Lunar vs DisplayBuddy

Lunar8.9Visit DisplayBuddy8.5Visit

Higher score Lunar #3 in Monitor Control Software 8.9/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Lunar

vs

DisplayBuddy #6 in Monitor Control Software 8.5/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 6 of 6 features Visit DisplayBuddy

• Lunar fits best

  Mac users wanting automation and sensors

• DisplayBuddy fits best

  Cross-platform users wanting polished control

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Side by side

Feature	Lunar 8.9/10 Visit ↗	DisplayBuddy 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.5
Ranking	#3 in Monitor Control Software	#6 in Monitor Control Software
Best for	Mac users wanting automation and sensors	Cross-platform users wanting polished control
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	$23 one-time	$24.99 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	14 days	7 days
Free trial length	14 days	7 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	Windows, macOS
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Docs
Integrations	2 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Lunar 6/6 · DisplayBuddy 6/6
DDC/CI control	✓	✓
Input switching	✓	✓
Monitor profiles	✓	✓
Settings scheduling	✓	✓
CLI or API access	✓	✓
Auto brightness	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	macOS	macOS, Windows
Our review
Pros	Free DDC control, input switching, and command-line integration Ambient-light adaptation with built-in or external sensors Shortcuts, scheduling, presets, and multi-monitor control	Controls brightness, contrast, volume, inputs, resolution, and rotation Syncs multiple monitors and saves unlimited presets Supports scheduling, scripting, Shortcuts, Siri, and smart-monitor Wi-Fi control
Cons	Supports macOS only DDC and input switching depend on monitor setup Advanced modes require the one-time Pro purchase	No free plan is available DDC/CI control depends on compatible displays Smart-monitor Wi-Fi support is limited to supported Samsung and LG models
Our verdict	Lunar is a native macOS application for controlling external and Apple displays. It supports DDC hardware control for brightness, contrast, volume, and monitor inputs, with gamma-table fallback when DDC is unavailable. Its audience is Mac… Read the review →	DisplayBuddy is desktop software for controlling compatible external monitors from macOS and Windows. It replaces frequent trips to physical monitor buttons with software controls for brightness, contrast, volume, input sources,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Lunar — where it wins

  • Free DDC control, input switching, and command-line integration
  • Ambient-light adaptation with built-in or external sensors
  • Shortcuts, scheduling, presets, and multi-monitor control

  Where it doesn't

  • Supports macOS only
  • DDC and input switching depend on monitor setup
  • Advanced modes require the one-time Pro purchase

• DisplayBuddy — where it wins

  • Controls brightness, contrast, volume, inputs, resolution, and rotation
  • Syncs multiple monitors and saves unlimited presets
  • Supports scheduling, scripting, Shortcuts, Siri, and smart-monitor Wi-Fi control

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available
  • DDC/CI control depends on compatible displays
  • Smart-monitor Wi-Fi support is limited to supported Samsung and LG models

• Lunar8.9/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

  A capable Mac monitor controller with automation, sensors, and a low one-time Pro price.

  Visit LunarFull verdict →
• DisplayBuddy8.5/10 · 7-day trial

  A capable cross-platform monitor controller with profiles, scheduling, and scripting.

  Visit DisplayBuddyFull verdict →