TL;DR

Looking for free alternatives to DisplayBuddy? Here are the best open source and free options for Mac.

PublishedJanuary 1, 2026•UpdatedAugust 10, 2026

What is the best free alternative to DisplayBuddy?

The best free alternative to DisplayBuddy ($24.99) is Lunar. Install Lunar with Homebrew: brew install --cask lunar.

Free Alternative to DisplayBuddy

Save $24.99 with these 1 free alternatives that work great on macOS.

DisplayBuddy ($24.99)

FREE alternatives below

Our Top Pick

Lunar

FREE

Adaptive brightness for external displays

brew install --cask lunar

View Details Official Website

Why we recommend it:

Completely free to use
Easy one-command installation

Quick Comparison

Comparison of DisplayBuddy and free alternatives
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 lunar

Lunar 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 betterdisplay

BetterDisplay 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 monitorcontrol

MonitorControl 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

Top pick

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 review

Runner-up

MonitorControl

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

Is Lunar completely free or does it require payment?

Lunar offers a generous free tier with 100 brightness/contrast adjustments per day, which is sufficient for most users. The Pro license (around $23 one-time or subscription) unlocks unlimited adjustments, advanced sync modes, and priority support. The core DDC hardware control, XDR brightness, BlackOut, and FaceLight features are available in the free version.

Can Lunar truly replace Displaybuddy for daily use?

For Mac-only users, yes—Lunar actually exceeds Displaybuddy in functionality with features like XDR unlock and more adaptive modes. The limitation is the 100 daily adjustments in the free tier. If you are constantly tweaking brightness all day, you might hit the limit. For typical use (morning/evening adjustments), the free tier is perfectly adequate.

Does Lunar work with all external monitors?

Lunar works with any monitor supporting DDC/CI protocol, which covers most modern displays from Dell, LG, Samsung, ASUS, and others manufactured after 2015. Some budget monitors and most TVs lack DDC support. Lunar also falls back to software dimming (gamma/shade) for incompatible displays, though hardware DDC control is always preferred for quality.

What is XDR Brightness and is it safe to use?

XDR Brightness unlocks the full 1600-nit potential of Pro Display XDR and 2021+ MacBook Pro displays, which Apple artificially caps at 500 nits in macOS. It is generally safe—macOS has thermal safeguards that force-reduce brightness before damage occurs. However, frequent XDR use may slightly reduce LED lifespan over years. The feature is designed for HDR content and brief outdoor visibility, not constant use.

How do I migrate from Displaybuddy to Lunar?

First, uninstall Displaybuddy and restart your Mac to prevent DDC conflicts. Install Lunar via Homebrew with 'brew install --cask lunar'. Launch Lunar and grant accessibility permissions. Your monitor should be detected automatically—test brightness control via the menu bar. Recreate any presets in Lunar or try the adaptive modes which often eliminate the need for manual presets entirely.

Is there a Windows version of Lunar?

No, Lunar is macOS-only. This is a significant limitation if you work across platforms. Displaybuddy's Windows support is a key advantage for cross-platform users. Windows alternatives like Monitorian or ClickMonitorDDC offer similar functionality on Windows.

Why would anyone pay for Displaybuddy when Lunar is free?

Displaybuddy offers a more polished, simpler interface with less configuration required. It also has native Windows support, which Lunar lacks. For users who want zero learning curve, need cross-platform consistency, or prefer supporting a commercial product with dedicated support, Displaybuddy's $24.99 price may be justified.

Does Lunar collect any data or require internet access?

Lunar is privacy-focused and works entirely offline. Location Mode requires location permissions for sun position calculation, but no data is sent to external servers. The app is open-source, so the code can be audited for privacy. The free tier has no telemetry or ads.

Related Technologies & Concepts

DisplaybuddyLunarDDC/CIXDR BrightnessAdaptive BrightnessExternal MonitorDisplayBuddyBetterDisplayMonitorControl

Sources & References

1
lunar.fyiLunar Official Website
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
2
github.comLunar GitHub Repository
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
3
displaybuddy.appDisplaybuddy Pricing
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
4
displaybuddy.appDisplaybuddy vs Lunar Comparison
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
5
formulae.brew.shHomebrew Cask for Lunar
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
6
displaybuddy.appDisplayBuddy official site
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
Source excerpt
$24.99 one-time; free lifetime updates; 7-day refund.
7
displaybuddy.appDisplayBuddy release notes
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
Source excerpt
Major version updates free for existing licenses.
8
github.comBetterDisplay
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
Source excerpt
Popular free/pro Mac display utility.
9
github.comMonitorControl
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
Source excerpt
Open-source DDC monitor control for macOS.
10
github.comBetterDisplay vs DisplayBuddy discussion
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
Source excerpt
Community comparison of free vs paid display control features.

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About the Author

Jordan Kim

Productivity & Workflow Analyst

Productivity ApplicationsNote-Taking & Knowledge ManagementTask & Project Management

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.

8+ years in operations management · PMP certified