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MonitorControl alternatives · Utilities

Alternatives to MonitorControl with a one-time purchase

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

MonitorControl is free to use. 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 MonitorControl

  1. BetterDisplay

    Display scaling, brightness and DDC control for Mac

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

  2. Lunar

    Mac app that sets external monitor brightness over DDC

    • Lunar starts at $23 one-time. MonitorControl is free.
    • Lunar can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • MonitorControl is open source, according to its own site.
    Lunar vs MonitorControlLunar pricing and details

  3. SoundSource

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

    • SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase. MonitorControl is free.
    • MonitorControl has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
    • SoundSource can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • MonitorControl is open source, according to its own site.
    SoundSource vs MonitorControlSoundSource pricing and details

  4. 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). MonitorControl is free.
    • MonitorControl has a free plan. CleanMyMac does not, though it has a free trial.
    • CleanMyMac can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • MonitorControl is open source, according to its own site.
    CleanMyMac pricing and details

  5. 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). MonitorControl is free.
    • MonitorControl has a free plan. Bartender does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Bartender can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • MonitorControl is open source, according to its own site.
    Bartender pricing and details

  6. 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. MonitorControl is free.
    • MonitorControl has a free plan. iStat Menus does not, though it has a free trial.
    • iStat Menus can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • MonitorControl is open source, according to its own site.
    iStat Menus pricing and details

  7. 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). MonitorControl is free.
    • MonitorControl has a free plan. PopClip does not, though it has a free trial.
    • PopClip can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • MonitorControl is open source, according to its own site.
    PopClip pricing and details

  8. AlDente

    Charge limiter and battery care app for MacBooks

    • AlDente starts at $13.99 / year, or $24.99 one-time for a lifetime license. MonitorControl is free.
    • AlDente can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • MonitorControl is open source, according to its own site.
    • AlDente also covers system monitor.
    AlDente 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). MonitorControl is free.
    • CopyClip can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • MonitorControl is open source, according to its own site.
    • 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. MonitorControl is free.
    • Dropzone can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • MonitorControl is open source, according to its own site.
    • 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). MonitorControl is free.
    • MonitorControl has a free plan. Default Folder X does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Default Folder X can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • MonitorControl is open source, according to its own site.
    Default Folder X pricing and details

  12. 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. MonitorControl is free.
    • MonitorControl has a free plan. Mac Mouse Fix does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Mac Mouse Fix can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Mac Mouse Fix also covers keyboard and mouse remapping.
    Mac Mouse Fix 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 MonitorControl that you buy once?

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

Can you buy MonitorControl once instead of subscribing?

The MonitorControl listing shows no one-time purchase. The listing was checked on Oct 9, 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 MonitorControl: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.