Lunar is a macOS app for controlling monitors, including external display brightness. For compatible monitors, it uses DDC to send brightness and input commands. Manual Mode provides hotkeys for external-monitor brightness, volume, and input; Sync Mode carries the MacBook’s adaptive brightness adjustments over to external monitors. Sensor Mode uses an external ambient light sensor to adjust brightness and contrast, while Location Mode bases adjustments on the sun’s position. Clock Mode schedules brightness and contrast changes by time, sunrise, noon, or sunset. Pro adds XDR Brightness, sub-zero dimming, Auto BlackOut, BlackOut, and FaceLight. Lunar also integrates with macOS Shortcuts and includes a command-line interface for monitor automation. It supports macOS 11 and later and runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel. If DDC is unavailable, Gamma can dim the display but cannot control monitor volume or input. The free version limits Manual Mode to 100 adjustments a day and Shortcuts to 100 action calls a day; Lunar Pro is 23.00 USD per once for a lifetime license.
Who it is for
Lunar suits Mac users who want to adjust external monitor settings or automate monitor changes. Its adaptive, sensor, location, and scheduling modes address different ways to manage brightness.
What is good
- Controls compatible monitors using DDC
- Hotkeys cover brightness, volume, and input
- Offers sensor and location-based adjustments
- Supports macOS Shortcuts and command-line automation
- Runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel
What to know first
- Available only for macOS
- Free version limits daily adjustments and actions
- Gamma fallback cannot control volume or input
- Lunar Pro is a one-time 23.00 USD license
Verdict
Lunar offers multiple ways to control external monitor brightness, with additional display features in Pro. The free version has daily action limits, and Gamma fallback cannot change monitor volume or input.
Lunar plans and pricing
All plansCompared on monitor control software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- macOS
- DDC/CI control
- Yes
- Input switching
- Yes
- Monitor profiles
- Yes
- Settings scheduling
- Yes
- CLI or API access
- Yes
- Auto brightness
- Yes
