BetterDisplay
Display scaling, brightness and DDC control for Mac
What is BetterDisplay?
BetterDisplay is a macOS menu bar utility from Kodeon Software for managing built-in and external displays. Its free features cover DDC brightness, volume and input control, software dimming, resolution and refresh rate selection, and basic virtual screens. A one-time Pro license adds flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR and HDR brightness upscaling, Picture in Picture and display disconnection. Businesses need a Pro license to keep using it after the 14-day trial.
BetterDisplay has a free plan. Paid plans start at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply). See every plan
Good for
- 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
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- 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.
BetterDisplay pricing
- Starts at
- $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply)
- Free plan
- Non-business users keep the free features after the trial: DDC brightness, volume and input control, software dimming, the resolution slider and basic virtual screens. The terms say there are no purchase pop-ups or ads.
- Free trial
- 14-day trial with all Pro features unlocked
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | $21.99one-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. |
Read from betterdisplay.pro on Oct 6, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with BetterDisplay before you buy.
Ways to pay less
- Education25% 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.
Stated on betterdisplay.pro - NonprofitFree 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.
Stated on betterdisplay.pro - Other savingsVolume licensing for 25 or more computers
For deployments of 25 or more computers, the vendor asks businesses to contact the developer about volume licensing.
Stated on betterdisplay.pro
Works with
- Apple Shortcuts
- LG webOS TV
- Samsung Tizen TV
- Philips Android TV
- Yamaha AVR
- DisplayLink
BetterDisplay alternatives
- BetterDisplay vs f.lux
Free plan · from $24 one-time
- BetterDisplay vs DisplayFusion
Free plan · from $34 one-time
Common questions
Is BetterDisplay free?
BetterDisplay has a free plan. Non-business users keep the free features after the trial: DDC brightness, volume and input control, software dimming, the resolution slider and basic virtual screens. The terms say there are no purchase pop-ups or ads. Paid plans start at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply).
How much does BetterDisplay cost?
BetterDisplay lists 2 plans. Free: $0. Pro License: $21.99 one-time purchase per license (€19.99), tax may apply. Prices were read from betterdisplay.pro on Oct 6, 2026.
What platforms does BetterDisplay work on?
BetterDisplay is available on macOS.
Does BetterDisplay offer any discounts?
BetterDisplay publicly lists the following: 25% student discount via Student App Centre; Free features open to nonprofits; Volume licensing for 25 or more computers.
Does BetterDisplay have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. BetterDisplay is listed for macOS.
Does BetterDisplay have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. BetterDisplay is listed for macOS.
Is BetterDisplay open source?
BetterDisplay is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
What does BetterDisplay integrate with?
BetterDisplay's listing names Apple Shortcuts, LG webOS TV, Samsung Tizen TV, Philips Android TV, Yamaha AVR and DisplayLink. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does BetterDisplay have a student discount?
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.
Does BetterDisplay have a free trial?
Yes. 14-day trial with all Pro features unlocked.
Who makes BetterDisplay?
BetterDisplay is made by Kodeon Software.
What are the alternatives to BetterDisplay?
The closest alternatives to BetterDisplay in our directory are MonitorControl, f.lux, Twinkle Tray and DisplayFusion. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with BetterDisplay.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 6, 2026.