control for monitors.

Lunar logo

Best SwitchResX alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Lunar

Focuses on external monitor brightness and contrast control, with resolution tools too.

MonitorControl logo

Best SwitchResX alternative for open source

MonitorControl

Free, open-source option if you mainly want brightness and volume control for monitors.

DisplayBuddy logo

Best SwitchResX alternative for Mac

DisplayBuddy

Simpler menu bar app for brightness, input switching and display presets.

SwitchResX alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to SwitchResX?

BetterDisplay ranks first right now. Newer app with custom resolutions, HiDPI scaling and virtual screens, plus a free tier. Lunar and DisplayBuddy follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to SwitchResX?

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 SwitchResX?

Yes: MonitorControl.

Why do people switch from SwitchResX?

The complaints we hear most: mac only; settings are dense and take time to learn; no free tier once the trial ends.

How is this list ranked?

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