Overview

Monitor Switch is a DDC/CI service for changing monitor inputs and settings through a browser, HTTP API, scripts, or Home Assistant. It best suits people who share a display between computers and are comfortable setting up a Raspberry Pi. Its automation options are unusually broad for a monitor utility, but the Pi requirement and unverified compatibility beyond one monitor narrow its appeal.

Key features

Input switching is the core use: a Pi connected to the monitor can change its source without software running on each computer. When a display exposes the relevant DDC/CI controls, Monitor Switch can also adjust brightness, contrast, volume, mute, picture mode, colour temperature, RGB gain, and black level. It reads monitor data such as usage hours, firmware level, refresh rates, and power state, giving it more reach than a simple source selector.

Editable profiles define monitor values and can correct capability detection when a display reports its controls inaccurately. Home Assistant discovers profile features over MQTT and presents them as entities, including selectors, sliders, and sensors. This makes Monitor Switch a sensible choice for users building monitor controls into home-automation routines; it is less compelling for someone who only wants a quick desktop brightness control.

Setup takes more work than installing an ordinary desktop app. The service runs on a Raspberry Pi with Raspberry Pi OS, connected to the monitor over HDMI and reachable through SSH; installation uses an Ansible playbook. Hardware checks cover a Samsung Odyssey G9 paired with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, while other monitors remain unverified. After an input change, a full monitor-value reread takes about 20 seconds on a Pi Zero, so reported settings may briefly lag. Home Assistant state is polled, with input-source polling set to 15 seconds by default.

There is also a consequential blind spot: switching to a computer that is off can leave the screen black, and Monitor Switch cannot identify that state beforehand. The service has no authentication and is intended for a trusted LAN. It binds to a configurable address rather than 0.0.0.0 by default, but that does not make it appropriate to expose beyond a network the user trusts.

Pricing

Monitor Switch is free open-source software under the MIT license. Its single plan is free and includes the service without a paid tier or trial to weigh. The trade-off is operational rather than financial: users need a Raspberry Pi, a compatible monitor and the patience to configure and maintain a self-hosted service.

Platforms

Monitor Switch is listed for web, Linux, API, and self-hosted Raspberry Pi use. The browser interface and HTTP API provide direct access, while scripts and Home Assistant offer other control paths. The Pi requirement means Linux support should not be read as a conventional desktop-only installation.

Who it's for

Choose Monitor Switch if you move one monitor between computers, want to manage its exposed settings centrally, or plan to connect those controls to Home Assistant. It is a better fit for technically comfortable users with a Raspberry Pi and a trusted LAN than for first-time users looking for a polished utility they can install on a single computer. If the monitor’s compatibility is uncertain, the narrow hardware verification makes a simpler, platform-specific option less of a gamble.

Pros and cons

Pro: Several control routes—browser, HTTP API, scripts, and Home Assistant—let users choose direct control or automation.
Pro: Profiles can override incorrect capability detection, helping users adapt settings to a monitor’s reported features.
Con: Raspberry Pi OS, HDMI connection, SSH access, and Ansible installation add setup and hardware requirements.
Con: Compatibility verification covers only one reported monitor setup, leaving other displays uncertain.
Con: An input change to a powered-off computer can produce a black screen, and the service cannot warn in advance.
Con: No authentication and a trusted-LAN design limit where the service should be reachable.
Con: Monitor values may take around 20 seconds to refresh after switching on a Pi Zero.

Alternatives

For an option specific to a particular computer platform or monitor maker, Lunar is a macOS alternative with a free version and a free trial. AOC G-Menu is a free Windows choice for supported AOC devices. Linux users who want a free MIT-licensed brightness tool can consider Monitor Brightness Control, which requires a DDC/CI-compatible monitor and I2C access.

Twinkle Tray is free for Windows 10 and 11 and covers most laptops and DDC/CI-enabled monitors. On macOS, BetterDisplay offers a free version and a Pro perpetual license for 21.99 USD per once, with at least one year of updates for covered versions. Linux users seeking free software can also consider DDCcontrol or ddcutil; the latter is available for Linux, API, and self-hosted use under GPLv2. ASUS DisplayWidget Center is a free option for compatible ASUS monitors on macOS or Windows.

For more choices in this category, see Monitor Control Software.

Verdict

Monitor Switch is best for Raspberry Pi users who share a monitor between computers and want its input and exposed settings available to scripts or Home Assistant. Its broad controls and editable profiles give automation-minded users a strong reason to choose it, especially at no software cost. Look elsewhere if you need verified support for a particular monitor, desktop-only setup, or protection against switching to a computer that is off.

	Monitor Switch	Monitorian
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial		No
Paid from	Free	Free
Platforms	api, Linux, self-hosted, Web	Windows
Supported platforms	web, Linux, API, self-hosted Raspberry Pi	Windows
DDC/CI control	Yes	Yes
Input switching	Yes
Monitor profiles	Yes
CLI or API access	Yes	Yes
Free plan		Yes

Monitor Switch vs Monitorian

Monitor Switch

Monitorian