Lively Wallpaper vs Fresco

Lively Wallpaper9.3Visit Fresco8.8Visit

Higher score Lively Wallpaper #1 in Desktop Wallpaper Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Try Lively Wallpaper

vs

Fresco #6 in Desktop Wallpaper Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Fresco

• Lively Wallpaper fits best

  Windows users wanting a broad free feature set

• Fresco fits best

  Linux users wanting a complete live-wallpaper app

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Side by side

Feature	Lively Wallpaper 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Fresco 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Desktop Wallpaper Software	#6 in Desktop Wallpaper Software
Best for	Windows users wanting a broad free feature set	Linux users wanting a complete live-wallpaper app
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop, Browser extension
Platforms	Windows	Linux, Chrome extension
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Integrations	4 integrations	2 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Lively Wallpaper 5/6 · Fresco 5/6
Live wallpapers	✓	✓
Automatic rotation	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Multi-monitor support	✓	✓
Video wallpapers	✓	✓
Interactive wallpapers	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Performance controls	✓	✓
Specs
Platform coverage	Windows	Linux
Our review
Pros	Supports video, GIF, web, shader, stream and interactive wallpapers Includes multi-monitor layouts and configurable playback rules Free, open-source software with AutoHotkey, Unity, Godot and Shadertoy integrations	Supports video, GIF, image, slideshow, and playlist wallpapers Per-monitor settings, scheduling, fullscreen pause, and battery-aware pausing Free and open source with VA-API or NVDEC playback acceleration
Cons	Supports Windows rather than multiple desktop operating systems The feature set is focused on wallpaper and screensaver customization Only a Free plan is listed, without separate paid tiers	Desktop support is focused on Linux Wayland support covers selected compositors The browser companion is provided as a Chrome extension
Our verdict	Lively Wallpaper is a free, open-source Windows application for animated and interactive desktop backgrounds. It is aimed at Windows users who want more than static images, with support for video and GIF files, webpages, shaders, streams,… Read the review →	Fresco is a free, open-source desktop wallpaper application for Linux users who want more than a static background. It supports video, GIF, image, slideshow, and playlist wallpapers, with per-monitor configuration for multi-display setups.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Lively Wallpaper — where it wins

  • Supports video, GIF, web, shader, stream and interactive wallpapers
  • Includes multi-monitor layouts and configurable playback rules
  • Free, open-source software with AutoHotkey, Unity, Godot and Shadertoy integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Supports Windows rather than multiple desktop operating systems
  • The feature set is focused on wallpaper and screensaver customization
  • Only a Free plan is listed, without separate paid tiers

• Fresco — where it wins

  • Supports video, GIF, image, slideshow, and playlist wallpapers
  • Per-monitor settings, scheduling, fullscreen pause, and battery-aware pausing
  • Free and open source with VA-API or NVDEC playback acceleration

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop support is focused on Linux
  • Wayland support covers selected compositors
  • The browser companion is provided as a Chrome extension

• Lively Wallpaper9.3/10 · Free plan

  A feature-rich free wallpaper app for Windows users who want animated, interactive desktops.

  Try Lively WallpaperFull verdict →
• Fresco8.8/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source Linux wallpaper app with broad live-wallpaper and monitor controls.

  Visit FrescoFull verdict →