Migraine Mode vs f.lux: screen warmth vs a full calm mode

Updated 2026-11-02

Quick answerf.lux is a free app that warms your whole screen's color to match the time of day. It works system-wide, not just in the browser. Migraine Mode only changes web pages but adds dimming, dark mode and stopped motion. Studies found amber light no gentler than white in migraine, so heavy warmth isn't a goal.

f.lux

  • Free; works on the whole screen.
  • Changes color temperature by time of day.

Migraine Mode

  • Works only inside Chrome on websites.
  • Soft-green tint based on migraine light studies.
  • Dimming, smart dark mode, paused GIFs and blocked autoplay.

Evidence

  • Noseda 2016: amber light worsened headache about as much as white.
  • Xie 2024: very warm 2800 K screens caused the most fatigue.

FAQ

Is f.lux good for migraine?

It hasn't been tested for migraine; warm screens may still feel better to some.

Can I use f.lux and Migraine Mode together?

Yes. Set Migraine Mode's tint to none if colors look too strong.

Sources

  • f.lux (official site). Link
  • Noseda R, … Burstein R. Migraine photophobia originating in cone-driven retinal pathways. Brain, 2016. Link
  • Effects of screen color mode and color temperature on visual fatigue under different ambient illuminations. Int J Hum–Comput Interact, 2024. Link

Not a medical device and not medical advice. Migraine Mode is a screen-comfort tool: it does not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent migraine or any other condition, and it does not replace a doctor. Its settings are based on studies of light, colour, flicker, patterns and motion; the extension itself has not been clinically tested. When to see a doctor.