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DisplayBuddy
What DisplayBuddy is
DisplayBuddy controls supported external monitors from a Mac menu bar or Windows taskbar. Depending on the display, it can adjust brightness, contrast, built-in speaker volume, input source, resolution, and rotation. The Mac app uses DDC hardware control and can fall back to gamma dimming when DDC does not respond. Supported LG webOS and Samsung Tizen smart monitors can be controlled over Wi-Fi. Users can save presets and synchronize brightness across displays. Mac scheduling can use sunrise, sunset, time of day, charger state, or a connected display, with support for Shortcuts, Siri, a command-line interface, and MCP. Windows 10 and 11 support presets, keyboard shortcuts, global hotkeys, input switching, and resolution and refresh-rate controls. Personal costs $24.99, paid once, Pro $29.99, paid once, and Family $49.99, paid once, each with lifetime access. A 7-day trial and 7-day money-back guarantee are listed.
Who it suits
DisplayBuddy suits Mac or Windows users managing supported external displays. It is useful for people wanting presets, scheduling, input switching, or keyboard-based monitor controls.
What it does well
- Brightness and contrast controls
- Preset saving and synchronization
- Mac scheduling options
- Windows hotkeys and input switching
- Offline controls after activation
What to know first
- No free plan
- Internet required for activation
- Different Mac accounts need multiple licenses
- Only supported displays receive all controls
Limits
The Personal plan covers 1 Mac, Pro covers up to 2 Macs, and Family covers up to 5 Macs. Each includes unlimited presets and lifetime access; Enterprise pricing is scoped to team requirements and intended for organizations with more than 20 users.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | $24.99 for 1 Mac · 1 Mac · unlimited presets · lifetime access | $24.99, paid once |
| Pro | $29.99 · $14.99 per Mac · Up to 2 Macs · unlimited presets · lifetime access | $29.99, paid once |
| Family | $49.99 · $9.99 per Mac · Up to 5 Macs · unlimited presets · lifetime access | $49.99, paid once |
| Enterprise | Priced per user; pricing scoped to team size, platforms, deployment, and support requirements. · Intended for organizations with more than 20 users | On request |
As displaybuddy.app lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the DisplayBuddy website
- Choose the macOS or Windows version
- Start the available 7-day trial
- Install Windows through Microsoft Store or the standalone installer
- Activate the license with internet access
Verdict
DisplayBuddy provides centralized monitor controls across macOS and Windows, with scheduling and automation options on Mac. One-time plans cover different Mac counts, while business licensing is priced separately.
Questions
How much does DisplayBuddy cost?
Personal is $24.99, paid once for 1 Mac. Pro is $29.99, paid once for up to 2 Macs, and Family is $49.99, paid once for up to 5 Macs; each includes lifetime access and unlimited presets.
Is there a free plan or trial?
There is no free plan. A 7-day trial is available, including through the Microsoft Store for Windows.
Which platforms does DisplayBuddy support?
DisplayBuddy supports macOS and Windows. The Windows app supports Windows 10 and 11.
Can DisplayBuddy work without internet?
License activation requires internet access. Core display controls work offline after activation.
Does DisplayBuddy support smart monitors?
The Mac app can control supported LG webOS and Samsung Tizen smart monitors over Wi-Fi.
Facts from DisplayBuddy's own pages
- Automation
- The Mac app can schedule presets by sunrise, sunset, time of day, charger state, or connected display, and supports macOS Shortcuts, Siri, a CLI, and MCP. · displaybuddy.app, 30 Sept 2026
- Business use
- Business licensing supports Mac, Windows, and mixed fleets, with a test version and deployment assistance available by request. · displaybuddy.app, 30 Sept 2026
- Code signing
- The business page says the Mac app is code-signed and notarized by Apple; Windows distribution is through Microsoft Store or a standalone installer. · displaybuddy.app, 30 Sept 2026
- DDC and fallback
- The Mac app uses DDC for hardware control and can fall back to gamma dimming when a monitor does not respond to DDC. · displaybuddy.app, 30 Sept 2026
- Diagnostics and payments
- The privacy policy says the app uses Sentry for crash reporting and that Gumroad or LemonSqueezy handles payments without DisplayBuddy accessing card details. · displaybuddy.app, 30 Sept 2026
- License limit
- Different user accounts on one Mac require multiple licenses. · displaybuddy.app, 30 Sept 2026
- Monitor controls
- It can control brightness, contrast, built-in speaker volume, input source, resolution, and rotation on supported displays. · displaybuddy.app, 30 Sept 2026
- Offline operation
- License activation requires internet access, but core display controls work offline after activation. · displaybuddy.app, 30 Sept 2026
- Presets and sync
- Users can save display settings in presets and synchronize brightness across displays. · displaybuddy.app, 30 Sept 2026
- Privacy
- Display controls and settings are processed and stored locally; optional anonymous product analytics can be disabled in the app. · displaybuddy.app, 30 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- DisplayBuddy controls external monitor brightness, contrast, and volume from a Mac menu bar or Windows taskbar. · displaybuddy.app, 30 Sept 2026
- Refund
- Full-price purchases have a 7-day money-back guarantee. · displaybuddy.app, 30 Sept 2026
- Smart monitors
- The maker says the Mac app can control supported LG webOS and Samsung Tizen smart monitors over Wi-Fi. · displaybuddy.app, 30 Sept 2026
- Trial
- The Windows page says a free trial is available and invites users to try it free on the Microsoft Store. · displaybuddy.app, 30 Sept 2026
- Windows features
- The Windows app supports Windows 10 and 11, monitor presets, keyboard shortcuts, global hotkeys, input switching, and resolution and refresh-rate controls. · displaybuddy.app, 30 Sept 2026
Where DisplayBuddy stands on Freedom251
- Monitor Control Software#22 of 24