Review
Display Buddy
The app that will change your approach to controlling external monitors
Some time ago, I wrote a review for you about a useful application that I accidentally came across while browsing the internet, it was the Monitor Control application. Since I enjoyed this application so much and it improved my management of external monitors, I decided to share it with you, and I wrote this short article where I introduced it to you.
It’s been about a month since the author of Monitor Control contacted me and offered to try its successor Display Buddy, a redesigned Monitor Control application with many improvements and, most importantly, offering support for Apple Silicon M2. In this article, we will take a look at this application together.
You’ll learn whether it’s worth getting the app separately, what alternatives exist, and even about the option to download the app as part of a Setapp subscription. Since I got the free app, I will put this article outside the medium paywall. And at the same time, no affiliate links will be provided here. Please note in advance that this is not a paid collaboration.
Introducing the app
The app was released in February 2021, so it came to me relatively late. That was why I was in no hurry to review this app. As such, the app has an excellent design that fits into the macOS environment, making it virtually unnoticeable that it is not a native app.
As such, the app works and does what it should. You can appreciate the ability to save presets and native support for multiple monitors simultaneously. And users who find their way to it love it. As evidenced by the user rating of 4.9 stars out of 5.
As a virtue of this application is worth mentioning the support of monitors from different manufacturers; thus, you do not have to worry about compatibility with your device.
However, if you find that the app does not support your monitor, you can ask the developer to add support for your device or choose the refund route for the app if you have chosen the stand-alone app purchase route.
You can also find the app in the Setapp app library, where you can download it for free as part of your subscription. If you have this subscription, you can try the app.
Why get this app?
The Display Buddy app will be your great companion when you often change, for example, the brightness of your display where you normally have to use the hardware buttons to access the menu of your external monitor, let alone when you have multiple monitors, so it’s a matter of setting it up on several devices.
However, there are other examples where Display Buddy can help you. I don’t use the second model situation as I have an external sound card. Still, there can be users who use the hardware buttons on the monitor to adjust example, the loudspeaker volume with the help of this application to solve everything conveniently from the system.
Alternatives
There are various alternatives for this application, so it can not be said that the author has found exactly a hole in the market. You can choose apps with different menu designs or other features. There are also alternatives that you can download and use for free from Git Hub. So why choose this app and not choose another?
I had to think about this question myself for a while because the moment you download any app that allows you to adjust brightness and volume for multiple connected monitors. It does exactly what you need, you won’t need to look for another app.
The main advantage of this app is its simplicity, it offers the user exactly what he needs and nothing extra. For example, the alternative application BetterDisplay, free from GitHub, is free but offers too complex settings most macOS users do not appreciate. Since the advantage of macOS is just simple, intuitive control.
Conclusion
Display Buddy is the same as its predecessor, Monitor Control. The moment you try this app, you won’t want any more. It’s not that it’s a groundbreaking app. The app fits nicely into the Apple ecosystem, doesn’t interfere in any way with its appearance, and works.
In my month or so of testing this app, I haven’t encountered a single issue where the app didn’t correctly translate monitor instructions or crashed with some error, for example.
The application worked absolutely without problems, and I enjoyed it. So, would I buy this app if I were to consider buying it? Yes, but it must be the first to appear on Google or wherever I search.
If I found an alternative app that accomplished what I needed before, I would not need to search for this particular app, which would be a shame. However, if you have a Setapp subscription, try the app, as it can improve your day.
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