Thinking of purchasing a monitor? This Mac application can uncover issues before the return period ends.

      Your new monitor may seem flawless, but it’s always wise to conduct a follow-up check.

      Purchasing a new tech item doesn't guarantee that it will work flawlessly. However, a small Mac application named Screen Test can assist you in identifying defects before it's too late. Screen Test (version 1.1) is a native macOS tool that offers over 25 patterns and diagnostic tools to evaluate both built-in and external displays. It can help detect dead or stuck pixels, backlight bleed, and various other problems. The app functions entirely offline, so there's no need to depend on web browsers or an internet connection.

      Every pixel is examined

      Screen Test fills the display with meticulously chosen colors, grids, grayscale transitions, and other patterns that make it easier to notice minor panel defects. A solid-color cycle can reveal pixels that are permanently off or stuck in one color, while consistent gray and black screens can uncover backlight bleeding and uneven brightness across the panel.

      Version 1.1 comes with seven additional tools:

      - An automated dead-pixel cycle

      - A text-resolution chart

      - A motion-blur and ghosting test

      - Customizable solid-color fills

      - Checkerboard contrast patterns

      - Grayscale transitions

      - Editable text for sharpness evaluation.

      The motion test is particularly beneficial for assessing a gaming monitor, where slow pixel transitions can leave trails behind moving objects. Text patterns can also highlight subpixel rendering or sharpness issues that may become apparent during regular work, even when games and videos seem satisfactory.

      Four dollars could safeguard a much larger investment

      Most core features are available for free. A one-time purchase of $3.99 unlocks the remaining advanced functionalities, without a recurring subscription. The Mac App Store lists the download at just 1.5MB and requires macOS 14 or later. According to Apple’s privacy label, the developer does not collect any data from the app.

      Screen Test cannot automatically certify a display or provide the numerical accuracy measurements generated by a colorimeter. The developer refers to the results as visual guidance and cautions that the app does not replace professional testing devices. Nonetheless, it can be useful when purchasing an external monitor, a new MacBook, or a pre-owned display.

      Vikhyaat Vivek is a tech journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience in covering consumer hardware, with a focus on...

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