F.lux 4.6

Free Reduces the negative effects of working in front of a computer monitor
4.5 
Rating
Your vote:
Latest version:
4.134 See all
Developer:
Screenshots
1 / 16
Awards (9)
Show all awards
Software Informer Editor Rating 4 Software Informer User Rating 4
Download
Free   752 KB

f.lux can help reduce the negative effects of working in front of a computer monitor. It has been designed to adjust your screen´s color temperature and brightness in relation to your location and time of the day. Moreover, it takes into account the type of lighting used in the room you are in. The program is based on studies about the psychological and physiological effects of light. Thus, the tool increases brightness in the morning and reduces blue light after the sun goes down. This prevents such harmful consequences as insomnia and drowsiness.

The tool uses a graph to show the body´s circadian response, which you can adjust according to the time you usually wake up. Likewise, you can set it to use your preferred color combination. In this respect, it is good to know that there are some intended, for example, to reduce eye strain and increase productivity when you are working late. The program runs from the system tray and does the rest of the job automatically so that you do not need to worry about recalibrating your screen´s luminosity anymore. There is at least one thing, however, that could make the tool a little better. In my opinion, it could automatically get your location provided you agree with that.

All in all, f.lux is a very simple tool but it is also very popular. It has versions for Windows, Linux, Android, iPhone, and Mac, so you will not miss it when you switch between these operating systems. Finally, it is excellent news that it is free.

PC Senior editor
Pedro Castro
Editor rating:
rating

Review summary

Pros

  • Works automatically
  • Comes with various presets
  • Adapts light to your location and time of the day
  • Versions for various platforms

Cons

  • Cannot get your location automatically

Comments (10)

4.5
Rating
109 votes
5 stars
80
4 stars
16
3 stars
4
2 stars
4
1 stars
4
User

Your vote:

D
rating donkeybrain
Here's an honest bit of distasteful information (for some) - I smoke Meth, so I can and have spent up to 48 hours straight looking at a pc screen at full brightness/gaming etc.

f.lux literally is gives me less thing to worry about - my eyes stay un-strained and relatively relaxed. Without it I get a consistent pain/irritation that slowly builds and builds.

Sad story, but whatever, thanks f.lux - just thought you should know you're helping out.

Was it helpful?  yes(3) no(0) | Reply
M
rating Mubashar Iqbal
Excellent software.

Was it helpful?  yes(1) no(0) | Reply
M
Excellent software. Highly recommended for those working late at night, trying to limit the 'blue light' that can affect the quality of your sleep. The reason for leaving 1 Star off, is because I work in Graphic Design where color accuracy is key. It is simple enough to temporarily turn off f.lux with one click for one hour, but I would truly love to see something implemented that can be triggered by launching Photoshop, for example, that f.lux would automatically revert to default coloring/lighting. I've forgotten to turn if on/off too many times and I've been disappointed that I didn't catch it at the time.

That is strangely, one of the great things about f.lux - that after the initial oddity of everything being shifted in colors at different times of the day... after a while, your body simply gets used to it and you really don't even notice it working in the background. I has been a lifesaver for my eyes while doing late-night projects, and found myself naturally getting tired earlier than I would've before - subtle, but very effective!

I look forward to more improvements and additions to the software in the future. I hope they don't forget about Windows users, as it seems (and I may be wrong) that much of the attention is focused on the Mac community in terms of improvements and updates.

Was it helpful?  yes(4) no(0) | Reply

Related software

Blue Jet Button
Blue Jet Button
rating

Reliable tool-bar style application.

Moon Light Animated Wallpaper
Moon Light Animated Wallpaper
rating

The animated image of the night sky with the full moon and flying clouds.

Good Night PC
Good Night PC
rating

Small and effective utility to shutdown your computer.

Night Cityscapes Free Screensaver
Night Cityscapes Free Screensaver
Free
rating

Night Cityscapes Free Screensaver displays images of famous cityscapes at night.

Panoramic Calibration Utility
Panoramic Calibration Utility
Free
rating

Panoramic Utility can provide the capability to create calibration files.

Related suggestions

Free texting app for playstation 3