MonitorControl Pro vs Lunar

MMonitorControl Pro9.4Visit Lunar8.9Visit

Higher score M MonitorControl Pro #1 in Monitor Control Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 6 of 6 features Visit SysAdminDoc

vs

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

• MonitorControl Pro fits best

  Power users needing deep Windows automation

• Lunar fits best

  Mac users wanting automation and sensors

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Side by side

Feature	MMonitorControl Pro 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Lunar 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.9
Ranking	#1 in Monitor Control Software	#3 in Monitor Control Software
Best for	Power users needing deep Windows automation	Mac users wanting automation and sensors
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	$23 one-time
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	14 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	macOS
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features MonitorControl Pro 6/6 · Lunar 6/6
DDC/CI control	✓	✓
Input switching	✓	✓
Monitor profiles	✓	✓
Settings scheduling	✓	✓
CLI or API access	✓	✓
Auto brightness	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows	macOS
Our review
Pros	Controls brightness, color, inputs, power, and other DDC/CI settings Automates changes by schedule, apps, inactivity, power state, or USB presence Includes profiles, diagnostics, PowerShell, and an optional HTTP bridge	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
Cons	Windows-only platform support Requires compatible external monitors using DDC/CI No AI features	Supports macOS only DDC and input switching depend on monitor setup Advanced modes require the one-time Pro purchase
Our verdict	MonitorControl Pro is a free, open-source Windows desktop application for controlling compatible external monitors through DDC/CI. It is aimed at power users who need more than basic brightness adjustment, with controls for contrast, RGB… Read the review →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• MonitorControl Pro — where it wins

  • Controls brightness, color, inputs, power, and other DDC/CI settings
  • Automates changes by schedule, apps, inactivity, power state, or USB presence
  • Includes profiles, diagnostics, PowerShell, and an optional HTTP bridge

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only platform support
  • Requires compatible external monitors using DDC/CI
  • No AI features

• 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

• MMonitorControl Pro9.4/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source Windows tool for advanced monitor control, profiles, and automation.

  Visit SysAdminDocFull verdict →
• 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 →