Best Twinkle Tray Alternatives in 2026
The top Twinkle Tray alternatives are MonitorControl Pro, Lunar and ASUS DisplayWidget Center: 15 monitor control software our editors would look at instead of Twinkle Tray, in our ranking order.
Twinkle Tray: A capable free Windows utility for multi-monitor control, profiles, scheduling, and scripting. Where it falls short: windows-only coverage limits use on macOS and other platforms.
Switching from Twinkle Tray? For most monitor control software buyers the best Twinkle Tray alternative is MonitorControl Pro, built for power users needing deep Windows automation.
Why People Look for a Twinkle Tray Alternative
- Windows-only coverage limits use on macOS and other platforms
- Some controls depend on compatible monitors and DDC/CI support
- Advanced display control may require configuration across different monitors
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 Twinkle Tray 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 Twinkle Tray:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 9.2
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 forMac users wanting automation and sensors
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Twinkle Tray Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Twinkle Tray?
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 Twinkle Tray?
Yes. MonitorControl Pro, Lunar, ASUS DisplayWidget Center, BetterDisplay and ClickMonitorDDC have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Twinkle Tray alternatives?
Windows-only coverage limits use on macOS and other platforms; Some controls depend on compatible monitors and DDC/CI support; Advanced display control may require configuration across different monitors.
How do I switch from Twinkle Tray?
Export your data from Twinkle Tray (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 Twinkle Tray.
How to Switch from Twinkle Tray
- Export your data from Twinkle Tray (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 Twinkle Tray.
Twinkle Tray vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | DDC/CI control | Input switching | Monitor profiles | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Twinkle Tray | Yes | Free | Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 |
| 1 | MonitorControl Pro | Yes | Free | Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Lunar | Yes | $23 one-time | macOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 3 | ASUS DisplayWidget Center | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 4 | BetterDisplay | Yes | $21.99 one-time | macOS | Yes | Yes | No | 8.7 |
| 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
- Twinkle Tray vs MonitorControl Pro
- Twinkle Tray vs Lunar
- Twinkle Tray vs ASUS DisplayWidget Center
- Twinkle Tray vs BetterDisplay
- Twinkle Tray vs DisplayBuddy
- Twinkle Tray vs ClickMonitorDDC
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update