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Head-to-head · Desktop Widget Software

Rainmeter vs Themia

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Rainmeter #2 in Desktop Widget Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Rainmeter
Themia #4 in Desktop Widget Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Themia

Rainmeter leads on 0 checks, Themia on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreRainmeter · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresThemia · 5 of 5

Rainmeter scores higher on our rubric for desktop widget software: 9.3 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Rainmeter is the better fit for windows users wanting a free skin ecosystem. Themia is the better fit for windows users integrating work and personal services.

  • Rainmeter fits best

    Windows users wanting a free skin ecosystem

  • Themia fits best

    Windows users integrating work and personal services

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Side by side

Feature Rainmeter 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Themia 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.8
Ranking #2 in Desktop Widget Software #4 in Desktop Widget Software
Best for Windows users wanting a free skin ecosystem Windows users integrating work and personal services
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free $19 one-time
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Community, Docs Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Enterprise
Features Rainmeter 4/5 · Themia 5/5
System monitoring ✓ ✓
Custom layouts ✓ ✓
Weather widgets ✓ ✓
Calendar widgets Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Feed widgets ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms Windows Windows
Widget categories memory, battery, RSS feeds, weather forecasts, notes, to-do lists, application launchers, media-player controls Office, Online, System, Themia, Layout, Others
Our review
Pros
  • Free and fully open source under the GNU GPL v2 license
  • Covers system data, weather, RSS, notes, launchers, and media controls
  • Includes tools for creating and editing custom desktop skins
  • Multiple screens with switchable, customizable layouts
  • Unified Outlook, Microsoft 365, and Gmail inboxes
  • Broad support for Google, Microsoft, CalDAV, IMAP, RSS, and more
Cons
  • Supports Windows rather than multiple desktop platforms
  • Customization may require more configuration than a simple widget app
  • Its feature set is delivered through configurable skins rather than one fixed interface
  • Windows-only availability
  • Free plan limits widgets and screens
  • Connected widgets require internet access to refresh
Our verdict

Rainmeter is a free, open-source desktop customization tool for Windows users who want configurable information and controls on their desktop. Its skins can display memory and battery data, weather forecasts, and RSS feeds, while also…

Read the review →

Themia is a Windows desktop widget application for people who want email, calendars, files, weather, system statistics, tasks, feeds, and other information arranged on the desktop. It supports multiple screens, switchable layouts,…

Read the review →
  1. RainmeterDesktop Widget Software 9.3Free plan
  2. ThemiaDesktop Widget Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Rainmeter — where it wins

    • Free and fully open source under the GNU GPL v2 license
    • Covers system data, weather, RSS, notes, launchers, and media controls
    • Includes tools for creating and editing custom desktop skins

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports Windows rather than multiple desktop platforms
    • Customization may require more configuration than a simple widget app
    • Its feature set is delivered through configurable skins rather than one fixed interface

  • Themia — where it wins

    • Multiple screens with switchable, customizable layouts
    • Unified Outlook, Microsoft 365, and Gmail inboxes
    • Broad support for Google, Microsoft, CalDAV, IMAP, RSS, and more

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only availability
    • Free plan limits widgets and screens
    • Connected widgets require internet access to refresh

More comparisons

All desktop widget software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update