Best Lunar Alternatives ranked by AI · updated Aug 2026

Lunar is a macOS display manager for controlling brightness, contrast, volume, and monitor behavior. It is aimed at users with multiple monitors who need automation, presets, and sensor-based adjustments.

Developer: Nate Hagerty Price: Freemium, Pro from $20 🎯 lunar.fyi

Top 6 Lunar alternatives

3 MonitorControl logo

MonitorControl

MonitorControl contributors

MonitorControl is an open-source macOS utility for controlling built-in and external display brightness from the keyboard or menu bar. It can use...

Pros

  • Provides keyboard brightness control for external Mac displays
  • Open-source alternative with software-dimming fallback
  • Integrates more closely with macOS than BGLightCE can

Cons

  • Only targets macOS
  • External-display behavior varies by monitor support
  • Not useful on legacy Windows CE hardware
4

Twinkle Tray

Xander Frangos

Twinkle Tray is a Windows utility for controlling the brightness of one or more connected monitors from the system tray. It supports...

Pros

  • Controls multiple external monitors from one tray interface
  • Supports DDC/CI hardware brightness instead of only software dimming
  • Offers keyboard shortcuts, brightness schedules, and customizable controls

Cons

  • Requires compatible DDC/CI support for hardware brightness control
  • Windows-only, with no native macOS or Linux version
  • Some monitors and adapters expose incomplete DDC/CI controls
5

ControlMyMonitor is a Windows utility for reading and changing VCP settings on DDC/CI-compatible monitors. It suits advanced users who need scripting, batch...

Pros

  • Provides direct access to many monitor VCP settings
  • Supports command-line automation and batch control
  • Useful for scripting multi-monitor workflows

Cons

  • Much less convenient for everyday tray-based brightness changes
  • Technical interface has a steeper learning curve than Twinkle Tray
  • Requires compatible DDC/CI monitors and connections
6

BGLightCE

B.G. Soft

BGLightCE is a lightweight backlight-control utility for Windows CE and Windows Mobile devices. It provides quick access to display backlight settings on...

Pros

  • Designed for Windows CE handhelds rather than desktop monitors
  • Small footprint suitable for resource-constrained devices
  • Provides direct access to backlight controls

Cons

  • Appears to be discontinued and difficult to obtain safely
  • Limited to legacy Windows CE and Windows Mobile hardware
  • Far fewer scheduling and color-temperature features than modern tools

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