Best BetterDisplay Alternatives in 2026
The top BetterDisplay alternatives are MonitorControl Pro, Twinkle Tray and Lunar: 15 monitor control software our editors would look at instead of BetterDisplay, in our ranking order.
BetterDisplay: A broad Mac display utility with strong virtual-screen features and a perpetual Pro option. Where it falls short: macOS-only platform support.
Switching from BetterDisplay? For most monitor control software buyers the best BetterDisplay alternative is MonitorControl Pro, built for power users needing deep Windows automation.
Why People Look for a BetterDisplay Alternative
- macOS-only platform support
- No scheduling, monitor profiles, or automatic brightness controls
- Some features depend on the Mac, macOS version, display, and connection
- No monitor profiles — 11 of the alternatives below have it
- No settings scheduling — 6 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallMonitorControl Pro9.4
Power users needing deep Windows automation
Visit MonitorControl Pro - Best free optionMonitorControl Pro9.4
Has a free plan
Visit MonitorControl Pro - Best for monitor profilesMonitorControl Pro9.4
Monitor profiles (BetterDisplay: no)
Visit MonitorControl Pro
All 15 BetterDisplay Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forPower users needing deep Windows automation
- Better than BetterDisplay:
- Monitor profiles
- Settings scheduling
- Auto brightness
A free, open-source Windows tool for advanced monitor control, profiles, and automation.
- Settings scheduling
- Auto brightness
- Monitor profiles
9.4/10★★★★★Visit SysAdminDoc -
Best forFree Windows multi-monitor control
- Better than BetterDisplay:
- Monitor profiles
- Settings scheduling
- Auto brightness
A capable free Windows utility for multi-monitor control, profiles, scheduling, and scripting.
- Settings scheduling
- Auto brightness
- Monitor profiles
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Twinkle Tray -
Best forMac users wanting automation and sensors
- Better than BetterDisplay:
- Monitor profiles
- Settings scheduling
- Auto brightness
A capable Mac monitor controller with automation, sensors, and a low one-time Pro price.
- Settings scheduling
- Auto brightness
- Monitor profiles
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Lunar -
Best forCross-platform ASUS monitor owners
- Better than BetterDisplay:
- Monitor profiles
- Settings scheduling
- Auto brightness
A free cross-platform control hub for compatible ASUS and ROG monitors.
- Settings scheduling
- Auto brightness
- Monitor profiles
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit ASUS -
Best forCross-platform users wanting polished control
- Better than BetterDisplay:
- Monitor profiles
- Settings scheduling
- Auto brightness
A capable cross-platform monitor controller with profiles, scheduling, and scripting.
- Settings scheduling
- Auto brightness
- Monitor profiles
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit DisplayBuddy -
Best forFree Windows DDC/CI control
- Better than BetterDisplay:
- Monitor profiles
- Settings scheduling
- Auto brightness
A capable free Windows tool for DDC/CI monitor control and automation.
- Settings scheduling
- Auto brightness
- Monitor profiles
8.0/10★★★★☆Try ClickMonitorDDC -
Best forSmart-home and API-driven monitor control
A flexible open-source bridge for scripted, automated, and home-automation monitor control.
- Input switching
- CLI or API access
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forFree Windows configuration and scripting
- Better than BetterDisplay:
- Monitor profiles
A free Windows utility for detailed monitor control, profiles and scripting.
- Monitor profiles
- Input switching
- CLI or API access
7.8/10★★★★☆Try ControlMyMonitor -
Best forFree macOS brightness and volume control
- Better than BetterDisplay:
- Auto brightness
A focused, open-source macOS utility for controlling compatible displays.
- Auto brightness
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit MonitorControl -
Best forMac developers using command-line control
A focused open-source tool for scripting compatible monitor controls from macOS.
- Input switching
- CLI or API access
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit m1ddc -
Best forLinux developers needing a monitor API
- Better than BetterDisplay:
- Monitor profiles
A free, open-source monitor API with broad Linux DDC/CI control.
- Monitor profiles
- Input switching
- CLI or API access
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit ddcutil -
Best forSelf-hosted Linux and smart-home setups
- Better than BetterDisplay:
- Monitor profiles
A focused open-source service for controlling monitors from Linux, the web, APIs, and smart-home tools.
- Monitor profiles
- Input switching
- CLI or API access
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Monitor Switch -
Best forFree Linux desktop brightness control
- Better than BetterDisplay:
- Monitor profiles
A free Linux utility for DDC/CI monitor control with GUI, CLI, profiles, and hotkeys.
- Monitor profiles
- CLI or API access
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forLinux users wanting GUI and profile storage
- Better than BetterDisplay:
- Monitor profiles
A free, open-source Linux tool for GUI and command-line monitor control.
- Monitor profiles
- CLI or API access
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit DDCcontrol -
Best forSimple free Windows brightness control
A focused free option for Windows users who need multi-monitor brightness control.
- CLI or API access
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Monitorian
BetterDisplay Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to BetterDisplay?
MonitorControl Pro: #1 in our Monitor Control Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A free, open-source Windows tool for advanced monitor control, profiles, and automation.
Is there a free alternative to BetterDisplay?
Yes. MonitorControl Pro, Twinkle Tray, Lunar, ASUS DisplayWidget Center and ClickMonitorDDC have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for BetterDisplay alternatives?
macOS-only platform support; No scheduling, monitor profiles, or automatic brightness controls; Some features depend on the Mac, macOS version, display, and connection.
How do I switch from BetterDisplay?
Export your data from BetterDisplay (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel BetterDisplay.
How to Switch from BetterDisplay
- Export your data from BetterDisplay (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel BetterDisplay.
BetterDisplay vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | DDC/CI control | Input switching | Monitor profiles | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | BetterDisplay | Yes | $21.99 one-time | macOS | Yes | Yes | No | 8.7 |
| 1 | MonitorControl Pro | Yes | Free | Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Twinkle Tray | Yes | Free | Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 |
| 3 | Lunar | Yes | $23 one-time | macOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 4 | ASUS DisplayWidget Center | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 5 | DisplayBuddy | No | $24.99 one-time | macOS, Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 |
| 6 | ClickMonitorDDC | Yes | Free | Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
| 7 | DDC-CI Control Bridge | Yes | Free | Windows, Linux, macOS | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 8 | ControlMyMonitor | Yes | Free | Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 9 | MonitorControl | Yes | Free | macOS | Yes | 7.7 | ||
| 10 | m1ddc | Yes | Free | macOS (Apple Silicon) | Yes | Yes | 7.6 | |
| 11 | ddcutil | Yes | Free | Linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.5 |
| 12 | Monitor Switch | Free | web, Linux, API, self-hosted Raspberry Pi | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 13 | Monitor Brightness Control | Yes | Free | Linux | Yes | No | Yes | 7.3 |
| 14 | DDCcontrol | Yes | Free | Linux | Yes | Yes | 7.2 | |
| 15 | Monitorian | Yes | Windows | Yes | 7.1 |
Head-to-Head
- BetterDisplay vs MonitorControl Pro
- BetterDisplay vs Twinkle Tray
- BetterDisplay vs Lunar
- BetterDisplay vs ASUS DisplayWidget Center
- BetterDisplay vs DisplayBuddy
- BetterDisplay vs ClickMonitorDDC
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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