Best DisplayBuddy Alternatives in 2026
The top DisplayBuddy alternatives are MonitorControl Pro, Twinkle Tray and Lunar: 15 monitor control software our editors would look at instead of DisplayBuddy, in our ranking order.
DisplayBuddy: A capable cross-platform monitor controller with profiles, scheduling, and scripting. Where it falls short: no free plan is available.
Switching from DisplayBuddy? For most monitor control software buyers the best DisplayBuddy alternative is MonitorControl Pro, built for power users needing deep Windows automation.
Why People Look for a DisplayBuddy Alternative
- 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
- No free plan — 14 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 (DisplayBuddy has none)
Visit MonitorControl Pro
All 15 DisplayBuddy 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 DisplayBuddy:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.5
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 DisplayBuddy:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.5
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 DisplayBuddy:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.5
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 DisplayBuddy:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.5
A free cross-platform control hub for compatible ASUS and ROG monitors.
- Settings scheduling
- Auto brightness
- Monitor profiles
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit ASUS -
Best forMac users needing virtual-display features
- Better than DisplayBuddy:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.7 vs 8.5
A broad Mac display utility with strong virtual-screen features and a perpetual Pro option.
- Input switching
- CLI or API access
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit BetterDisplay -
Best forFree Windows DDC/CI control
- Better than DisplayBuddy:
- Free plan
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
- Better than DisplayBuddy:
- Free plan
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 DisplayBuddy:
- Free plan
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 DisplayBuddy:
- Free plan
A focused, open-source macOS utility for controlling compatible displays.
- Auto brightness
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit MonitorControl -
Best forMac developers using command-line control
- Better than DisplayBuddy:
- Free plan
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 DisplayBuddy:
- Free plan
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
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 DisplayBuddy:
- Free plan
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 DisplayBuddy:
- Free plan
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
- Better than DisplayBuddy:
- Free plan
A focused free option for Windows users who need multi-monitor brightness control.
- CLI or API access
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Monitorian
DisplayBuddy Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to DisplayBuddy?
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 DisplayBuddy?
Yes. MonitorControl Pro, Twinkle Tray, Lunar, ASUS DisplayWidget Center and BetterDisplay have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for DisplayBuddy alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from DisplayBuddy?
Export your data from DisplayBuddy (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 DisplayBuddy.
How to Switch from DisplayBuddy
- Export your data from DisplayBuddy (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 DisplayBuddy.
DisplayBuddy vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | DDC/CI control | Input switching | Monitor profiles | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | DisplayBuddy | No | $24.99 one-time | macOS, Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 |
| 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 | BetterDisplay | Yes | $21.99 one-time | macOS | Yes | Yes | No | 8.7 |
| 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
- DisplayBuddy vs MonitorControl Pro
- DisplayBuddy vs Twinkle Tray
- DisplayBuddy vs Lunar
- DisplayBuddy vs ASUS DisplayWidget Center
- DisplayBuddy vs BetterDisplay
- DisplayBuddy vs ClickMonitorDDC
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update