BetterDisplay Pro is a comprehensive display management tool for macOS that significantly enhances how users interact with and control their displays. Developed by Kodeon Software (@waydabber), this utility transforms standard displays into fully customizable screens with extensive control options.
Overview
BetterDisplay Pro allows users to convert displays to fully scalable screens, manage display configurations, control brightness and colors, and utilize XDR/HDR brightness upscaling. The application enables full display dimming, virtual screen creation, Picture-in-Picture functionality, and on-the-fly display disconnection/reconnection. It serves as a central hub for all display-related settings, accessible directly from the menu bar.
Key Features
Display Control and Management
- Flexible Scaling: Convert internal and external displays to flexible-scaled HiDPI displays with easy resolution adjustment via slider
- XDR/HDR Brightness Upscaling: Unlock full brightness potential (up to 1600 nits) for compatible XDR or HDR displays using various methods
- Display Synchronization: Sync brightness, image controls, and UI scale across multiple displays
- Layout Protection: Create and protect display arrangements using anchor points for natural screen traversal
- Color Management: Select color modes, profiles, and XDR presets with auto-switching between SDR and HDR modes
Hardware Control
- DDC Control: Adjust brightness, volume, and colors via software and hardware controls with extensive Mac compatibility
- Display Input Management: Change display inputs using DDC on supported monitors
- Display Connection Management: Disconnect/reconnect displays on-the-fly and auto-disconnect built-in screens when external displays are connected
Extended Functionality
- Virtual Screens: Create any number of virtual screens with custom aspect ratios and resolutions
- Picture in Picture: Generate PiP windows for any real display or virtual screen
- Video Filters: Apply filters to PiP and local streaming
- Local Streaming: Redirect display contents to another screen
- EDID Management: Override and export EDID information with detailed display data
- Custom Resolutions: Define favorite resolutions accessible via menu, slider, or keyboard shortcuts
Integration and Accessibility
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Control brightness, audio, and other functions via native or custom shortcuts
- CLI and App Integration: Command line tools, custom URL schema, HTTP, and notification support
- macOS Shortcuts: App Intents support for various operations
- MediaMate Support: Enhanced on-screen display visuals
Compatibility
The latest version (v3.5.6) is compatible with macOS Ventura, Sonoma, or Sequoia on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. For macOS Tahoe 26 beta users, v4.x pre-release versions are available. Legacy versions support older macOS releases:
- macOS Monterey: v2.3.9
- macOS Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur: v1.4.15
Specific features have particular hardware requirements:
- XDR/HDR upscaling requires Apple XDR displays or compatible external HDR displays
- Display connect/disconnect features work best on Apple Silicon Macs
- Flexible scaling requires macOS Monterey 12.4+ and natively connected displays
- Maximum resolution capabilities depend on GPU specifications
Licensing
While many features are available for free to non-business users, a Pro license ($19.99/€19.99) unlocks all functionality. The app offers a 14-day trial for full evaluation before purchase. Pro features include video filters, XDR brightness upscaling, display synchronization, layout protection, and advanced control options.
Installation
BetterDisplay Pro can be installed manually by downloading the DMG file and moving the app to the Applications folder, or via Homebrew using the command brew install --cask betterdisplay.
The application is actively developed with regular updates, localization support for multiple languages, and a dedicated Discord community for user support and discussion.
