Solace vs NightOwl: Which Dark Mode App Is Safer for Mac?

What is NightOwl and what happened to it?

NightOwl launched in 2018 as a simple, free macOS utility for toggling dark mode. Created by developer Benjamin Kramser, the app let users schedule automatic switching between light and dark modes based on time of day or sunset. It was well-regarded in the Mac community, recommended on sites like MacRumors and ProductHunt, and filled a gap that macOS Mojave's built-in dark mode left open.

That changed in November 2022, when Kramser sold NightOwl to a company called TPE.FYI LLC. According to public business records, TPE.FYI was established in September 2018 but was dissolved by March 2023 - raising immediate red flags about the entity behind the acquisition.

In June 2023, the new owners released NightOwl version 0.4.5.4. Web developer Taylor Robinson discovered that this update installed a local HTTP proxy on users' Macs and connected to remote SSH servers via domains linked to squidyproxy.com. The app was silently routing third-party internet traffic through users' devices without their knowledge or consent.

According to Intego's analysis, this proxy behaviour could not be disabled even when the app was quit. The new owners confirmed the arrangement in a statement: "We have partnered with a respected residential proxy service to monetize NightOwl. We added their SDK to the backend of the app that allows our partner's users to send some requests through NightOwl user's IP address."

Security experts classified the app as a potentially unwanted application (PUA). Gizmodo, Tom's Guide, How-To Geek, and BGR all published warnings urging users to uninstall immediately. Apple subsequently revoked NightOwl's code-signing certificate, blocking the app from running on macOS.

With 82% of smartphone users now using dark mode globally (Gitnux, 2024), the NightOwl scandal left thousands of Mac users searching for a safe alternative.

What is Solace and how is it different?

Solace is a macOS appearance manager built with a fundamentally different philosophy: the product is the product, not your data. It handles four aspects of display comfort in a single app - dark mode scheduling, colour temperature, wallpaper syncing, and weather-aware switching - for a one-time payment of $4.99.

Where NightOwl offered basic dark mode toggling and then monetised users through hidden proxy software, Solace has a transparent business model: you pay once, and the app works forever with no subscriptions, no ads, and no hidden data collection.

Solace's feature set includes:

• Dark mode scheduling - switch based on solar position, custom times, or weather conditions
• Evening warmth - colour temperature reduction using native macOS APIs to reduce blue light exposure
• Wallpaper syncing - separate wallpapers for light and dark mode, changing automatically with your schedule
• Weather-aware switching - adapts appearance based on real-time local conditions
• Global keyboard shortcut - toggle everything instantly from any app
• Multi-display support - consistent behaviour across all connected monitors
• Zero data collection - all location data processed on-device, no analytics, no telemetry, no server communication

Research from Harvard Health found that blue light suppresses melatonin for twice as long as green light and shifts circadian rhythms by 3 hours. Solace addresses this directly through its evening warmth feature, which works alongside dark mode scheduling to reduce overall screen strain during nighttime use.

A survey by forms.app found that 64.6% of users want automatic dark mode switching based on time of day. NightOwl offered this but compromised user security in the process. Solace delivers the same automation - and more - without any compromise.

How do NightOwl and Solace compare on features?

NightOwl was a single-feature app: dark mode toggling. Solace covers four areas of display management. The table below shows the detailed comparison. Even ignoring the security issues, Solace offers substantially more functionality.

Is NightOwl safe to use in 2026?

No. NightOwl is not safe and should not be installed on any Mac. Here is why:

• Code-signing certificate revoked - Apple revoked NightOwl's developer certificate, meaning macOS will block the app from launching even if you have a previously downloaded copy
• Proxy software cannot be disabled - the residential proxy SDK embedded in version 0.4.5.4 continued routing traffic even when the app was quit, according to security researchers
• No active development - the last update was June 2023, and the company behind the acquisition (TPE.FYI LLC) was dissolved in March 2023
• Classified as PUA - multiple security vendors and publications classify NightOwl as a potentially unwanted application
• Original developer distanced himself - Benjamin Kramser has publicly stated he has no involvement with the app since the sale

According to DemandSage (2026), the average American now spends 7 hours and 2 minutes per day looking at screens. Running compromised software during that screen time exposes your device to significant security risks, including the potential for your IP address to be used for fraudulent activity without your knowledge.

If NightOwl is still on your Mac, remove it completely. Delete the app from Applications, then check ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ for any remaining launch agents. A clean alternative is essential.

When should you choose Solace over NightOwl?

The short answer is: always. NightOwl is compromised software with no path to recovery. But beyond the security issue, Solace is the better choice on pure functionality. Choose Solace if:

• Privacy matters to you - Solace collects zero data. Location is processed entirely on-device for weather and solar calculations. There is no analytics, no telemetry, and no server communication
• You want more than basic dark mode toggling - Solace adds colour temperature, wallpaper syncing, weather-aware switching, and keyboard shortcuts that NightOwl never offered
• You need a transparent business model - NightOwl was free because it secretly monetised users through proxy traffic. Solace costs $4.99 once, and that is the entire business model
• You use multiple monitors - Solace handles multi-display setups natively, which NightOwl did not support
• You want active development - Solace is regularly updated for the latest macOS versions. NightOwl has been abandoned since mid-2023

A study published in the Journal of Optometry (2023) found that 66% of digital device users are affected by Computer Vision Syndrome - symptoms including eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision. Proper dark mode scheduling and colour temperature management can help reduce these symptoms, which is exactly what Solace is designed to do.

The National Sleep Foundation (2022) reports that 58% of Americans look at screens within an hour before bedtime. Solace's combination of automatic dark mode switching and evening warmth is specifically designed for this use case - reducing blue light and visual contrast during the hours that matter most for sleep quality.

The verdict: NightOwl vs Solace

This is not a close comparison. NightOwl was a useful free utility until its new owners turned it into a vehicle for routing third-party traffic through users' Macs. Apple revoked its certificate, security researchers flagged it as malware, and the app has been abandoned since 2023. It should not be installed on any Mac.

Solace replaces NightOwl's core feature - dark mode scheduling - and adds colour temperature control, wallpaper syncing, weather-aware switching, global keyboard shortcuts, and multi-display support. It collects zero data, costs $4.99 once, and is actively maintained for the latest macOS versions.

Bottom line: If you are a former NightOwl user, or if you are searching for a dark mode app you can trust, Solace is the clear choice. It does everything NightOwl did and significantly more, without any security concerns. The $4.99 price is not a cost - it is a guarantee that you are the customer, not the product.

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