ExtLume vs Lunar
ExtLume
github.com
Lunar
lunar.fyiSide by side
| Figure | ExtLume | Lunar |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Monitor Control Software | 7.4 (#15) | 7.9 (#8) |
| Privacy | ExtLume says it works offline with no telemetry, analytics, crash upload, update check, account, cloud synchronization, advertising identifier, or network request. | 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 | The maker directs users to GitHub Issues for general troubleshooting and recommends including app, Windows, laptop or GPU, monitor, connection path, control mode, and expected-versus-actual result in compatibility reports. | Users can contact the developer through a web form, and the contact page directs license delivery issues to the Discord server. |
Plans
In their own words
ExtLume
ExtLume is a Windows tray app for adjusting external-monitor brightness when Windows provides a brightness control only for the laptop panel. It offers a separate slider for each safely identified active external display and shows its EDID model name. When the monitor and the full cable or dock chain support DDC/CI, the app changes the physical backlight. If that is unavailable, it can use a click-through dimming overlay on a safely isolated external desktop area; this changes the image but not backlight power. ExtLume handles multiple displays, mirrored groups, hot-plugging, and resume, while excluding built-in panels and virtual displays. It targets Windows 10 and Windows 11 and requires .NET Framework 4.8. The free, MIT-licensed public beta is available from GitHub Releases as a per-user installer or portable ZIP and requires no administrator rights. ExtLume says it works offline without telemetry or network requests. It stores limited local monitor and dimming data, and its controls are limited to brightness rather than arbitrary VCP commands, resets, or automatic display substitution.
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.