Alternatives · Utilities
BetterDisplay alternatives
BetterDisplay compared with 6 alternatives: MonitorControl, f.lux, Twinkle Tray, DisplayFusion, SoundSource and 1 more.
BetterDisplay has a free plan. Paid plans start at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply). 4 of the 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.
6 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetterDisplayThis tool | Free plan · from $21.99 one-time | Yes | macOS |
| MonitorControl | Free | Free | macOS |
| f.lux | Free plan · from $24 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Twinkle Tray | Free | Free | Windows |
| DisplayFusion | Free plan · from $34 one-time | Yes | Windows |
| SoundSource | Free trial · from $49 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| HazeOver | Free trial · from $4.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
How each one differs from BetterDisplay
- Free
MonitorControl
Free, open-source brightness and volume control for Mac displays
- MonitorControl is free. BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
- MonitorControl is open source, according to its own site.
- BetterDisplay can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Mac users whose external monitor ignores the keyboard brightness keys
- Free plan · from $24 one-time
f.lux
Warms your screen's color at night to match the time of day
- f.lux starts at $24 per device, one-time (Windows Corporate Edition). BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
- Only f.lux lists Windows and Linux apps.
- BetterDisplay can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: People who use a computer in the evening and want a warmer screen
- Free
Twinkle Tray
Free brightness sliders for external monitors on Windows
- Twinkle Tray is free. BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
- Only Twinkle Tray lists a Windows app.
- Only BetterDisplay lists a macOS app.
- Twinkle Tray is open source, according to its own site.
- BetterDisplay can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Windows desktop users who want to dim external monitors from the taskbar
- Free plan · from $34 one-time
DisplayFusion
Multi-monitor taskbars, wallpaper and window control for Windows
- DisplayFusion starts at $34 one-time purchase per machine (Pro Standard, lifetime license). BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
- Only DisplayFusion lists a Windows app.
- Only BetterDisplay lists a macOS app.
- DisplayFusion also covers window management.
- BetterDisplay also covers menu bar app.
Suits: Windows users working across two or more monitors
- Free trial · from $49 one-time
SoundSource
Per-app volume, output routing and audio effects for the Mac
- SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase. BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
- BetterDisplay has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
- BetterDisplay also covers display control.
Suits: Mac users who want a separate volume level for each app
- Free trial · from $4.99 one-time
HazeOver
Mac utility that dims every window except the active one
- HazeOver starts at $4.99 one-time purchase. BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
- BetterDisplay has a free plan. HazeOver does not, though it has a free trial.
- BetterDisplay also covers display control.
Suits: Large or multiple displays, where the active window is easy to lose
Limits worth knowing in BetterDisplay
- macOS only. The current v5 release requires macOS 26.3 or later; older releases for earlier macOS versions are still listed for download.
- Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR and HDR upscaling, Picture in Picture and display disconnection all need the $21.99 Pro license.
- Businesses must buy a Pro license to use any feature, free or Pro, beyond the 14-day trial.
- A license covers the current major version plus at least one year of updates; a later major version may need a new or upgrade license.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to BetterDisplay?
The alternatives to BetterDisplay in this directory are MonitorControl, f.lux, Twinkle Tray, DisplayFusion, SoundSource and HazeOver. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with BetterDisplay.
Is there a free alternative to BetterDisplay?
Yes. MonitorControl and Twinkle Tray are free to use. f.lux and DisplayFusion have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which BetterDisplay alternatives work on Windows?
The BetterDisplay listing does not include a Windows app. f.lux, Twinkle Tray and DisplayFusion list one.
Which BetterDisplay alternatives work on Linux?
The BetterDisplay listing does not include a Linux app. f.lux lists one.
Is there an open-source alternative to BetterDisplay?
MonitorControl and Twinkle Tray are described as open source on their own sites.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 6, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
Keep reading
- +2Best of
The best Mac utilities in 2026
Six utilities that make a Mac quicker to work on: two launchers, a window manager, a clipboard manager, a text expander and a subscription that bundles hundreds of apps. Each pick says what it does, what it costs and where else it runs.
6 tools · Updated October 2026
