DisplayBuddy vs m1ddc

DisplayBuddy controls supported external monitor settings from a Mac menu bar or Windows taskbar. Depending on the display, it can adjust brightness, contrast, speaker volume, input source, resolution, and rotation. The Mac app uses DDC for hardware control and can use gamma dimming when a monitor does not respond. The maker says it also controls supported LG webOS and Samsung Tizen smart monitors over Wi-Fi. Users can save presets and synchronize brightness across displays. On Mac, presets can be scheduled by sunrise, sunset, time of day, charger state, or connected display; the app also supports Shortcuts, Siri, a command-line interface, and MCP. The Windows app supports Windows 10 and 11, with presets, hotkeys, input switching, and resolution and refresh-rate controls. Personal costs $24.99, paid once for one Mac, Pro costs $29.99, paid once for up to two Macs, and Family costs $49.99, paid once for up to five Macs; each includes lifetime access. There is no free plan, but a 7-day trial is available. Core controls work offline after internet-based license activation.

m1ddc is a free command-line tool for controlling external displays from Apple Silicon Macs. Through DDC/CI, it can set or read luminance, contrast, RGB gain, volume, mute, and input source when a display supports those controls. Supported connections include USB-C, DisplayPort Alt Mode, and compatible built-in HDMI ports. Certain Dell displays also expose PIP, PBP, and KVM configuration. The command-line interface is intended for scripts, and the project links to a Hammerspoon example. A Raycast Display Input Switcher extension is also linked, although it does not cover every m1ddc feature. The tool is available for macOS on Apple Silicon and does not support Intel Macs. Building requires clang from Apple’s Command Line Tools; the README says those tools install automatically if absent. The repository includes an MIT License. Display behavior depends on the connected monitor’s supported controls.