Best MonitorControl Alternatives in 2026
The top MonitorControl alternatives are MonitorControl Pro, Twinkle Tray and Lunar: 15 monitor control software our editors would look at instead of MonitorControl, in our ranking order.
MonitorControl: A focused, open-source macOS utility for controlling compatible displays. Where it falls short: macOS only.
Switching from MonitorControl? For most monitor control software buyers the best MonitorControl alternative is MonitorControl Pro, built for power users needing deep Windows automation.
Why People Look for a MonitorControl Alternative
- macOS only
- Requires a compatible display for DDC control
- No documented input switching, profiles, scheduling or CLI/API
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
All 15 MonitorControl 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 MonitorControl:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.7
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 MonitorControl:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.7
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 MonitorControl:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.7
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 MonitorControl:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.7
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 MonitorControl:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.7
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 forCross-platform users wanting polished control
- Better than MonitorControl:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.7
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 MonitorControl:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.7
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 MonitorControl:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.7
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 MonitorControl:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.7
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 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
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
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
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
MonitorControl Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to MonitorControl?
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 MonitorControl?
Yes. MonitorControl Pro, Twinkle Tray, Lunar, ASUS DisplayWidget Center and BetterDisplay have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for MonitorControl alternatives?
macOS only; Requires a compatible display for DDC control; No documented input switching, profiles, scheduling or CLI/API.
How do I switch from MonitorControl?
Export your data from MonitorControl (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 MonitorControl.
How to Switch from MonitorControl
- Export your data from MonitorControl (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 MonitorControl.
MonitorControl vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | DDC/CI control | Input switching | Monitor profiles | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | MonitorControl | Yes | Free | macOS | Yes | 7.7 | ||
| 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 | BetterDisplay | Yes | $21.99 one-time | macOS | Yes | Yes | No | 8.7 |
| 6 | DisplayBuddy | No | $24.99 one-time | macOS, Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 |
| 7 | ClickMonitorDDC | Yes | Free | Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
| 8 | DDC-CI Control Bridge | Yes | Free | Windows, Linux, macOS | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 9 | ControlMyMonitor | Yes | Free | Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 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 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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