Haptiker alternatives: trackpad volume and brightness apps for Mac
Several Mac apps let you change volume and brightness from the trackpad. They differ in price, trial and scope. Here is a plain comparison, based on what each app publishes about itself.
Based on each app's own website or repository, checked October 2026. Check them for current details.
| App | Price | Trial | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haptiker | $4.99 one-time (launch price) | 7 days, every feature | Edge sliders: volume on the right, brightness on the left (including external monitors on Apple Silicon), keyboard backlight along the top. macOS 12 or later. |
| Slidr | $4.99 one-time; also on Setapp | 3 days | Trackpad edge sliders for volume and brightness, including external monitors via DDC. macOS 13 or later. |
| Glisse | Free, open source (MIT) | Not needed | Trackpad edge sliders for volume and brightness on GitHub. Describes itself as having no trial, licence key, account or telemetry. macOS 13 or later. |
| slidr-free | Free, open source (MIT) | Not needed | Open-source trackpad edge sliders for volume and brightness on GitHub. macOS 13 or later. |
| Sway | Free, open source (MIT) | Not needed | Open-source trackpad edge app with 26 assignable actions, including volume, brightness and keyboard backlight. macOS 13 or later. |
| BetterTouchTool | $15 (2 years of updates) or $25 lifetime; also on Setapp | 45 days | A general tool for customising gestures, shortcuts and input devices. You set up your own volume or brightness gestures. |
| Built into macOS | Included | — | Control Center and the menu bar have sound and display sliders; function keys change volume and brightness. |
Which one should you pick?
- You want it free and are happy with open source: Glisse or slidr-free.
- You already pay for Setapp: Slidr is included there.
- You want to build many custom gestures, not just sliders: BetterTouchTool.
- You want the keyboard backlight on the trackpad too: Haptiker, which puts it on the top edge out of the box with a 7-day trial, or Sway, which lets you assign it as one of its edge actions.
What makes Haptiker different
- A keyboard backlight slider along the top edge, set up out of the box.
- Brightness follows the display under your cursor, external monitors included on Apple Silicon Macs.
- Runs on macOS 12 Monterey or later. The other edge-slider apps here need macOS 13.
- Gesture guards: a slide has to start on the edge, use one finger and run along it.
- Haptic ticks, fine control, double-tap to mute and a cursor that stays put while you adjust.
- A 7-day trial of every feature, then $4.99 once. One license works on up to 3 Macs.