DisplayBuddy
About the Company
DisplayBuddy is a software tool designed to enhance the experience of Mac users by enabling seamless control over external display settings. Created in Singapore by Siddharth Gupta, a full-time iOS engineer, DisplayBuddy was launched in February 2021. The app simplifies adjusting brightness, contrast, and volume on external monitors without the need to navigate physical monitor controls.
Despite its simplicity, DisplayBuddy has garnered positive reviews from users and publications like iMore. With an emphasis on user feedback and iterative improvement, the app remains a one-person operation, sustained by Gupta's passion for solving everyday tech problems. Its lean business model has allowed steady growth with low overhead costs.
DisplayBuddy generates $1,500 monthly revenue through Gumroad, leveraging digital tools for distribution, licensing, and customer management. It has also joined SetApp, broadening its user base via subscription access to multiple high-quality Mac apps.
Idea Behind Company
The concept for DisplayBuddy emerged during the pandemic when work-from-home setups became ubiquitous. Siddharth Gupta noticed his struggle, and that of colleagues, with adjusting settings on external monitors. Inspired by a teammate’s frustration with switching inputs on a 49-inch ultrawide monitor, Gupta researched solutions for a simpler, software-based control method.
Discovering the DDC/CI protocol, which many monitors support for display adjustments, Gupta prototyped a script to control monitor brightness from his Mac. Realizing the tech’s potential, he tested it on multiple monitors and achieved consistent results. This discovery served as the foundation for DisplayBuddy, eliminating the need for cumbersome physical buttons.
By addressing a niche but impactful problem for Mac users, DisplayBuddy focused on delivering a polished, user-friendly solution. Gupta’s approach reflects a broader trend in software development—targeting specific pain points with practical, accessible tools.
Creating the Company
Siddharth Gupta began developing DisplayBuddy in late 2020 with a clear focus on solving monitor adjustment issues. Initially expecting a quick turnaround, Gupta spent three months perfecting the app’s core functionality. The MVP included sliders for brightness, contrast, and volume within a minimalist menu bar interface.
Feedback was integral to the process. Gupta beta-tested the app with friends and early adopters, refining features based on their suggestions. Licensing and payment solutions were simplified using Gumroad, enabling secure transactions without requiring a dedicated backend server.
For marketing, Gupta designed a simple website using Webflow, hosted it on GitHub Pages, and relied on community engagement. The app’s development underscored the value of iterative design, where early feedback from real users guides product enhancements.
Launching the Business
DisplayBuddy’s public launch occurred in February 2021, priced at $3.99. Gupta announced it on Twitter, leveraging his small but engaged following. His father became the first paying customer, and the app gained traction through word-of-mouth and a review by iMore, an Apple-focused publication.
The maker community on Twitter played a significant role in DisplayBuddy’s exposure. Tweets and retweets by influential users amplified its visibility, driving sales. Gupta kept the momentum by sharing updates, features, and promotional offers on Twitter, creating a sense of connection with his audience.
Press and podcast mentions, such as MacBreakWeekly, further expanded DisplayBuddy’s reach. Despite minimal advertising, the app’s niche appeal and organic buzz enabled a steady growth trajectory. Gupta’s emphasis on user engagement and community involvement became critical to its success.
Earnings
DisplayBuddy now generates $600 monthly recurring revenue (MRR) from Google searches and prior press coverage, supplemented by its inclusion in SetApp, which provides access to 6,000+ users via subscription. This steady performance highlights the power of a niche product that fulfills a specific need.
With total revenues surpassing $5,000 within its first eight months, DisplayBuddy exemplifies the potential of lean indie development. Gupta managed to keep startup costs below $100, relying on free or low-cost tools for web hosting, licensing, and payment processing.
Gupta continues to improve the app while exploring new growth avenues. His experience demonstrates that even modest indie projects can achieve sustainable success with the right focus, execution, and user engagement.
