waydabber/betterdisplay

BetterDisplay is a macOS application that extends and overrides the display configuration options that Apple exposes through System Settings, enabling capabilities that are either locked out or not available through the standard interface. The primary language is listed as unknown, consistent with this being a closed-source binary distributed via GitHub releases rather than source code. The tool addresses several common frustrations Mac users have with external displays. Many monitors connected to Macs do not offer proper HiDPI scaling, meaning text and UI elements look blurry or too small. BetterDisplay enables flexible HiDPI scaling for any connected display, including those that macOS would not normally treat as Retina-capable. It also allows XDR and HDR displays to go beyond 100% brightness to their maximum hardware capability, which macOS caps by default. Other features include DDC control, which is a standard protocol that lets software change a monitor's brightness, contrast, and input directly through the video cable without needing a physical button. The app supports creating virtual screens, displaying a real screen as a picture-in-picture window, disconnecting and reconnecting monitors on demand, EDID overrides (EDID is the data a monitor sends to the computer to describe its capabilities), and color mode controls. You would use BetterDisplay when you have an external monitor that looks blurry on your Mac, want to control a display's brightness via keyboard shortcuts, need to create virtual screens for remote access on a headless Mac, or want access to display settings that macOS intentionally hides. It runs on macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia, and supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. A paid Pro version unlocks most advanced features beyond the basics.