BetterDisplay vs MonitorControl

BetterDisplay

• Controlling an external monitor's brightness, volume and input from the Mac
• Running scaled HiDPI resolutions on external displays
• Headless Macs that need a virtual screen for remote access
• Scripting display changes through the CLI or macOS Shortcuts

MonitorControl

• Mac users whose external monitor ignores the keyboard brightness keys
• Setups with several displays that should dim together
• People who want a free, open-source display utility

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.

MonitorControl

• macOS only. Version 4 runs on macOS 10.15 with limits, has full functionality from macOS 11, and needs v4.4.0 or newer for macOS 27.
• DDC control does not work over the built-in HDMI port of M1 Macs, the 2018 Intel Mac mini or the entry-level M2 Mac mini; USB-C or software dimming is the fallback.
• Most TVs, DisplayLink docks and some displays such as EIZO models get software dimming only, not hardware backlight control.
• XDR and HDR brightness upscaling and support for more Macs and displays are in BetterDisplay, a separate app from the maintainer.

BetterDisplay

DDC monitor control

Changes brightness, volume, contrast, input and power on external monitors over DDC, using sliders, the native keys or custom shortcuts. These controls are in the free feature set.

Flexible HiDPI scaling

Converts built-in and natively connected external displays to flexibly scaled HiDPI screens. The resolution slider is free; flexible scaling needs Pro.

XDR and HDR brightness upscaling

Raises brightness beyond the standard range, up to 1600 nits on XDR displays, with display-dependent boosts on external HDR screens. A Pro feature.

Virtual screens and Picture in Picture

Creates virtual screens with chosen aspect ratios and resolutions, and shows any display in a Picture in Picture window. Basic virtual screens are free; Picture in Picture and streaming need Pro.

Disconnect and configuration protection

Disconnects and reconnects displays without unplugging them, and protects a display's resolution, refresh rate, rotation and color profile from changing. Both need Pro.

CLI, Shortcuts and HTTP integration

Offers a command-line interface, macOS Shortcuts actions, a custom URL scheme and an HTTP interface. Access is free, but operations that change Pro features still need Pro.

MonitorControl

Brightness, volume and contrast

Sliders in the menu bar adjust an external display's backlight, speaker volume and contrast over DDC/CI, which most modern LCD monitors support.

Apple keys and custom shortcuts

The brightness and media keys on Apple keyboards control external displays, or custom shortcuts can be set. Using the Apple keys needs Accessibility permission.

Native on-screen display

Brightness and volume changes show the same on-screen indicator macOS uses for Apple displays.

Hardware and software dimming

Software dimming continues below a display's minimum backlight level, down to full black, with smooth brightness transitions.

Brightness sync

Changes on the built-in or an Apple display, including those from the ambient light sensor, can be copied to other displays, and one slider can drive every screen.

Several control methods

DDC for external displays, Apple's native protocol for Apple and built-in screens, gamma tables for software dimming, and a shade overlay for AirPlay, Sidecar and DisplayLink.

BetterDisplay

• Free$0

  For non-business users: DDC brightness, volume and input control, software dimming, resolution slider, refresh rate selector and basic virtual screens.

• Pro License$21.99

  one-time purchase per license (€19.99), tax may apply

  All Pro features for the current major version on up to two personal Macs, with at least one year of updates including major upgrades.

MonitorControl

• MonitorControl$0

  Brightness, volume and contrast control, native on-screen display, keyboard shortcuts, brightness sync and software dimming. MIT licensed.

BetterDisplay

• Education

  25% student discount via Student App Centre

  The purchase guide says Student App Centre offers 25% off BetterDisplay through its membership, which has a seven-day free trial and then renews as a paid yearly subscription.

• Nonprofit

  Free features open to nonprofits

  The license terms do not treat nonprofits, charities, churches and similar entities as businesses, so they may use the free version without buying Pro.

• Other savings

  Volume licensing for 25 or more computers

  For deployments of 25 or more computers, the vendor asks businesses to contact the developer about volume licensing.

MonitorControl

No public discounts listed.