Head-to-head · Desktop Widget Software
Eww vs DeskDash
Eww leads on 1 check, DeskDash on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreEww · 7.7/10
- Free planonly Eww
- Most featuresDeskDash · 4 of 5
Eww scores higher on our rubric for desktop widget software: 7.7 against 7.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #14 and #19.
Eww offers free plan; DeskDash doesn't. On supported platforms, Eww gives you Linux where DeskDash offers Windows.
Eww is the better fit for linux power users who code their widgets. DeskDash is the better fit for windows users wanting polished wallpaper-level widgets.
- Eww fits best
Linux power users who code their widgets
- DeskDash fits best
Windows users wanting polished wallpaper-level widgets
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Side by side
| Feature | Eww 7.7/10 Visit ↗ | DeskDash 7.2/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.7 | 7.2 |
| Ranking | #14 in Desktop Widget Software | #19 in Desktop Widget Software |
| Best for | Linux power users who code their widgets | Windows users wanting polished wallpaper-level widgets |
| Pricing model | Free | Paid |
| Starting price | Free plan | €10 one-time |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Linux | Windows |
| Support | Community, Docs | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features Eww 3/5 · DeskDash 4/5 | ||
| System monitoring | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom layouts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weather widgets | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Calendar widgets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Feed widgets | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Linux | Windows |
| Widget categories | combo-box-text, expander, revealer, checkbox, color-button, color-chooser, scale, progress, input, button, image, box, overlay, tooltip, centerbox, scroll, eventbox, label, literal, calendar, stack, transform, circular-progress, graph | clock, system monitoring, weather, calendar, media controls, notes, calculator, system controls, taskbar |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Eww, short for ElKowar's Wacky Widgets, is an open-source desktop widget system for Linux. It lets users create widgets independently of their window manager, using the Yuck configuration language and CSS or SCSS for styling. The project… Read the review → |
DeskDash is a Windows desktop application for individuals and small teams that want a customizable workspace built directly into the desktop wallpaper. Widgets sit behind normal windows and can be arranged, resized, restyled and stacked.… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Eww — where it wins
- Open-source and free to use
- Supports both X11 and Wayland builds
- Offers broad widget and system-monitoring primitives
Where it doesn't
- Linux-only platform support
- Requires Yuck plus CSS or SCSS configuration
- Developer-oriented workflow may not suit casual customization
DeskDash — where it wins
- Wallpaper-level placement with drag, resize, restyle and stacking
- Built-in marketplace plus HTML, CSS and JavaScript widget development
- Monitoring, weather, calendar and media controls in one dashboard
Where it doesn't
- Windows-only; Mac and Linux are planned but unsupported currently
- No free plan for evaluating the product
- Early-access pricing may increase after the first 100 buyers
- Eww7.7/10 · Free plan
A flexible open-source widget system for Linux users who want to code their desktop.
Visit EwwFull verdict → - DeskDash7.2/10 · Paid
A polished, one-time-purchase widget dashboard for Windows desktops.
Visit DeskDashFull verdict →
All desktop widget software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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