Displays · 5 min read
Lunar vs Tegaro
Tegaro is better if you want simple display controls in a broader toolkit. Lunar is stronger for dedicated monitor automation.
Lunar is an advanced app known for syncing monitor brightness automatically. Here is how it compares to Tegaro's simpler Displays tool, which also switches resolution and shows a Dock on every screen.
Tegaro and Lunar both let you change the brightness of an external monitor from your Mac. Lunar goes further on automation: it can match your external screen to an ambient light sensor or your MacBook display as the light changes. Tegaro's Displays tool is simpler. You set brightness yourself, switch the resolution of each connected display, and can show a copy of your Dock on every screen. With Pro you can go above 100% on XDR displays. It is one of ten tools in a single menu-bar icon, including Power for battery details, and Displays stays free after the 14-day trial.
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 | Lunar | Tegaro |
|---|---|---|
| External monitor brightness (DDC/CI) Both change the brightness of a connected external monitor | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic brightness from a light sensor Lunar specializes in automatic adjustment | Yes (can follow your MacBook display or a light sensor) | No, you set brightness yourself |
| Brightness above 100% on XDR displays Both can go brighter on supported displays | Yes | Yes (Pro) |
| Other Mac tools Dictation, Screenshots, Clipboard, Power (battery details) and more | None (displays only) | Ten tools in one menu-bar icon |
| Display resolution Both let you switch the resolution of a display | Yes | Yes, for the built-in display and compatible external monitors |
| Dock on every screen Choose edge, reserved space, auto-hide, icon size and magnification | No | Yes, a copy of your Dock with the same apps, order, folders and Trash |
| 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. | Lunar Pro: $23 lifetime license with 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 Lunar
People who want brightness to adjust automatically, matching an external screen to an ambient light sensor or their MacBook display.
When to Choose Tegaro
People who want simple manual control of brightness and resolution for each display, a Dock on every screen, and 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: Lunar
Lunar Pro: $23 lifetime license with a 14-day trial.
Lunar Pro: $23 lifetime license with a 14-day trial.
Offers: Lunar
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 Lunar to Tegaro
- In Lunar, turn off its brightness control and quit the app.
- Open Tegaro and check that your external monitor appears under Displays.
- Move the brightness slider to confirm the monitor responds.
- Keep Lunar if you want brightness to follow a light sensor automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Does Tegaro adjust brightness automatically like Lunar?
No. In Tegaro you set the brightness yourself. If you want it to follow an ambient light sensor or your MacBook display, Lunar is the better choice.
Why does Tegaro include a Dock on every screen?
With several monitors, the macOS Dock sits on only one of them. Tegaro's Displays tool can show a copy of the Dock on every screen, mirroring the real Dock's apps, order, folders and Trash, so you can open apps without moving to the Dock's screen.
Does Tegaro need a separate license for displays?
No. Displays stays free after the 14-day trial, and one Pro plan covers the paid tools such as Clipboard, Screenshots and brightness above 100% on XDR displays.
Sources and disclosure
Published by Tegaro. App information is checked against the linked official pages on the date shown. Checked: 2026-10-07.