Monitor Switch vs MonitorControl
Monitor Switch
github.comMonitorControl
monitorcontrol.appSide by side
| Figure | Monitor Switch | MonitorControl |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Monitor Control Software | 8.0 (#6) | 7.1 (#20) |
| Controls | It can control input source, brightness, contrast, volume, mute, picture mode, colour temperature, RGB gain and black level when the monitor exposes them. | The app can control brightness, volume and contrast, and supports smooth brightness transitions and dimming to full black. |
| Purpose | Monitor Switch changes a monitor’s input source using DDC/CI, controlled through HTTP, a web UI, or Home Assistant. | MonitorControl controls external display brightness and volume on a Mac and shows native macOS on-screen displays. |
Plans
In their own words
Monitor Switch
Monitor Switch is an MIT-licensed service for switching a monitor’s input and controlling its DDC/CI features through a browser interface, HTTP API, scripts, or Home Assistant. It is designed for people who use one monitor with multiple computers, including when the computer currently displayed is asleep or off. Where a monitor exposes the controls, the service can adjust brightness, contrast, volume, mute, picture mode, colour temperature, RGB gain, and black level. It can also read usage hours, firmware level, refresh rates, and power state. Editable profiles set monitor values and can replace incorrect capability detection. For Home Assistant, MQTT discovery presents profile features as entities such as selectors, sliders, and sensors. The service runs on a Raspberry Pi connected to the monitor by HDMI; setup requires Raspberry Pi OS and SSH, and installation uses an Ansible playbook. The project is described as usable but not yet released. Hardware verification is reported only for a Samsung Odyssey G9 with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W; other monitors have not been verified.
MonitorControl
MonitorControl is a free macOS app for controlling external display brightness, volume, and contrast while showing native macOS on-screen displays. It supports DDC on external monitors, Apple protocols on Apple and built-in displays, gamma-table dimming, and shade control for AirPlay, Sidecar, DisplayLink, and other virtual screens. Brightness can transition smoothly or dim to full black. Standard Apple brightness and media keys work, and custom shortcuts are available. Multiple displays can be synchronized with one slider or shortcuts, including copying brightness changes from built-in or Apple displays to non-Apple screens. Dozens of customization options are provided, with more under “Show advanced settings.” MonitorControl is free, with no trial, and runs on macOS. Version 4.0.0 lists Catalina 10.15 as its baseline; full functionality is available on macOS 11 Big Sur or newer. The latest listed release is v4.4.0.