MonitorControl
Control external display brightness and volume from Mac keyboard, free and open source.
Quick facts
- Price model
- Open source
- Starting price
- Free
- Best for
- Docked MacBooks · Ultrawide office setups · Night brightness dimming
- Replaces
- Lunar Pro, Paid display control apps, Reaching monitor buttons
- Platforms
- Mac
- Last verified
- 2026-06-22
Why it's listed
Solves a daily hardware annoyance the Mac should handle natively but often does not.
MonitorControl drives DDC/CI on external monitors so brightness keys work like on a built-in display. Essential for MacBook dock setups, without paid display utility subscriptions.
The catch
Not every monitor supports DDC; some need cable or hub experimentation.
Good fit for
- Desk workers with external displays
Not ideal for
- Single built-in laptop screen only
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