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Head-to-head · Color Management Software

Datacolor Spyder vs LG OnScreen Control

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Datacolor Spyder #4 in Color Management Software 8.7/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Datacolor
LG OnScreen Control #6 in Color Management Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit LG

Datacolor Spyder leads on 0 checks, LG OnScreen Control on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDatacolor Spyder · 8.7/10
  • Free planonly LG OnScreen Control
  • Most featuresDatacolor Spyder · 2 of 5

Datacolor Spyder scores higher on our rubric for color management software: 8.7 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

Datacolor Spyder is the better fit for straightforward multi-monitor display calibration. LG OnScreen Control is the better fit for free LG monitor controls and presets.

  • Datacolor Spyder fits best

    Straightforward multi-monitor display calibration

  • LG OnScreen Control fits best

    Free LG monitor controls and presets

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Datacolor Spyder 8.7/10 Visit ↗ LG OnScreen Control 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 7.9
Ranking #4 in Color Management Software #6 in Color Management Software
Best for Straightforward multi-monitor display calibration Free LG monitor controls and presets
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Not checked yet Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows, macOS
Support Tickets, Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Datacolor Spyder 2/5 · LG OnScreen Control 0/5
Display calibration ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Printer profiling — Not checked yet
Camera profiling — Not checked yet
HDR calibration Not checked yet Not checked yet
ICC profile management ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Windows_macos Not checked yet
License model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports LCD, mini-LED, OLED, QD-OLED, Apple XDR, and Liquid Retina displays
  • Measures ambient light and creates custom calibration profiles
  • Calibrates multiple monitors with DevicePreview and comparison views
  • Free desktop controls for supported LG monitors
  • Application-specific picture presets and Screen Split layouts
  • Monitor software and firmware updates with notifications
Cons
  • Requires a compatible Spyder sensor for calibration
  • Runs on desktop Windows and macOS only
  • Printer profiling is handled by the separate Spyder Print product
  • Requires a compatible LG monitor
  • Feature coverage varies by monitor model and connection method
  • No instrument-based calibration or ICC profile creation
Our verdict

Datacolor Spyder is a hardware-assisted display calibration product for photographers, graphic designers, and content creators. Its software measures monitor output and creates custom calibration profiles for supported displays, including…

Read the review →

LG OnScreen Control is a free desktop application for managing supported LG monitors on Windows and macOS. It is aimed at people who want convenient access to monitor settings from the desktop rather than physical controls alone. The…

Read the review →
  1. Datacolor SpyderColor Management Software 8.7Paid
  2. LG OnScreen ControlColor Management Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Datacolor Spyder — where it wins

    • Supports LCD, mini-LED, OLED, QD-OLED, Apple XDR, and Liquid Retina displays
    • Measures ambient light and creates custom calibration profiles
    • Calibrates multiple monitors with DevicePreview and comparison views

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a compatible Spyder sensor for calibration
    • Runs on desktop Windows and macOS only
    • Printer profiling is handled by the separate Spyder Print product

  • LG OnScreen Control — where it wins

    • Free desktop controls for supported LG monitors
    • Application-specific picture presets and Screen Split layouts
    • Monitor software and firmware updates with notifications

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a compatible LG monitor
    • Feature coverage varies by monitor model and connection method
    • No instrument-based calibration or ICC profile creation
  • Datacolor Spyder8.7/10 · Paid

    A focused display-calibration system for accurate multi-monitor workflows.

    Visit DatacolorFull verdict →
  • LG OnScreen Control7.9/10 · Free plan

    A free LG monitor utility for presets, layouts, controls, and firmware updates.

    Visit LGFull verdict →

More comparisons

All color management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update