Mac users seeking to personalize their desktops with dynamic and animated wallpapers often encounter a challenge: the popular Windows application, Wallpaper Engine, is not available for macOS. This leaves many in search of viable alternatives that offer similar functionalities. Fortunately, several applications have emerged to fill this gap, providing Mac users with diverse options to enhance their desktop experience.
Understanding Wallpaper Engine and Its Absence on Mac
Wallpaper Engine is a renowned Windows application that enables users to create and apply interactive animated wallpapers. These can range from 2D and 3D animations to videos and even web pages. Its extensive library, supported by the Steam Workshop, offers a vast array of user-generated content, making it a favorite among Windows users.
However, despite its popularity, Wallpaper Engine is not available for macOS. The developers have cited the significant time and resources required to port the application to other platforms as the primary reason for this limitation. This has led Mac users to seek alternative solutions that can provide a comparable experience.
Top Alternatives to Wallpaper Engine for Mac
1. Wallper.app
Wallper.app is a dedicated macOS application designed to offer dynamic and video wallpapers. Users can select from a variety of 4K video wallpapers that automatically start with macOS and run seamlessly in the background. The app supports multiple displays, allowing users to set different wallpapers for each screen. Additionally, Wallper.app offers real-time performance monitoring to ensure that the dynamic wallpapers do not hinder system performance. A free version is available with limited features, while a one-time purchase of $9.99 unlocks a broader selection of wallpapers and functionalities.
2. Cindori Backdrop
Backdrop by Cindori provides 4K video backdrops and interactive Rive scenes rendered at full Retina resolution. It supports multi-monitor setups, enabling users to choose the same or different wallpapers for each display. The application boasts efficient performance, utilizing less than 0.3% of the CPU on an M1 Max MacBook Pro. Backdrop is available under three pricing tiers: $2.99 per month, $9.99 per year, or a lifetime option for $49.99.
3. Wallpaper Wizard 2
Developed by MacPaw, Wallpaper Wizard 2 offers access to a curated collection of over 25,000 4K wallpapers, updated monthly. While it primarily focuses on static images, the app allows users to set different wallpapers for multiple screens and create a rotating list of favorites. Wallpaper Wizard 2 is available for a one-time purchase of $9.99.
4. Dynamic Wallpaper Engine
Dynamic Wallpaper Engine enables users to apply live wallpapers to their desktop and screensaver. It provides thousands of live wallpapers through its workshop, ensuring minimal system resource usage. The app supports multiple screen aspect ratios and resolutions, and allows users to import local videos. Features include playlist creation, global hotkeys, and auto-pause functionalities to optimize performance. Dynamic Wallpaper Engine is available for $4.99.
5. 24 Hour Wallpaper
24 Hour Wallpaper offers over 100 high-resolution wallpapers that change throughout the day to match the time at your location. With its advanced ProTime engine, the app provides smooth transitions, customizable timing, and full support for multi-monitor setups. The app is available for $7.
6. ScreenPlay
ScreenPlay is an open-source, cross-platform application that supports both Windows and macOS. It allows users to display live wallpapers, widgets, and app drawers. Users can choose from inbuilt animated wallpapers or create and share custom wallpapers. ScreenPlay is free to use but requires an active Steam account.
7. Aerial
Aerial is a free and open-source app that displays Apple’s Aerial screensavers as your Mac’s desktop wallpaper. It includes features like displaying weather information and forecasts for your current location. Aerial is compatible with macOS 10.12 or later.
8. Live Wallpapers HD & Weather
This application offers a collection of themed live wallpapers that integrate clock and weather widgets. Users can customize these widgets to suit their preferences. The app also allows users to design live wallpapers from their own photos and images. It is free to use, with in-app purchases available.
9. Splashify
Splashify provides access to thousands of stunning photos taken by professional photographers worldwide, allowing users to set them as their desktop background with a single click. It supports multiple displays and allows users to save and curate their own photos. Splashify is a commercial application available for both Mac and Windows.
10. Desktopr
Desktopr enables users to set websites, social networks, movies, or other content as their Mac desktop background. It provides a simple way to extend your desktop with any type of content, offering several options to achieve the desired result. Desktopr is a commercial application for Mac.
Conclusion
While Wallpaper Engine remains exclusive to Windows, Mac users have a variety of alternatives to choose from, each offering unique features to enhance desktop personalization. Whether you prefer dynamic video wallpapers, curated static images, or interactive scenes, these applications provide ample options to transform your Mac’s desktop into a more engaging and personalized workspace.
