Side by side

Lunar vs Monitorian

Both stand on monitor control software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Lunar

Free plan Mac

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.

Visit Lunar

Monitorian

Free plan Windows

Choose Monitorian if you use Windows and want to adjust supported displays separately from one interface. Look elsewhere if your displays or connection path do not pass the required control commands, or if you need a ready-to-run installer rather than a ZIP that may contain source files.

Visit Monitorian

The facts

	Lunar	Monitorian
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	Mac	Windows
Lowest paid plan	Lunar Pro: $23, paid once	Free or on request
Plans published	2	1
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	lunar.fyi	monitorian.org
On monitor control software	#13 of 24	#17 of 24

Lunar: what it does well

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

Monitorian: what it does well

Separate brightness controls for supported detected displays
Can identify supported screens for independent adjustment
Compact interface with brightness sliders
Free Windows utility under the MIT License
CLI or API access is listed

What to know first

External monitor control depends on display support and connection details
Some docks or adapters may block monitor-control commands
The GitHub ZIP may contain source rather than an installer

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