Fresco review
A free, open-source Linux wallpaper app with broad live-wallpaper and monitor controls.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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. The GTK interface works with X11 and selected Wayland compositors, including COSMIC, Hyprland, Sway, and KDE Plasma 6. A Chrome extension adds a browser new-tab companion alongside the desktop application.
Its strongest area is control over playback and wallpaper behavior. Fresco can use hardware-accelerated playback through VA-API or NVDEC, while fullscreen and battery-aware auto-pause provide ways to reduce unnecessary playback. Automatic day and night schedules, wallpaper restoration on login, and per-monitor settings make it suitable for varied desktop routines. The crop and rotate editor, built-in wallpaper catalog, and playlist support add useful management features without narrowing the app to a single wallpaper format.
Fresco also extends wallpapers with optional synchronized lyrics, a clock, an audio visualizer, and album-art widgets. MPRIS and LRCLIB integrations support its media-related features, giving the app a stronger connection to music playback than a basic wallpaper utility. It is a good fit for Linux users who want a complete live-wallpaper application with scheduling, multi-monitor support, performance controls, and media widgets. Users seeking broad operating-system coverage or Wayland compatibility beyond the listed compositors should consider a different wallpaper application.
Fresco pros and cons
- 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
Fresco fact sheet, pricing and score →
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