Best Spice Alternatives in 2026
The top Spice alternatives are Lively Wallpaper, DesktopHut and Wallpaper Engine: 15 desktop wallpaper software our editors would look at instead of Spice, in our ranking order.
Spice: A paid wallpaper manager with broad art sources, smart cropping, and multi-display controls. Where it falls short: no free plan is available.
Switching from Spice? For most desktop wallpaper software buyers the best Spice alternative is Lively Wallpaper, built for windows users wanting a broad free feature set.
Why People Look for a Spice Alternative
- No free plan is available
- Live, video, and interactive wallpapers are not supported
- The Mac version requires macOS 12.0 or later and Apple M1 or later
- No free plan — 10 of the alternatives below have it
- No live wallpapers — 15 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallLively Wallpaper9.3
Windows users wanting a broad free feature set
Visit Lively Wallpaper - Best free optionLively Wallpaper9.3
Has a free plan (Spice has none)
Visit Lively Wallpaper - Best for live wallpapersLively Wallpaper9.3
Live wallpapers (Spice: no)
Visit Lively Wallpaper
All 15 Spice Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forWindows users wanting a broad free feature set
- Better than Spice:
- Free plan
- Live wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
A feature-rich free wallpaper app for Windows users who want animated, interactive desktops.
- Interactive wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
- Performance controls
9.3/10★★★★★Try Lively Wallpaper -
Best forFree Windows users who want easy live wallpapers
- Better than Spice:
- Free plan
- Live wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
A capable free choice for Windows users who want flexible live wallpapers.
- Interactive wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
- Performance controls
9.2/10★★★★★Visit DesktopHut -
Best forPower users wanting a large wallpaper ecosystem
- Better than Spice:
- Live wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
- Interactive wallpapers
A broad wallpaper platform for power users who want creation tools and control.
- Interactive wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
- Performance controls
9.1/10★★★★★Try Wallpaper Engine -
Best forWindows and Mac users wanting interactive wallpapers
- Better than Spice:
- Free plan
- Live wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
A focused wallpaper app with strong display controls and performance options.
- Interactive wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
- Performance controls
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Vivid Walls -
Best forUsers wanting broad platform coverage and scheduling
- Better than Spice:
- Live wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.0
A broad wallpaper manager for scheduled, multi-display backgrounds across major platforms.
- Video wallpapers
- Performance controls
- Live wallpapers
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Palace -
Best forLinux users wanting a complete live-wallpaper app
- Better than Spice:
- Free plan
- Live wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
A free, open-source Linux wallpaper app with broad live-wallpaper and monitor controls.
- Video wallpapers
- Performance controls
- Live wallpapers
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Fresco -
Best forLinux users across multiple desktop environments
- Better than Spice:
- Free plan
- Live wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
A broad, open-source wallpaper manager for Linux desktop environments.
- Interactive wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
- Performance controls
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Waywallen -
Best forWindows users focused on video playlists
- Better than Spice:
- Free plan
- Live wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
A focused Windows wallpaper manager with playlists, multi-monitor profiles and performance controls.
- Video wallpapers
- Performance controls
- Live wallpapers
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit PUSH -
Best forWindows users needing advanced wallpaper automation
- Better than Spice:
- Live wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
- Interactive wallpapers
Advanced Windows wallpaper automation with live formats, effects, and multi-monitor control.
- Interactive wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
- Performance controls
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit BioniX -
Best forWindows users wanting AI wallpaper creation
- Better than Spice:
- Live wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
- Editor score 8.4 vs 8.0
A Windows-focused wallpaper tool combining display controls, effects, playlists, and local AI.
- Video wallpapers
- Live wallpapers
- Automatic rotation
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Stardock -
Best forRazer users wanting free wallpapers and creation tools
- Better than Spice:
- Free plan
- Live wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
A free Windows wallpaper app for Razer users who want motion, playlists, and creation tools.
- Video wallpapers
- Live wallpapers
- Automatic rotation
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Razer Axon -
Best forLinux and Mac users wanting backend flexibility
- Better than Spice:
- Free plan
- Live wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
A free, open-source wallpaper manager with GUI, CLI, multi-monitor, and backend flexibility.
- Interactive wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
- Performance controls
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Waypaper -
Best forLinux users wanting live wallpapers and theme generation
- Better than Spice:
- Live wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
- Editor score 8.1 vs 8.0
A focused Linux wallpaper manager with live content, multi-monitor controls, and theme generation.
- Video wallpapers
- Performance controls
- Live wallpapers
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Walltone -
Best forMac users wanting free interactive web wallpapers
- Better than Spice:
- Free plan
- Live wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
A free macOS wallpaper app with video, interactive web, and multi-screen support.
- Interactive wallpapers
- Video wallpapers
- Performance controls
7.9/10★★★★☆Try MuGen Wallpaper -
Best forMac users who want websites as backgrounds
- Better than Spice:
- Free plan
- Live wallpapers
- Interactive wallpapers
A free Mac utility for interactive, automated website-based desktop backgrounds.
- Interactive wallpapers
- Performance controls
- Live wallpapers
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Plash
Spice Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Spice?
Lively Wallpaper: #1 in our Desktop Wallpaper Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A feature-rich free wallpaper app for Windows users who want animated, interactive desktops.
Is there a free alternative to Spice?
Yes. Lively Wallpaper, DesktopHut, Vivid Walls, Fresco and Waywallen have a free plan or a free tier (11 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Spice alternatives?
No free plan is available; Live, video, and interactive wallpapers are not supported; The Mac version requires macOS 12.0 or later and Apple M1 or later.
How do I switch from Spice?
Export your data from Spice (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Spice.
How to Switch from Spice
- Export your data from Spice (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Spice.
Spice vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Platform coverage | Live wallpapers | Automatic rotation | Multi-monitor support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Spice | No | Multi_platform | No | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 1 | Lively Wallpaper | Yes | Free | Windows | Yes | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 2 | DesktopHut | Yes | Free | Multi_platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 |
| 3 | Wallpaper Engine | No | Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 4 | Vivid Walls | Yes | $9.99 one-time | Multi_platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 |
| 5 | Palace | No | $8 one-time | Multi_platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 6 | Fresco | Yes | Free | Linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 |
| 7 | Waywallen | Yes | Free | Linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 8 | PUSH Video Wallpaper | Yes | Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 9 | BioniX Wallpaper Changer | No | Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 10 | DeskScapes | No | Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 11 | Razer Axon | Yes | Free | Multi_platform | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 12 | Waypaper | Yes | Free | Multi_platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 13 | Walltone | Free | Linux | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | ||
| 14 | MuGen Wallpaper | Yes | Macos | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | ||
| 15 | Plash | Yes | Free | Macos | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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