TL;DR
Looking for free alternatives to DisplayBuddy? Here are the best open source and free options for Mac.
What is the best free alternative to DisplayBuddy?
The best free alternative to DisplayBuddy ($24.99) is Lunar. Install it with: brew install --cask lunar.
Free Alternative to DisplayBuddy
Save $24.99 with these 1 free alternatives that work great on macOS.
Our Top Pick
Quick Comparison
| App | Price | Open Source | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| DisplayBuddy | $24.99 | No | — |
| Lunar | Free | No | System Utilities |
Best Free Alternative to Displaybuddy for Mac
DisplayBuddy is a $24.99 one-time Mac (and Windows) utility for controlling external monitor brightness, contrast, volume, and inputs via DDC, with gamma fallback, multi-display sync, presets, schedules, Shortcuts/Siri, and even Wi-Fi control for some LG webOS and Samsung Tizen screens. As of August 2026 it still sells as buy-once with free lifetime updates—including major versions—and a 7-day refund. That is fair pricing, but free alternatives cover the basics for many desks. Lunar (lunar.fyi) remains the strongest free/open path for DDC brightness on Apple Silicon, with a Pro unlock if you want deeper automation. BetterDisplay (free tier + paid Pro) handles HiDPI tricks, virtual screens, and brightness for many setups. MonitorControl is another free DDC menu-bar tool. Where DisplayBuddy still wins: polished presets/schedules, smart-monitor Wi-Fi control, and a cross-platform license. If you only need F1/F2 brightness on a standard Dell/LG panel, free tools are enough; if you run mixed smart monitors and care about one-click scene presets, $24.99 is honest.
Detailed Alternative Reviews
Lunar
Intelligent adaptive brightness for external displays
brew install --cask lunarLunar is the most feature-rich free alternative to Displaybuddy, offering DDC/CI-based hardware brightness control, automatic adaptive brightness via multiple modes, and unique features like XDR brightness unlock for Pro Display XDR and MacBook Pro screens. The free version includes brightness/volume control, input switching, BlackOut mode, and 100 manual adjustments per day—more than sufficient for most users. Unlike Displaybuddy, Lunar is open-source, actively maintained by developer Alin Panaitiu since 2019, and deeply optimized for macOS with native Apple Silicon support. The Pro license ($23+ one-time or subscription) unlocks unlimited adjustments, Sync Mode for automatic brightness matching across displays, Location Mode for sun-based adaptation, and Sensor Mode for ambient light detection. However, the free tier delivers 90% of the functionality users actually need, including the critical DDC hardware control that distinguishes serious monitor utilities from software-only dimming apps.
Key Features:
- DDC/CI hardware control for brightness, contrast, and volume on external monitors
- Adaptive brightness with location-based, time-based, and sync modes
- XDR Brightness unlock for Pro Display XDR and MacBook Pro (exceeds 500 nits)
- BlackOut mode to selectively turn off displays without disconnecting
- FaceLight feature turns your monitor into a video call light source
- Native Apple Silicon optimization with excellent M-series performance
- 100 free manual adjustments per day (sufficient for most workflows)
Limitations:
- • Free version limited to 100 brightness/contrast adjustments per day
- • Some advanced sync features require Pro license
- • No native Windows support—macOS only
- • Interface has a steeper learning curve than Displaybuddy's simplified UI
Best for: Mac users who want hardware-level brightness control with adaptive automation, especially those with Apple displays who can benefit from XDR unlock features.
BetterDisplay
Free-tier display control with powerful Pro features
brew install --cask betterdisplayBetterDisplay is a popular free (with optional Pro) Mac display utility that covers DDC brightness, resolution/HiDPI management, virtual screens, and XDR-related controls that DisplayBuddy does not emphasize. Many features DisplayBuddy charges for in a paid app are available in BetterDisplay's free tier, though advanced layouts and some pro tools need a paid unlock. Development is active and widely discussed versus DisplayBuddy. The trade-off: a denser UI and a learning curve. For pure brightness keys on a single external panel, Lunar or MonitorControl may feel simpler; for power users who also care about scaled resolutions, BetterDisplay is often the free stack's heavyweight.
Key Features:
- DDC/CI brightness and display controls
- HiDPI and custom resolution tooling
- Virtual screens and advanced layout options
- Free tier with optional Pro license
- Active development community
Limitations:
- • UI denser than DisplayBuddy
- • Some advanced features require Pro
- • Steeper learning curve for casual users
Best for: Power users who want free/deep display control beyond simple brightness sliders
MonitorControl
Free open-source DDC brightness menu bar app
brew install --cask monitorcontrolMonitorControl is a free open-source menu bar app for adjusting external display brightness and volume via DDC/CI. It is the minimal alternative when you just want keyboard brightness keys to drive a Dell, LG, or similar panel. You will not get DisplayBuddy's polished presets, schedules, smart-TV Wi-Fi control, or cross-platform license. For many single-monitor docks, that is fine—and the price is zero.
Key Features:
- DDC brightness and volume control
- Menu bar interface
- Open-source
- Homebrew cask available
- Native Apple Silicon support
Limitations:
- • Fewer presets and automation features
- • No smart-monitor Wi-Fi stack like DisplayBuddy
- • Simpler multi-display scene tools
Best for: Users who only need free brightness/volume control on standard DDC monitors
Which Alternative is Right for You?
Dual-monitor setup with MacBook and external display needing brightness sync
→ Lunar free tier handles this perfectly with DDC hardware control. The Pro Sync Mode learns your preferences and automatically keeps displays matched, but you can achieve the same manually with the free version's 100 daily adjustments.
Using Pro Display XDR or MacBook Pro and want brightness above 500 nits
→ Lunar is the only option here—its free XDR Brightness feature unlocks the full 1600 nits potential of Apple's premium displays. Displaybuddy does not offer XDR unlock functionality.
Cross-platform workflow between Mac and Windows
→ Displaybuddy is the clear winner with native Windows support. Lunar is macOS-only, so you would need separate solutions on each platform.
Simple, occasional brightness adjustments on a budget
→ Lunar free tier is sufficient. 100 adjustments per day equals more than 6 adjustments per waking hour—plenty for casual users who just want to dim their monitor in the evening.
Video calls requiring face lighting in dark rooms
→ Lunar's free FaceLight feature turns any monitor into a bright, warm LED panel for video calls—something Displaybuddy does not offer natively.
Migration Tips
Transferring Display Presets
Displaybuddy presets are proprietary, so you will need to recreate them in Lunar. The good news: Lunar's adaptive modes (Sync, Location, Clock) often eliminate the need for manual presets entirely by automating brightness based on context.
Keyboard Shortcuts Differences
Lunar supports the same brightness keys as Displaybuddy, with additional modifiers. Use Ctrl+Brightness to adjust external monitors separately. You can remap shortcuts in Lunar's settings to match Displaybuddy if muscle memory is an issue.
DDC Troubleshooting
If your monitor stops responding after switching apps, check that only one DDC app is running. Disable Displaybuddy completely before launching Lunar to prevent protocol conflicts. Restart your monitor if DDC becomes unresponsive.
Maximizing Free Tier Limits
Lunar counts adjustments in bursts—you can press brightness up 5 times in 3 seconds and it counts as one adjustment. Enable adaptive modes to reduce manual adjustments entirely, staying well within the 100/day free limit.
XDR Brightness Safety
If using Lunar's XDR unlock on MacBook Pro or Pro Display XDR, monitor the temperature warning icon. macOS has hardcoded thermal limits that will force-reduce brightness before any damage occurs. Avoid keeping XDR active for hours on static white backgrounds.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Displaybuddy | Lunar (Free) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $24.99 one-time | Free (100 adjustments/day) |
| DDC/CI Control | Yes | Yes |
| Adaptive Brightness | Sync mode | Sync, Location, Sensor, Clock modes |
| XDR Brightness | No | Yes (free) |
| Platform | Mac & Windows | Mac only |
| Open Source | No | Yes |
| Presets | Unlimited | Available |
| Siri Integration | Yes | Shortcuts support |
The verdict
Lunar
The free tier delivers hardware-level DDC control and adaptive brightness features that match or exceed Displaybuddy's core functionality. XDR unlock for Apple displays and open-source transparency are compelling bonuses.
Full reviewMonitorControl
If Lunar's 100 adjustment limit is problematic, MonitorControl is a completely free, open-source alternative with no usage restrictions and native macOS integration.
Bottom line
Lunar's free tier replaces Displaybuddy for the vast majority of Mac users. You get hardware brightness control, multiple adaptive modes, and unique features like XDR unlock. Only cross-platform users or those wanting unlimited adjustments without Pro should stick with Displaybuddy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Technologies & Concepts
Sources & References
- 1Lunar Official Website
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 2Lunar GitHub Repository
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 3Displaybuddy Pricing
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 4Displaybuddy vs Lunar Comparison
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 5Homebrew Cask for Lunar
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 6DisplayBuddy official site
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
"$24.99 one-time; free lifetime updates; 7-day refund."
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10BetterDisplay vs DisplayBuddy discussion
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
"Community comparison of free vs paid display control features."
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About the Author
Productivity & Workflow Analyst
Jordan Kim focuses on productivity software, system utilities, and workflow optimization tools. With a background in operations management and process improvement, Jordan evaluates how well applications integrate into daily workflows and enhance overall productivity.