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MonitorControl
Control external monitor brightness & volume
System UtilitiesFreeOpen SourceReplaces Lunar Pro ($23)
MonitorControl — Official Website
Quick Take: MonitorControl
4.5
MonitorControl is an indispensable, free, and open-source solution for macOS users with external displays. It brilliantly bridges the gap between third-party monitors and Apple's native control experience, offering seamless adjustments via media keys and robust customization. Its current feature set and active community support make it an excellent choice for enhancing display management.
Best For
- •Users seeking free, native-like control over external display settings.
- •Individuals with multi-monitor setups needing brightness synchronization.
- •Anyone frustrated by manually adjusting their non-Apple monitor's controls.
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask monitorcontrolWhat is Monitorcontrol?
MonitorControl is a free, open-source macOS application providing native control over external display brightness, contrast, and volume. It allows users to use standard Mac keyboard media keys or a menu bar slider, mimicking the seamless experience of built-in Apple displays. The app communicates with monitors using protocols like DDC/CI, translating macOS commands into monitor-specific instructions for enhanced display management. Originally created to fill a frustrating gap in macOS functionality — the inability to control non-Apple monitors with keyboard shortcuts — MonitorControl has grown into one of the most popular open-source utilities on GitHub for Mac users. It supports both Intel and Apple Silicon architectures natively, works with macOS Mojave through Tahoe, and has been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times by professionals, students, and home office users who want a consistent display control experience across their entire multi-monitor setup.
Deep Dive: MonitorControl's Journey and Impact
MonitorControl emerged as a vital open-source solution addressing a long-standing frustration for macOS users: the lack of native control over external displays. Its development has been driven by the need to integrate non-Apple monitors seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem, leveraging protocols like DDC/CI.
History & Background
Initially conceived to fill a significant gap in macOS functionality, MonitorControl quickly gained traction within the community after its initial release. macOS has never provided native brightness or volume controls for third-party external displays, leaving users to fumble with physical buttons on the back or underside of their monitors. MonitorControl solved this elegantly by leveraging DDC/CI, a decades-old protocol that most monitors support but few operating systems expose to end users. Its evolution saw continuous updates to support new macOS versions and hardware, including the critical transition to Apple Silicon in 2020. Versions like 4.3.3 added macOS Sequoia compatibility, ensuring users on the latest Apple operating system could continue using the tool without interruption. This steady progress solidified its position as a go-to utility for anyone connecting external displays to a Mac.
How It Works
At its core, MonitorControl translates macOS media key inputs and menu bar movements into monitor-specific commands via DDC/CI. For Apple and built-in displays, it uses native Apple protocols. This multi-protocol approach, combined with intelligent software dimming, allows for comprehensive and flexible control.
Ecosystem & Integrations
The ecosystem surrounding MonitorControl is robust, centered around its GitHub repository with significant community engagement and active issue tracking. Its open-source MIT license encourages contributions, fostering a collaborative environment where developers can fork, modify, and redistribute the code freely. While a separate Python library named 'monitorcontrol' exists for programmatic DDC/CI control in automation scripts, the macOS application itself remains distinct and actively supported. MonitorControl is often installed via Homebrew, the de facto package manager for macOS, making updates as simple as running a single terminal command. The tool integrates naturally with other macOS utilities — for example, users often pair it with apps like Rectangle for window management or Amphetamine for keeping their Mac awake during presentations, creating a comprehensive desktop management workflow.
Future Development
While MonitorControl has seen consistent maintenance, recent discussions (early 2025) suggest the primary developer is increasingly focusing on 'BetterDisplay.' This implies MonitorControl's future roadmap might prioritize stability and compatibility updates over major new feature introductions, serving as a solid free base utility.
Key Features
External Display Control
MonitorControl empowers users to directly adjust brightness, contrast, and volume of external monitors. This mirrors the native control available for built-in Apple displays, providing a unified user experience.
Native macOS OSD Support
The application integrates seamlessly with macOS by supporting native On-Screen Display (OSD) notifications. Users will see familiar visual feedback when adjusting settings, enhancing the intuitive feel of the controls.
Flexible Control Inputs
Users can control displays using standard Apple keyboard media keys or configure custom keyboard shortcuts. This flexibility caters to various setups and personal preferences, ensuring convenient access.
Multi-Protocol Communication
MonitorControl utilizes DDC/CI for most external monitors and native Apple protocols for built-in and Apple-branded displays. This broad compatibility ensures effective control across diverse hardware configurations.
Smooth Brightness Transitions
The application is engineered to provide smooth and fluid transitions when adjusting brightness levels. This eliminates jarring jumps in display intensity, contributing to a more comfortable viewing experience.
Extended Dimming Capabilities
MonitorControl combines hardware and software dimming techniques to achieve brightness levels beyond a monitor's native minimum. This allows for comfortable viewing even in very dark environments.
Display Synchronization
A powerful feature allows users to synchronize brightness settings across multiple connected displays. This can replicate adjustments from a built-in screen or dynamically match ambient light sensor readings.
Advanced Customization
The application offers a wide array of customization options accessible through its advanced settings. Users can fine-tune various parameters, ensuring the app behaves exactly as desired for their specific needs.
Who Should Use MonitorControl?
1Multi-Monitor Professional
A professional with multiple external displays wants to quickly adjust brightness and volume across all screens. MonitorControl allows synchronization and central control, boosting productivity and consistency.
2Home Office User
Someone connecting their MacBook to an external monitor finds manual adjustments cumbersome. MonitorControl provides the convenience of using their Mac's keyboard to control the external display seamlessly.
3Content Creator
A content creator needs precise and consistent brightness levels across primary and secondary monitors for color-sensitive work. MonitorControl's smooth transitions and synchronization ensure uniform display output for accuracy.
4Budget-Conscious Student
A student using an older external monitor with limited native controls seeks a free solution for better management. MonitorControl offers robust, no-cost brightness and volume control without needing new hardware.
5Power User/Scripter
An advanced user wants to automate display adjustments or integrate them into custom workflows. MonitorControl's underlying DDC/CI communication can be leveraged for powerful scripting possibilities.
How to Install Monitorcontrol
MonitorControl can be easily installed on macOS using a couple of popular methods, catering to both GUI preference and command-line enthusiasts.
1
Via GitHub Releases (Manual)
Visit the official GitHub releases page, download the latest stable .dmg file, and drag the application to your Applications folder. Launch it from there.
2
Via Homebrew Cask (Recommended)
Open your Terminal and run `brew install --cask monitorcontrol`. Homebrew handles the download and installation, simplifying the process significantly.
3
Granting Permissions
After installation, grant MonitorControl accessibility permissions in macOS System Settings (Privacy & Security > Accessibility) for full functionality.
Pro Tips
- • Always download from official sources like GitHub or Homebrew for security.
- • Restarting the app or your Mac can resolve initial detection or setup issues.
- • Check GitHub Discussions for troubleshooting common installation hurdles.
Configuration Tips
Enable Accessibility Permissions
For full functionality, ensure MonitorControl has accessibility permissions in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility. This allows it to intercept media key presses and control displays.
Fine-Tune Display Detection
If your monitor isn't detected, check advanced settings for options to force DDC/CI or adjust polling rates. These can resolve compatibility issues with specific hardware setups.
Customize Keyboard Shortcuts
Beyond standard media keys, set custom shortcuts for brightness, contrast, and volume. This is useful for non-Apple keyboards or to avoid conflicts with other application keybinds.
Utilize Software Dimming for Low Light
If hardware dimming isn't sufficient, enable software dimming in advanced settings. This extends the dimming range, providing a much darker screen for comfortable viewing in dim environments.
Alternatives to MonitorControl
While MonitorControl offers robust free functionality, several alternatives exist, each with unique strengths, catering to different user needs and budgets.
L
Lunar
Lunar provides more advanced features like adaptive brightness based on time of day and ambient light, and supports XDR brightness. However, it operates on a subscription model, making it a premium option.
D
DisplayBuddy
DisplayBuddy is known for its clean UI, advanced preset system, and reliable brightness synchronization. It is available as paid software with a lifetime license, offering professional support.
B
BetterDisplay
Developed by the same creator, BetterDisplay is a feature-rich display management app for power users. It offers advanced scaling, virtual displays, and XDR/HDR upscaling capabilities.
d
ddcctl
ddcctl is a command-line utility for DDC/CI control, suitable for scripting and advanced users. Unlike MonitorControl's GUI, it offers a minimalistic approach for automation.
Pricing
Free and Open-Source
MonitorControl is entirely free to download, use, and modify under an open-source license. There are no hidden costs or subscription fees. Users are encouraged to make voluntary donations to support its ongoing development and maintenance.
Pros
- ✓Completely free and open-source, offering powerful features without any cost.
- ✓Provides native macOS integration, using standard media keys and OSD notifications.
- ✓Supports a wide range of external displays through DDC/CI and native Apple displays.
- ✓Offers advanced features like smooth brightness transitions and extended dimming.
- ✓Enables brightness synchronization across multiple monitors for consistent setups.
- ✓Features extensive customization options to tailor the app's behavior.
- ✓Actively maintained with regular updates for new macOS versions and architectures.
- ✓Significantly improves the user experience for non-Apple external displays on macOS.
Cons
- ✗Primary developer focus has shifted to 'BetterDisplay,' potentially slowing MonitorControl's development.
- ✗DDC/CI communication can be inconsistent or unsupported by some older or specific monitor models.
- ✗Requires macOS 10.14 Mojave or later, excluding users on older macOS versions.
- ✗May not offer the most advanced, niche features found in some paid alternatives like adaptive brightness.
- ✗A separate 'monitorcontrol' Python library can occasionally cause confusion for users.
Community & Ecosystem
MonitorControl thrives as a prominent open-source project on GitHub, boasting a significant and engaged community with over 26,000 stars and hundreds of contributors. Its MIT license encourages contributions, fostering a collaborative environment where developers submit bug fixes, compatibility patches for new monitor models, and feature enhancements. A dedicated GitHub Discussions forum facilitates Q&A and idea sharing, with active threads covering DDC/CI troubleshooting for specific monitor brands, configuration tips for multi-display setups, and requests for new features. Installation is streamlined via GitHub releases or the popular Homebrew package manager, reflecting its accessibility to both casual and technical users. The project benefits from the broader macOS utility community, with cross-pollination from related projects like BetterDisplay and Lunar. Users frequently recommend MonitorControl on Reddit's r/mac and r/macapps communities, and it regularly appears in curated lists of essential free Mac applications.
Video Tutorials
Getting Started with MonitorControl
Brian Popp23.5K views
More Tutorials
How to fix Sound and Brightness on an external display - Mac DisplayPort - Monitor Control App
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Control your external Monitor on MacOS #mac #monitor #app #software
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Controlling External Monitor Volume: How to Use eqMac with HDMI, USB-C, and DisplayPort Connections
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Frequently Asked Questions about MonitorControl
MonitorControl is a free, open-source macOS application that gives users native control over their external displays. It adjusts brightness, contrast, and volume using Mac keyboard media keys or a menu bar slider.
Our Verdict
4.5/5
MonitorControl is an indispensable, free, and open-source solution for macOS users with external displays. It brilliantly bridges the gap between third-party monitors and Apple's native control experience, offering seamless adjustments via media keys and robust customization. Its current feature set and active community support make it an excellent choice for enhancing display management.
Best for:Users seeking free, native-like control over external display settings.Individuals with multi-monitor setups needing brightness synchronization.Anyone frustrated by manually adjusting their non-Apple monitor's controls.
About the Author
Productivity & Workflow Analyst
Productivity ApplicationsNote-Taking & Knowledge ManagementTask & Project Management
8+ years in operations management · PMP certified
Related Technologies & Concepts
MonitorControlmacOSDDC/CIApple SiliconIntel 64MojaveBig SurSequoiaTahoeLunarDisplayBuddyBetterDisplayddcctlGitHubHomebrew
MonitorControl (main_subject), macOS (platform), DDC/CI (technology_used), Apple Silicon (compatibility), Intel 64 (compatibility), Mojave (minimum_requirement), Big Sur (recommended_version), Sequoia (compatibility_target), Tahoe (compatibility_target), Lunar (alternative), DisplayBuddy (alternative), BetterDisplay (alternative), ddcctl (alternative), GitHub (community_hosting), Homebrew (installation_method)
Related Topics
External Display Management
Focuses on controlling brightness, contrast, and volume of monitors not natively supported by macOS, a core problem MonitorControl solves.
Open Source Software
Highlights MonitorControl's free and community-driven nature, a significant aspect of its identity and appeal.
macOS Utilities
Categorizes MonitorControl as a tool that enhances the macOS user experience, particularly for hardware integration.
DDC/CI Technology
Explores the underlying communication protocol enabling MonitorControl's functionality and its implications for compatibility.
Sources & References
Fact-CheckedLast verified: Feb 15, 2026
Key Verified Facts
- MonitorControl is an open-source macOS application providing native control over external display brightness, contrast, and volume.[mc_github]
- It allows adjustments using standard Mac keyboard media keys or a menu bar slider, mimicking built-in Apple display experience.[mc_github]
- The app communicates with monitors using protocols like DDC/CI to translate macOS commands.[mc_github]
- MonitorControl supports native macOS On-Screen Display (OSD) notifications for adjustments.[mc_github]
- It offers multi-protocol support, including DDC for external and native Apple protocol for Apple/built-in displays.[mc_github]
- 1MonitorControl GitHub Repository
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 2MonitorControl Homebrew Cask
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 3MonitorControl GitHub Discussions
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 4MonitorControl Wiki
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
Research queries: MonitorControl features; MonitorControl pricing; MonitorControl system requirements; MonitorControl alternatives; MonitorControl latest version; MonitorControl development status; MonitorControl community; MonitorControl DDC/CI