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BetterDisplay alternatives · Utilities

Open-source alternatives to BetterDisplay

BetterDisplay is not described as open source on its own site. 37 of the 93 other desktop utilities in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

BetterDisplay has a free plan. Paid plans start at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply). 36 of them are free or have a free plan.

37 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to BetterDisplay

  1. 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.
    MonitorControl vs BetterDisplayMonitorControl pricing and details

  2. 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.
    Twinkle Tray vs BetterDisplayTwinkle Tray pricing and details

  3. Karabiner-Elements

    Free, open-source keyboard customizer for macOS

    • Karabiner-Elements is free. BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
    • Karabiner-Elements is open source, according to its own site.
    • BetterDisplay can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Karabiner-Elements also covers keyboard and mouse remapping.
    Karabiner-Elements pricing and details

  4. Maccy

    Lightweight, open-source clipboard manager for macOS

    • Maccy starts at $4.99 or more, pay what you want (website download via Gumroad). BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
    • Maccy is open source, according to its own site.
    • BetterDisplay can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Maccy also covers clipboard manager.
    Maccy pricing and details

  5. Stats

    Free, open-source system monitor for the Mac menu bar

    • Stats is free. BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
    • Stats is open source, according to its own site.
    • BetterDisplay can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Stats also covers system monitor.
    Stats pricing and details

  6. AltTab

    Windows-style window switcher for macOS, free and open source

    • AltTab starts at $9.99 one-time purchase (AltTab Pro). BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
    • AltTab is open source, according to its own site.
    • AltTab also covers window management.
    • BetterDisplay also covers menu bar app and display control.
    AltTab pricing and details

  7. Thaw

    Free, open-source menu bar manager for macOS

    • Thaw is free. BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
    • Thaw is open source, according to its own site.
    • BetterDisplay can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • BetterDisplay also covers display control.
    Thaw pricing and details

  8. Hidden Bar

    Free, open-source utility that hides macOS menu bar icons

    • Hidden Bar is free. BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
    • Hidden Bar is open source, according to its own site.
    • BetterDisplay can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • BetterDisplay also covers display control.
    Hidden Bar pricing and details

  9. Mac Mouse Fix

    Trackpad-style gestures and smooth scrolling for third-party mice

    • Mac Mouse Fix starts at $2.99 one-time purchase, plus local taxes. BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
    • BetterDisplay has a free plan. Mac Mouse Fix does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Mac Mouse Fix is open source, according to its own site.
    • Mac Mouse Fix also covers keyboard and mouse remapping.
    Mac Mouse Fix pricing and details

  10. SwiftBar

    Open-source tool that puts script output in the Mac menu bar

    • SwiftBar is free. BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
    • SwiftBar is open source, according to its own site.
    • BetterDisplay can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • BetterDisplay also covers display control.
    SwiftBar pricing and details

  11. boring.notch

    Turns the MacBook notch into a music player and file shelf

    • boring.notch is free. BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
    • boring.notch is open source, according to its own site.
    • BetterDisplay can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • BetterDisplay also covers display control.
    boring.notch pricing and details

  12. EarTrumpet

    Per-app volume mixer for the Windows system tray

    • EarTrumpet is free. BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
    • Only EarTrumpet lists a Windows app.
    • Only BetterDisplay lists a macOS app.
    • EarTrumpet is open source, according to its own site.
    EarTrumpet pricing and details

25 more that are open source

All 37 in one table

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to BetterDisplay?

Yes. MonitorControl, Twinkle Tray, Karabiner-Elements, Maccy, Stats, AltTab, Thaw, Hidden Bar and 29 more are open source, according to their own sites.

Is BetterDisplay open source?

BetterDisplay is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 6, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these desktop utilities are free?

MonitorControl, Twinkle Tray, Karabiner-Elements, Maccy, Stats, AltTab, Thaw, Hidden Bar and 28 more are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to BetterDisplay: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.