BetterDisplay
BetterDisplay is a macOS app for adjusting display behavior, including brightness, resolution, color, and connections.
What BetterDisplay is
BetterDisplay is a macOS app for adjusting display behavior, including brightness, resolution, color, and connections. It can provide flexible HiDPI scaling for built-in and natively connected external displays, and offers HDR or XDR brightness upscaling where the Mac and display support it. Users can create virtual screens with chosen aspect ratios and resolutions, subject to hardware requirements for HDR and high refresh rates. Picture in Picture windows can show physical displays or virtual screens, and the app can capture selected windows or groups. Compatible connections can use DDC hardware and HDMI-CEC controls, while network controls are listed for several TV platforms and Yamaha AVR. Automation options include macOS Shortcuts, command-line access, custom URLs, HTTP, notifications, and scripts. Non-business users can keep using free functionality after the 14-day trial; Pro features require a license. BetterDisplay Pro is listed at $21.99, paid once for covered versions, with at least one year of updates. Businesses need a Pro license after the trial even for free features. Compatibility varies by Mac, macOS, display, and connection.
Good
- Adjusts brightness, resolution, color, and connections.
- Creates virtual screens with chosen aspect ratios.
- Includes Picture in Picture and window capture.
- Supports automation through Shortcuts, CLI, and scripts.
- Free functionality remains for non-business users after trial.
Watch out
- Businesses need a Pro license after the trial.
- Feature availability depends on Mac, display, and connection.
- Personalized support is not guaranteed with a license.
- No monitor profiles or settings scheduling.
Who it suits
BetterDisplay suits Mac users who want more control over display scaling, virtual screens, or compatible monitor controls. Businesses should account for the license requirement after the trial, including for free functionality.
Verdict
BetterDisplay offers a broad set of display and automation controls, but hardware compatibility affects what is available. Its licensing differs for business and non-business users, so check those terms along with the relevant Mac and display requirements.
Plans and prices
From BetterDisplay's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| BetterDisplay Pro | $21.99, paid once | Unlocks Pro features for covered major app versions · Business users need a license to continue after trial · Perpetual license for covered versions; includes at least one year of updates. |
The facts
Each one read from BetterDisplay's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Automation
- Integrations include macOS Shortcuts, a command-line interface, custom URLs, HTTP, notifications, and scripts.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Business licensing
- Businesses are required to purchase a Pro license to use any app functionality beyond the trial, including free features.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limits
- Feature availability depends on the Mac, macOS version, display, and connection, and the developer does not guarantee compatibility with every hardware or software configuration.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Display controls
- It supports DDC hardware control and HDMI-CEC controls for compatible connections, plus network control for LG webOS, Samsung Tizen, Philips Android TV, and Yamaha AVR.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The official download page provides the app for macOS and links to GitHub releases.checked 4 Oct 2026
- HDR and XDR
- It offers XDR/HDR brightness upscaling, with support and brightness dependent on the display and Mac.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integration security
- CLI access and notification-based integration are enabled by default, while custom URL and HTTP access are off by default; HTTP and custom-URL requests can use a security token.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Picture in Picture
- The app can create Picture in Picture windows for physical displays or virtual screens and capture selected windows or groups.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Licensing uses Paddle, crash detection and log collection use Sentry, and the privacy policy says users can disable crash reporting, licensing features, and automatic update checks.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Scaling
- It can convert internal and natively connected external displays to flexibly scaled HiDPI displays.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- Community help is available through GitHub Issues, Discussions, and Discord; support is voluntary and a license does not guarantee personalized support.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Virtual screens
- Users can create virtual screens with different aspect ratios and resolutions, subject to compatible Mac requirements for HDR and high refresh rates.checked 4 Oct 2026
- What it does
- BetterDisplay manages Mac display settings, including brightness, resolution, color, and display connections.checked 4 Oct 2026
Money
- Free use
- Non-business users can continue using free functionality after the 14-day trial; Pro features require a license.checked 4 Oct 2026
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