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f.lux alternatives · Utilities

Alternatives to f.lux with a one-time purchase

The f.lux listing shows no one-time purchase. 47 of the 96 other desktop utilities in this directory can be bought with a one-time purchase.

f.lux has a free plan. Paid plans start at $24 per device, one-time (Windows Corporate Edition). 17 of them are free or have a free plan.

47 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to f.lux

  1. BetterDisplay

    Display scaling, brightness and DDC control for Mac

    • BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply). f.lux starts at $24 per device, one-time (Windows Corporate Edition).
    • Only f.lux lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • BetterDisplay can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    BetterDisplay vs f.luxBetterDisplay pricing and details

  2. Lunar

    Mac app that sets external monitor brightness over DDC

    • Lunar starts at $23 one-time. f.lux starts at $24 per device, one-time (Windows Corporate Edition).
    • Only f.lux lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Lunar can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Lunar vs f.luxLunar pricing and details

  3. CleanMyMac

    Mac cleanup, malware removal and maintenance in one app

    • CleanMyMac starts at $39.99 / year on the US Mac App Store (MacPaw's site: from $3.33 / month). f.lux starts at $24 per device, one-time (Windows Corporate Edition).
    • f.lux has a free plan. CleanMyMac does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only f.lux lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • CleanMyMac can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    CleanMyMac pricing and details

  4. Bartender

    Menu bar manager for macOS that hides and organizes items

    • Bartender starts at $19.99 / year (Bartender Pro) or $24.99 one-time (Bartender 7). f.lux starts at $24 per device, one-time (Windows Corporate Edition).
    • f.lux has a free plan. Bartender does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only f.lux lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Bartender can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Bartender pricing and details

  5. iStat Menus

    System monitor that lives in the Mac menu bar

    • iStat Menus starts at $11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes. f.lux starts at $24 per device, one-time (Windows Corporate Edition).
    • f.lux has a free plan. iStat Menus does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only f.lux lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • iStat Menus can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    iStat Menus pricing and details

  6. PopClip

    Pop-up bar of text actions when you select text on a Mac

    • PopClip starts at $12 one-time purchase (Standard License, 2 years of updates). f.lux starts at $24 per device, one-time (Windows Corporate Edition).
    • f.lux has a free plan. PopClip does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only f.lux lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • PopClip can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    PopClip pricing and details

  7. AlDente

    Charge limiter and battery care app for MacBooks

    • AlDente starts at $13.99 / year, or $24.99 one-time for a lifetime license. f.lux starts at $24 per device, one-time (Windows Corporate Edition).
    • Only f.lux lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • AlDente can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • AlDente also covers system monitor.
    AlDente pricing and details

  8. SoundSource

    Per-app volume, output routing and audio effects for the Mac

    • SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase. f.lux starts at $24 per device, one-time (Windows Corporate Edition).
    • f.lux has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only f.lux lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • SoundSource can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    SoundSource pricing and details

  9. CopyClip

    Text-only clipboard manager for the Mac menu bar

    • CopyClip starts at $7.99 one-time purchase (CopyClip 2, US Mac App Store). f.lux starts at $24 per device, one-time (Windows Corporate Edition).
    • Only f.lux lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • CopyClip can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • CopyClip also covers clipboard manager.
    CopyClip pricing and details

  10. Dropzone

    Drag-and-drop action grid and file shelf for the Mac menu bar

    • Dropzone starts at $4.99 / month or $19.99 / year (Mac App Store), or $35 one-time direct. f.lux starts at $24 per device, one-time (Windows Corporate Edition).
    • Only f.lux lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Dropzone can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Dropzone also covers file sharing and file management.
    Dropzone pricing and details

  11. Default Folder X

    Faster Open and Save dialogs and folder access on the Mac

    • Default Folder X starts at $39.95 one-time purchase (single-user license). f.lux starts at $24 per device, one-time (Windows Corporate Edition).
    • f.lux has a free plan. Default Folder X does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only f.lux lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Default Folder X can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Default Folder X pricing and details

  12. Velja

    Mac browser picker that routes links to a browser, profile or app

    • Velja starts at $10 one-time purchase. f.lux starts at $24 per device, one-time (Windows Corporate Edition).
    • f.lux has a free plan. Velja does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Velja lists a browser extension.
    • Only f.lux lists Windows and Linux apps.
    Velja pricing and details

35 more that can be bought with a one-time purchase

All 47 in one table

Common questions

Is there an alternative to f.lux that you buy once?

Yes. BetterDisplay, Lunar, CleanMyMac, Bartender, iStat Menus, PopClip, AlDente, SoundSource and 39 more can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Can you buy f.lux once instead of subscribing?

The f.lux listing shows no one-time purchase. The listing was checked on Oct 6, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these desktop utilities are free?

BetterDisplay, Lunar, AlDente, CopyClip, Dropzone, Macs Fan Control, Shottr, PhraseExpress and 9 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 Nov 12, 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 f.lux: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.