BetterDisplay
Sharp scaling and full control for any Mac display
The verdict
MonitorControl gives an external monitor working brightness keys for free, and BetterDisplay's free version does the same plus volume, dimming to black and virtual screens. The $21.99 Pro license adds HiDPI scaling, the fix for fuzzy text on non-Apple monitors, and can push an XDR MacBook Pro screen to 1600 nits. If brightness is all you want, MonitorControl or Lunar is simpler.
Get it if
You plug a MacBook into a non-Apple monitor every day and the text looks soft.
Skip it if
You work on the built-in screen or an Apple display, which macOS already renders sharply.
Screenshots 2
What it helps you do
- Run sharp HiDPI resolutions on any monitor
- Change monitor brightness with your Mac's keys
- Brighten an XDR screen past its usual limit
- Create a virtual screen at any resolution
Plans and prices
Free
FreeFree, with monitor brightness and volume control, dimming to black, the resolution slider and virtual screens
Pro
$21.99$21.99 once, a perpetual license with at least 1 year of updates, adding HiDPI scaling, XDR and HDR brightness upscaling, Picture in Picture and advanced display syncing
What changed
Version 5.2.1
Added to The Useful Apps
Pick something else if
MonitorControlPick this if you only want your keyboard's brightness and volume keys to work on an external monitor.Free, open source
LunarPick it if you want your external monitor's brightness to follow your MacBook's screen automatically.Free to start
PresentifyPick it if you share your screen on calls or record how-to videos and want people to see exactly where to look.$14.99 once
BetterDisplay head to head
The details
- Runs on
- Mac
- Version
- 5.2.1
- Menu bar app
- Lives in the menu bar
- Shortcuts
- Works with the Shortcuts app
- Free trial
- Try the paid version first
Developer's websiteSpot a wrong price or fact?