Displays · 6 min read
BetterDisplay vs Tegaro
Tegaro is better if you want everyday brightness and resolution controls beside other Mac tools. BetterDisplay is stronger for virtual screens and custom-resolution work.
Both apps let you control external monitors from the menu bar. Here is how their scope and pricing compare.
Tegaro and BetterDisplay both let you change the brightness of an external monitor from your Mac. BetterDisplay is a dedicated display app with deep options for virtual screens and custom resolutions. Tegaro's Displays tool sets brightness and switches the resolution of each connected display, and can show a copy of your Dock on every screen. It is one of ten tools in a single menu-bar icon, next to dictation, screenshots, clipboard history and Power for battery details. If you only need advanced display setup, BetterDisplay goes further. If you want display control plus other everyday Mac tools in one place, Tegaro fits.
Free daily display controls
Displays keeps normal brightness and resolution controls available after the trial.
Dock on every screen
An optional Dock mirror can sit on a selected connected display.
Ten tools, one icon
Display controls share the Tegaro menu-bar app with its other modules.
At a glance
| Capability | BetterDisplay | Tegaro |
|---|---|---|
| External monitor brightness (DDC/CI) Both change the brightness of a connected external monitor | Yes, with a software fallback for monitors that do not support it | Yes |
| Display resolution BetterDisplay goes further with custom resolutions | Yes, including custom and virtual resolutions | Switches the resolution of each connected display, built-in and compatible external |
| Virtual screens BetterDisplay is the better choice for this | Yes | No |
| Brightness above 100% on XDR displays Both can go brighter on supported displays | Yes (paid) | Yes (Pro) |
| Other Mac tools Tegaro adds dictation, screenshots, clipboard, power and more | Display tools only | Ten tools, including a copy of the Dock on every screen and battery details |
| Menu bar icons Fewer icons if you use several Tegaro tools | One icon for displays | One icon for all ten tools |
| Privacy Review the relevant feature and provider privacy documentation. | Runs on your Mac | Core typing, copied-content and downloaded-model dictation workflows are local; separate services can have their own network behaviour |
| Pricing Checked against the official source on 2026-10-07; taxes and regional terms can vary. | $21.99 / €19.99 Pro; perpetual for the current major version, with at least one year of updates and a 14-day trial. | 14-day trial with everything unlocked; Displays stays free after that; Pro: $1.99 first month, then $4.99/month, $29.99/year or $100 lifetime |
When to Choose BetterDisplay
People who need virtual screens, custom resolution options or detailed display settings for complex multi-monitor setups.
When to Choose Tegaro
Mac users who want simple brightness and resolution control for each display, a copy of the Dock on every screen, and also want dictation, screenshots, clipboard history and battery details in one menu-bar icon.
Tegaro tools, one icon
Typing · Clipboard · Screenshots · Dictation · Displays · Power · Disk · Sound · AI Usage · Critter
Current Tegaro access
Try every Pro tool for 14 days without a card or account. Afterward, Free keeps Classic, Cat and Dog, Power, Sound, AI Usage, normal Displays and Disk analysis; it includes 100 successful automatic layout fixes per calendar month and 2,000 delivered dictation words per Monday-starting week. Pro unlocks Clipboard, Screenshots, Disk cleanup and app removal, unlimited layout automation and dictation, more critters and compatible EDR brightness. A $100 lifetime license covers one person on up to three Macs.
Pricing and terms: BetterDisplay
$21.99 / €19.99 Pro; perpetual for the current major version, with at least one year of updates and a 14-day trial.
$21.99 / €19.99 Pro; perpetual for the current major version, with at least one year of updates and a 14-day trial.
Offers: BetterDisplay
No public promotion is asserted here; check the official checkout for current offers.
Tegaro trial offer
Eligible trial users may receive a one-time 30% annual or lifetime offer valid for 48 hours. It is optional, not a promised public price.
Privacy and footprint
Tegaro runs its core typing, clipboard and downloaded-model dictation workflows locally. AI usage may query Claude or Codex providers using existing authentication; licensing checks, downloads, updates and opted-in email have separate network behaviour. Review each product’s privacy documentation for the feature you use.
Native macOS app built with Swift.
Core typing, copied-content and downloaded-model dictation workflows stay local. Licensing, optional renewal lookups, model downloads, opted-in diagnostics and direct AI-provider checks are separate network actions. AI Usage uses existing provider sign-in and does not send provider credentials to Tegaro.
How to Switch from BetterDisplay to Tegaro
- Turn off monitor brightness control in BetterDisplay so the two apps do not both change the same monitor.
- Open Tegaro and check that your external monitor appears under Displays.
- Move the brightness slider to confirm the monitor responds.
- Quit BetterDisplay and remove it from Login Items if you no longer need it.
Frequently asked questions
Can Tegaro change the brightness and resolution of an external monitor?
Yes. The Displays tool lets you change the brightness of a compatible external monitor and switch the resolution of each connected display from the menu bar. Displays stays free after the 14-day trial.
Does Tegaro support virtual screens like BetterDisplay?
No. If you need virtual screens or custom resolution options, BetterDisplay is the better choice.
Why choose Tegaro over a standalone display app?
Tegaro puts ten tools in one menu-bar icon: Dictation, Screenshots, Clipboard, Layout, Displays, Power, Critter, AI usage limits and Disk. Displays can also show a copy of your Dock on every screen. If you only need display control, a dedicated app like BetterDisplay may suit you better.
Sources and disclosure
Published by Tegaro. App information is checked against the linked official pages on the date shown. Checked: 2026-10-07.