# Free Alternative to DisplayBuddy Published January 1, 2026 · Updated August 10, 2026 The best free alternative to DisplayBuddy ($24.99) is Lunar. Install it with: `brew install --cask lunar`. ## 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. ## Free alternatives 1. [Lunar](https://bundl.run/apps/lunar) — Adaptive brightness for external displays `brew install --cask lunar` ## Verdict 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. ## FAQ ### 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. ## Sources - [Lunar Official Website](https://lunar.fyi/) - [Lunar GitHub Repository](https://github.com/alin23/Lunar) - [Displaybuddy Pricing](https://displaybuddy.app/pricing) - [Displaybuddy vs Lunar Comparison](https://displaybuddy.app/displaybuddy-vs-lunar) - [Homebrew Cask for Lunar](https://formulae.brew.sh/cask/lunar) - [DisplayBuddy official site](https://displaybuddy.app/) - [DisplayBuddy release notes](https://displaybuddy.app/release-notes) - [BetterDisplay](https://github.com/waydabber/BetterDisplay) - [MonitorControl](https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl) - [BetterDisplay vs DisplayBuddy discussion](https://github.com/waydabber/BetterDisplay/discussions/2594) ## Related - [Lunar vs BetterDisplay](https://bundl.run/compare/betterdisplay-vs-lunar) - [Lunar vs MonitorControl](https://bundl.run/compare/monitorcontrol-vs-lunar) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization", "name": "Bundl.run", "url": "https://bundl.run", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bundl.run/og-image.png", "width": 1200, "height": 630 }, "description": "The Ninite for Mac. 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