BetterDisplay vs SoundSource

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

SoundSource

• Mac users who want a separate volume level for each app
• Sending one app's sound to different speakers or AirPlay devices than the rest
• People who want an equalizer or Audio Unit effects on all Mac audio

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.

SoundSource

• macOS only. SoundSource 6 runs on macOS 15 to 27; older systems need a legacy download.
• There is no free version. In trial mode, noise is overlaid on adjusted audio after 20 minutes until the app is relaunched.
• A license covers the current major version; owners of SoundSource 4 or 5 pay $25 to upgrade to version 6.
• Refunds must be requested within 14 days of purchase and are issued case by case.

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.

SoundSource

Per-app volume control

Sets the volume of each application relative to the others from one list, or mutes an app entirely.

Per-app output routing

Sends an individual app to a chosen output device, for example music to external speakers while everything else plays through the Mac's built-in output.

Audio effects

A built-in 10-band equalizer, Volume Overdrive, Magic Boost and Headphone EQ, plus Audio Unit plugins, applied to a single app or to all system audio.

AirPlay and output groups

Streams one app or all audio to AirPlay devices such as HomePods, Apple TVs and Sonos speakers. Output groups play to several devices at once.

System devices and volume keys

Volume, balance, input level and sample rate for the output, input and sound-effects devices. Super Volume Keys make the keyboard volume keys work with HDMI and DisplayPort outputs.

Shortcuts and Quick Configs

Actions for the Shortcuts app automate audio changes, and Quick Configs save a whole setup of devices, volumes and effects to switch to in one click.

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.

SoundSource

• SoundSource License Key$49

  one-time purchase, per user (USD; local taxes may apply)

  Unlocks the current version, SoundSource 6, for a single user on one or more personally owned Macs.

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.

SoundSource

• Education

  Academic discount for students and educators

  Rogue Amoeba gives an academic discount to students, educators and others affiliated with academia who enter a school email address. The page does not state the amount.

• Other savings

  $25 upgrade from SoundSource 4 or 5

  Owners of a SoundSource 5 or SoundSource 4 license can upgrade to SoundSource 6 for $25 instead of the $49 full price.

• Other savings

  50% off for Airfoil owners

  People who own an Airfoil license get 50% off when they move to SoundSource, applied after entering the Airfoil license key.

• Other savings

  Entire Rogue Amoeba Lineup bundle

  The deals page offers a discounted bundle of every Rogue Amoeba product, SoundSource included, and says mailing-list members receive exclusive discounts.