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Head-to-head · Desktop Wallpaper Software

Lively Wallpaper vs Waywallen

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Lively Wallpaper #1 in Desktop Wallpaper Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Try Lively Wallpaper
Waywallen #7 in Desktop Wallpaper Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Waywallen

Lively Wallpaper leads on 0 checks, Waywallen on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreLively Wallpaper · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresWaywallen · 6 of 6

Lively Wallpaper scores higher on our rubric for desktop wallpaper software: 9.3 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

On platform coverage, Waywallen gives you Linux where Lively Wallpaper offers Windows.

Lively Wallpaper is the better fit for windows users wanting a broad free feature set. Waywallen is the better fit for linux users across multiple desktop environments.

  • Lively Wallpaper fits best

    Windows users wanting a broad free feature set

  • Waywallen fits best

    Linux users across multiple desktop environments

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Side by side

Feature Lively Wallpaper 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Waywallen 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.7
Ranking #1 in Desktop Wallpaper Software #7 in Desktop Wallpaper Software
Best for Windows users wanting a broad free feature set Linux users across multiple desktop environments
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms Windows Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 4 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Lively Wallpaper 5/6 · Waywallen 6/6
Live wallpapers ✓ ✓
Automatic rotation Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Multi-monitor support ✓ ✓
Video wallpapers ✓ ✓
Interactive wallpapers ✓ ✓
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 images, videos, scenes, web content, and playlists
  • Works with KDE Plasma, GNOME, Hyprland, Niri, Wayfire, COSMIC, and Sway
  • Includes multi-monitor control and Vulkan or VA-API video decoding
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
  • Platform support is limited to Linux
  • Wallpaper Engine scenes and web support require a third-party plugin
  • Mouse input is available only through supported desktop integrations
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 →

Waywallen is an open-source wallpaper manager for Linux desktop environments. It is aimed at users who want more than static backgrounds, with support for image wallpapers, video playback, playlists, Wallhaven, web content, and Wallpaper…

Read the review →
  1. Lively WallpaperDesktop Wallpaper Software 9.3Free plan
  2. WaywallenDesktop Wallpaper Software 8.7Free plan

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

  • Waywallen — where it wins

    • Supports images, videos, scenes, web content, and playlists
    • Works with KDE Plasma, GNOME, Hyprland, Niri, Wayfire, COSMIC, and Sway
    • Includes multi-monitor control and Vulkan or VA-API video decoding

    Where it doesn't

    • Platform support is limited to Linux
    • Wallpaper Engine scenes and web support require a third-party plugin
    • Mouse input is available only through supported desktop integrations

More comparisons

All desktop wallpaper software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update