Best Mac Monitor Calibration Software

07-05-2021 by

Another way you can save money is to buy a basic calibration package and pair the included device with DisplayCal software. In some cases, it’s the complexity of the software that dictates the cost of the calibrator. DisplayCal is one of the best calibration programs, so. Jan 22, 2016 You'll get the best viewing experience from your monitor if you calibrate it. Mac OS X's calibrating tool takes just minutes to use and will ensure colors are accurate when you're working with.

How do you know that a photo, video or design you are seeing on your monitor will appear the same to everyone else? Well, this is very tricky as all monitors and mobile devices are all subtly different.

You can, however, set your own screen to an industry standard. This will go a long way in helping ensure more accurate color showing for everyone viewing your photography, illustrations, graphic design, videos and more.

But how is this done? This is where a calibration monitor comes into frame (pun intended). As these are such vital pieces of equipment, I have rounded up some of the best monitor calibration tools on the market!

Why use a calibration tool for your monitor?

Best Monitor Calibration For Mac

Though monitors from different brands and types of devices will vary in what they show, there is an industry standard that all manufacturers design around. So, calibrating our own monitors will make sure that the colors and tonal values you adjusted in your post processing will be a fairly good representation of the image on other monitors.

Calibrationaider

We can’t control anyone else’s monitor, but we can be sure our own is accurate as it can be for printing and reproducing.

It’s also beneficial for our own workflow for all of our own monitors to be adjusted alike. We can try to do this ourselves by playing around with the monitor controls and eyeballing our adjustments against a Macbeth Color Checker. However a better way is to use a calibration tool and the accompanying software.

Free Monitor Calibration Software

You may be wondering if your super duper high price special purchase of a monitor requires calibration thought. Yes, it does. There can be minor variations in manufacturing, plus most factory defaults tend towards being too bright. Depending on the brand, the factory defaults could also be a little too vivid or a little weak. Calibrating takes care of that.

How to correctly calibrate your monitor

Keep in mind that each different calibration tool usually comes with its own software, thus the specifics of each step may vary. The basics can also be found online on YouTube or other sites. Here’s one example:

In one search, I found literally hours of video on the subject.

Here are some of the basics:

  • Install the software and the device. You will want to have your monitor on for about 20 minutes or so before starting. Even the newest tech monitors need to completely warm up for best calibration.
  • Brightness and contrast. The software will probably have recommendations, but this gets the first step done. Proper brightness and contrast gives more accurate colors. You’re not just a black point value, you’re setting black values and white values at the same time.
  • Gamma correction. In film photography, gamma is a mathematical curve describing how a film handles exposures within a range of luminance. The toe and the shoulder of the curve described how the film reacts differently at the extremes of the light values it can capture. In digital photography, it still describes light values and the equipment’s reaction to them, but is usually described with a number now.
  • Color temperature. If white doesn’t look white, that is because of color temperature. Adjusting the monitor for a proper balance is one of the key parts of calibration.
  • Ambient light. Some people like to have different settings profiles for different ambient light they find themselves in most often. Sometimes it makes a little difference. See what the software does and then you choose.
  • This is the tool and software deciding what your monitor is capable of.
  • Create and save a monitor profile. As your monitor ages, you may need to calibrate again.
Software
  • Repeat these steps with each monitor you use. Don’t forget your projectors or printers.

Monitor Calibration Software Reviews

Top 5 Best Monitor Calibration Tools for Photographers, Editors & Designers!

1. Datacolor Spyder5PRO (S5P100) Review (Best Tested(

Coming in first on my list is the very versatile and quite affordable Datacolor Spyder5PRO. For me, this gave me the most accurate results and was the fastest and easiest to use. All in all, I calibrated my monitor in under 10 minutes with this tool.

A huge part of the efficiency and effectiveness of the calibration tool you chose is going to depend on the software. The Spyder software is easy to learn, simple to use. Datacolor Spyder is a well respected brand of calibration tools too.

One of the cool features of the Spyder software is being able to use your own image files in a before and after comparison of the new monitor settings profile vs the uncalibrated profile. When you see it on your own images, you get a real sense of why you chose to calibrate in the first place.

A display analysis feature lets you evaluate and compare the performance of all of your laptop and desktop monitors. After all, you don’t want to start on one computer in the field, and have every adjusting just ever so slightly off when you switch to your desktop computer set up. (BTW, as a side note, you can use an external monitor with many mid priced and higher end laptops. You aren’t stuck with an 18” or smaller screen.)

The software guides you through every step of the calibration process. It is extremely easy to use and offers a simple step by step wizard plus advanced options for the serious photographer. There are even easy to understand explanations for terms and for each part of the calibration.

The price was nice, too. For the price of a couple of large memory cards, you can have the peace of mind that you aren’t showing a magenta tinted snowbank to every one visiting your website or online portfolio. Overall a great pick and comes highly recommended!

2. X-Rite i1Display Pro – Display Calibration (EODIS3) Review

X-Rite is another very trusted brand for calibration tools. This higher priced tool has some added features that you may find yourself needing.

One of those features is the mobile device setting capability. It works with Apple iOS and with Android. So, if you use your tablet in the field to monitor your job progress, or perhaps you use your smartphone to display your portfolio to prospective clients, this is one of the best monitor calibration tools for those purposes.

Another very useful feature is the Pantone spot color optimization tool. Pantone is one of the most used color management systems in the world of graphic design, commercial printing, and manufacturing. As a photographer, you can make sure to optimize the color profile to accurately reproduce a brand’s proprietary color.

Besides the Pantone software tool, there is a nifty gadget that comes with the X-Rite calibrator. A pocket sized, well, maybe gadget bag sized for some with smaller pockets, version of the MacBeth color checker. Open it up and set in the field of view of the image you are taking, and then you can be sure of very accurate color rendition in post processing. Be sure to remove it from the scene for the images you are actually going to print or sell.

In basic mode, the software runs quickly. It really isn’t all that hard with any of these tools. The software has advanced mode as well. Really fine tune your displays, use the Pantone spot color optimization for that important and demanding client. Tweak your own particular preferences for your unique photographic style.

This calibration tool is a little more expensive than others, but it’s worth it if you need any of those specialty features. The portable color checker adds in value, too.

3. X-Rite ColorMunki Smile (CMUNSML) Review

For photo hobbyists, design enthusiasts, gamers and web viewing, ColorMunki Smile is a cost effective way to calibrate your monitors for better color and performance.

Besides the device and the software, it also comes with video tutorials, ready to view. Quite helpful for nervous hobbyists just beginning to think of monitor calibration needs.

Be sure to download the most recent version of the software. It should prompt you to do so, but if it doesn’t, simply follow the software instructions.

Even with a simplified interface, there is a lot to work with. It also supports Apple iOS, so your Apple mobile devices can be matched to your other computers.

It’s missing some advanced software functions, and it doesn’t come with that portable color checker, but for the price, I can’t imagine a hobbyist photographer feeling shortchanged.

4. X-Rite ColorMunki (CMUNDISCCPP) Review

Professional, advanced results, with a simple to operate software interface. What’s not to love? Well, it does cost a fair bit more than some other, mostly comparable calibration tools.

But, you get a lot of functions and an easy way to access them with this device and software.

Using the color checker passport alone will change your photography forever. It is really quite remarkable just how bad the white balance of your camera is sometimes. Use this wonderful little tool as often as you can. Besides what we already mentioned here, there are some online tutorials that walk you through how best to that.

Calibrating really is simple with this software. Simply let it guide you through each step with the wizard. If you wish to dig deep into the software and the tools available, by all means do so. This is a great device and the software is, too.

Use this calibration tool to create a profile for any digital projectors you use, too. Designers are used to this thought, but sometimes we photographers forget about it. If we display via a projector for any reason, it should be calibrated for best display accuracy.

5. Datacolor DC S3P100 Spyder 3 Pro Review

One of the big deals about this tool is that it measures the largest area of screen of all of these best monitor calibration tools. That can mean a higher level of accuracy on certain types of screens.

A large suction cup and a counterweight adds to the physical versatility of this tool. If you on a curved display, even this bigger suction cup might not hold the device. Hand holding the device is easy enough, it’s lightweight, but getting to the settings might prove to be problematic. You can always dangle it over the screen with the cord.

New software enhancements are something to look at, too. More precise control over white point and gamma, a new option cuts re-calibration time in half, and the SpyderProof function is an enhanced level of color control that can help save time and money in printing.

The SpyderProof function gives you a series of select images to evaluate detail. It’s available for each unique printer profile that you create, giving you another valuable tool for managing your prints. Yeah, until I looked up this new feature on their website, I had forgotten about creating color profiles for my printer! Back to work!

Designed specifically with digital photographers in mind, the software won’t confuse you or take you on side trips that aren’t necessary for your calibration.

Priced right about in the middle of the best monitor calibration tools, a professional or an advanced amateur photographer will find it a bargain for what it brings to table.

Best Mac Monitor Calibration Software For Photographers

If you are a professional photographer, there are some basic unspoken rules that can help you out. Good for advanced hobbyist, too. Maybe we should get into the habit of speaking about some of these of things. They aren’t industry secrets, but it sometimes surprises me to see a fellow photographer struggling with something that is easy to fix.

Create an online presence. A website, a portfolio, a spot on Behance or Flickr. Even if you specialize in silver halide film photography only, an online presence allows you to really sell yourself to a client or attract new clients.

Insure yourself and your stuff. One small accident can result in a ton of trouble. Be sure you’re covered. Some photographic memberships you can subscribe to come with a moderate level of insurance. It’s not just your equipment, we have to concern ourselves with liability also. To learn more about photography, check out my guide on some great online photograph courses.

Best Mac Monitor Calibration Software Free

Calibrate your monitors! Industry standards are just that, a standard. Be as creative as you want to be, but start out with the most accurate view possible of all your images.

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