Compare software

ddcutil vs brightnessctl: catalog facts
ddcutil	brightnessctl
Best for: Linux users who want to control external monitor brightness and inputs from scripts	Best for: Linux users on tiling window managers who need brightness key bindings
Free Free and open source, with optional donations to the maintainer.	Free Free and open source.
Linux, Command line	Linux, Command line
Change brightness and input source without touching the monitor buttons Scriptable from the command line All 4 strengths for ddcutil Change brightness and input source without touching the monitor buttons Scriptable from the command line Shared library used by KDE PowerDevil Actively maintained with recent releases	Controls both screen backlights and LEDs Easy to bind to brightness keys All 3 strengths for brightnessctl Controls both screen backlights and LEDs Easy to bind to brightness keys Small and scriptable
Linux only Depends on monitor DDC/CI support and i2c device permissions All 3 limitations for ddcutil Linux only Depends on monitor DDC/CI support and i2c device permissions Command-line first; the GUI is a separate program	Linux only Command line only, no graphical interface
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-2.0	License: MIT
No account needed	No account needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for ddcutil ddcutil.com Catalog checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for brightnessctl github.com/Hummer12007/brightnessctl Catalog checked October 2, 2026

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