BetterDisplay for MAC
Control every display on your Mac from the menu bar: HiDPI scaling, brightness, DDC, virtual screens. Free version.
BetterDisplay Overview
BetterDisplay gives you control over your Mac's displays from the menu bar. It can make external monitors fully scalable with sharp HiDPI resolutions, adjust brightness, volume and input on monitors that support DDC, create virtual screens, and disconnect or reconnect displays without unplugging a cable. Some of these are Pro features. BetterDisplay is developed by waydabber at Kodeon Software.
Many features are free for non-business use. A Pro license, a one-time purchase rather than a subscription, unlocks the rest, such as XDR and HDR extra brightness and advanced image adjustments, and a 14-day trial lets you try all Pro features first. BetterDisplay 5 runs on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs with macOS 26.3 or later; BetterDisplay 4 is still available for macOS 13.2 Ventura to macOS 15 Sequoia.
Key Features
BetterDisplay works with a single monitor as well as large multi-display setups.
- Flexible HiDPI scaling: make built-in and external displays fully scalable with sharp resolutions (Pro).
- Brightness, volume and color: adjust displays with sliders, keyboard shortcuts and software dimming down to black.
- DDC control: change brightness, volume and input on compatible monitors.
- XDR and HDR brightness: unlock extra brightness on compatible displays (Pro).
- Virtual screens: create virtual displays with custom resolutions, for example for headless Macs (advanced options in Pro).
- Picture in picture: view a display or a window in a separate window, with filters (Pro).
- Display management: disconnect and reconnect displays without unplugging them, and protect layouts and settings (Pro).
- HDMI-CEC and TV control: control TV volume, power and input over HDMI, and some network TVs.
- Automation: a command-line tool, URL schemes and macOS Shortcuts support.
What’s New in Version 5.1.1
BetterDisplay 5.1.1 is a service release with bug fixes and small improvements.
- Compatibility with macOS 27.2, including its new rounded on-screen display style
- Better display recovery after sleep
- Improved brightness and volume key handling
- Improved native audio control and picture-in-picture positioning
- The BetterDisplay Guide is easier to reach from Settings
BetterDisplay FAQ
Is BetterDisplay free?
Yes, many features are free for non-business use. A Pro license, a one-time purchase that is not a subscription, unlocks all features, and a 14-day trial lets you try them first. Business use beyond the trial needs a license.
Which features need BetterDisplay Pro?
Pro features include flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR and HDR extra brightness, advanced image adjustments and custom 3D LUTs, picture-in-picture, EDID overrides and some automation. The developer's guide has a full comparison of free and Pro features.
Which macOS version does BetterDisplay need?
BetterDisplay 5 needs macOS 26.3 or later. For macOS 13.2 Ventura to macOS 15 Sequoia, use BetterDisplay 4.3.7; older versions for Monterey and earlier are listed on its GitHub page.
Does BetterDisplay work on Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes. BetterDisplay runs on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. Some features depend on your Mac, your display and your macOS version.
How does BetterDisplay make text sharper on an external monitor?
macOS only offers sharp HiDPI (Retina-style) resolutions on some monitors. BetterDisplay can make external displays fully scalable, so you can choose a HiDPI resolution that looks sharp at the size you want.
Can BetterDisplay control my monitor's brightness?
Yes, on monitors that support DDC: BetterDisplay can change their brightness, volume and input from the Mac. On other displays it can dim the picture in software.
What is a virtual screen in BetterDisplay?
A virtual screen is a display that exists only in software. It is useful for headless Macs, remote access, or streaming a custom desktop to another screen.
Is BetterDisplay a subscription?
No. A Pro license is a one-time purchase that includes at least one year of updates, and you can keep using the versions it covers.
Where is the official BetterDisplay website?
The official website is betterdisplay.pro, and the official code page is waydabber/BetterDisplay on GitHub. The developer warns about lookalike sites that offer downloads or ask for payment.
Where does the BetterDisplay download on betterdisplay.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to BetterDisplay's official GitHub page at https://github.com/waydabber/BetterDisplay, which lists the download for each macOS version. betterdisplay.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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