BetterDisplay vs Lunar
BetterDisplay
betterdisplay.pro
Lunar
lunar.fyiSide by side
| Figure | BetterDisplay | Lunar |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Monitor Control Software | 8.1 (#5) | 7.9 (#8) |
| Automation | Integrations include macOS Shortcuts, a command-line interface, custom URLs, HTTP, notifications, and scripts. | Lunar integrates with macOS Shortcuts and includes a command-line interface for controlling and automating monitors. |
| Privacy | Licensing uses Paddle, crash detection and log collection use Sentry, and the privacy policy says users can disable crash reporting, licensing features, and automatic update checks. | Lunar says it does not collect, store, or sell user identifiable or behavioral data, but it collects anonymous monitor data and uses Sentry for crash reporting. |
| Support | Community help is available through GitHub Issues, Discussions, and Discord; support is voluntary and a license does not guarantee personalized support. | Users can contact the developer through a web form, and the contact page directs license delivery issues to the Discord server. |
| What it does | BetterDisplay manages Mac display settings, including brightness, resolution, color, and display connections. | Lunar is a macOS app for controlling monitors, including external monitor brightness. |
Plans
In their own words
BetterDisplay
BetterDisplay is a macOS app for managing display brightness, resolution, color, and connections. It can provide flexible HiDPI scaling for internal and natively connected external displays, and create virtual screens with different aspect ratios and resolutions. XDR and HDR brightness upscaling is available, though support depends on the Mac and display. Picture in Picture windows can show physical displays or virtual screens, and the app can capture selected windows or groups. Compatible connections support DDC hardware control and HDMI-CEC; network control is listed for LG webOS, Samsung Tizen, Philips Android TV, and Yamaha AVR. Automation options include macOS Shortcuts, command-line access, custom URLs, HTTP, notifications, and scripts. The app is free for non-business users after the 14-day trial, but Pro features require a license. BetterDisplay Pro costs $21.99, paid once for a perpetual license for covered versions and includes at least one year of updates. Businesses need a Pro license after the trial even for free functionality. Compatibility varies with the Mac, macOS version, display, and connection.
Lunar
Lunar is a macOS app for controlling monitors, including external monitor brightness, volume and input. On compatible monitors it uses DDC to send brightness and input commands directly. Manual Mode provides hotkeys for external-monitor adjustments, while Sync Mode copies the MacBook’s adaptive brightness changes to external displays. Sensor Mode adjusts brightness and contrast using an external ambient light sensor; Location Mode responds to the sun’s position. Clock Mode schedules changes by time or by sunrise, noon or sunset. Pro features include XDR Brightness, sub-zero dimming, Auto BlackOut, BlackOut and FaceLight. Lunar also works with macOS Shortcuts and includes a command-line interface for monitor automation. It supports macOS 11 and later and runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel. When DDC is unavailable, Gamma can dim a display but cannot change its volume or input. The free version permits 100 Manual Mode adjustments and 100 Shortcuts action calls per day. Lunar Pro costs $23.00 USD as a lifetime license.