Blackout Alternatives: Dim Your Screen and Boost Focus
Blackout is a popular macOS application lauded for its unique screen dimming capabilities and focus-enhancing features, offering distinct display modes like a cursor-following spotlight. It's a fantastic tool for reducing eye strain during late-night work sessions or in poorly lit environments. However, while Blackout excels for Mac users, what if you're on a different operating system, or seeking specific features like blue light filtering or more granular control? This article explores the best Blackout alternative options to help you achieve optimal screen brightness and focus, regardless of your platform.
Top Blackout Alternatives
Whether you're looking for cross-platform compatibility, advanced eye protection, or simply a different approach to screen dimming, these alternatives offer compelling solutions to enhance your digital well-being.
f.lux
f.lux is a highly popular and free cross-platform software available for Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS devices. It automatically adjusts your computer's display color temperature to adapt to the time of day, making it warmer at night and like sunlight during the day. Key features include a blue light filter, various color temperature modes, night mode/dark theme, and scheduling, making it an excellent Blackout alternative for eye comfort.
Redshift
Redshift is a free and open-source Blackout alternative for Windows, Linux, and BSD. It adjusts the color temperature of your screen based on the sun's position, setting different temperatures for day and night. Features include color temperature adjustment, color correction, a command-line interface, and a blue light filter, providing a robust solution for eye strain.
RedshiftGUI
RedshiftGUI is a free and open-source application for Windows and Linux that provides a graphical user interface for Redshift. It helps adjust your monitor's color temperature to better match your surroundings, setting a cooler temperature during the day and a warmer one at night. While it doesn't offer unique features beyond what Redshift provides, its GUI makes it more accessible for users looking for a straightforward Blackout alternative on these platforms.
PangoBright
PangoBright is a free Windows-only screen dimming software that allows you to control the brightness of both your primary and external monitors. Its key features include a dimmer function and support for multiple monitors, making it a portable and effective Blackout alternative for Windows users with multi-display setups.
Dimmer
Dimmer is a very small, free, and portable utility for Windows designed to reduce brightness on LCD/TFT screens. It's particularly useful for working on your computer at night with very low ambient light. While simple, its automatic brightness dimming makes it a great, lightweight Blackout alternative for Windows users focused purely on screen dimming.
G.lux
G.lux is an unofficial, free variation of f.lux available for Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, and as a Chrome extension. It automatically changes the color temperature of your browser as the sun goes down, offering a night mode/dark theme specifically for web browsing. For those seeking a browser-centric Blackout alternative, G.lux is a valuable tool.
Screen Filter
Screen Filter is a free Android application designed to apply a shade that acts as a dimmer, ensuring your eyes don't hurt. It's more powerful than Android's built-in brightness setting and is great for low-light gaming or general use. For Android users, Screen Filter offers a direct Blackout alternative for mobile devices.
Iris
Iris is a freemium software available for Mac, Windows, and Linux that aims to make monitors healthier for the eyes. It allows you to reduce blue light for better sleep, decrease screen brightness, and offers features like a built-in timer, automatic brightness dimming, and multi-monitor support. Iris is a comprehensive Blackout alternative, especially for users prioritizing advanced eye health features.
iBrightness Tray
iBrightness Tray is a free utility for Windows that, in addition to adjusting screen brightness, offers other display-related functions. While the specific additional functions aren't detailed, its core ability to adjust brightness makes it a simple and free Blackout alternative for Windows users seeking basic control.
Calise
Calise is a free and open-source Linux program that adjusts screen brightness based on light detected by a webcam. This unique approach provides an automatic and dynamic dimming experience. For Linux users seeking an adaptive Blackout alternative that leverages hardware, Calise is an interesting option.
With a variety of options ranging from simple dimmers to advanced blue light filters and cross-platform solutions, you're sure to find a Blackout alternative that perfectly fits your operating system, workflow, and eye care needs. Explore these tools to discover the best fit for your digital comfort and productivity.