Aerial alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Aerial: mac only, and latest version needs macOS 26 or later. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Aerial, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Fliqlo currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Wallpaper Engine	Paid	No	Windows, Android	5 of 5	52.6

1. Wallpaper EngineTop pick
Best for: Windows users who want the largest library of animated wallpapers and an editor to make their own
PaidWindows, Android
52.6
score / 100
Why switch from Aerial
The pick on Windows for animated video scenes as a wallpaper or screensaver.
Pros
Huge free wallpaper library on the Steam Workshop
Built-in editor for animated scenes
Pauses automatically during games and fullscreen apps
One-time purchase, unlimited PCs
Cons
Windows only on desktop
Needs Steam to get wallpapers and updates
Closed source
Visit Wallpaper Engine Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.346
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Wallpaper Engine a good Aerial alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Pricing
One-time purchase, no subscription
Checked Oct 29, 2026wallpaperengine.io(opens source in a new tab)
Platforms
Windows 10, Windows 11
Checked Oct 29, 2026wallpaperengine.io(opens source in a new tab)
Wallpapers
Free via Steam Workshop
Checked Oct 29, 2026wallpaperengine.io(opens source in a new tab)
Device limit
None
Checked Oct 29, 2026wallpaperengine.io(opens source in a new tab)
Android app
Free companion app
Checked Oct 29, 2026wallpaperengine.io(opens source in a new tab)

The best Aerial alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best Aerial alternative for most people

Fliqlo

A simpler free screensaver that shows just a big flip clock, and also runs on Windows.

Best Aerial alternative for a free option

Brooklyn

Another free open-source Mac screensaver, with animated logo designs instead of video.

Best Aerial alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Backdrop

Mac live wallpaper app with thousands of community scenes and Lock Screen support, if you want more variety than aerials.

Best Aerial alternative for open source

Lively Wallpaper

Free Windows app for video wallpapers and screensavers, for those leaving the Mac.

Best Aerial alternative for Mac

Fliqlo

A simpler free screensaver that shows just a big flip clock, and also runs on Windows.

Best Aerial alternative for Windows

Wallpaper Engine

The pick on Windows for animated video scenes as a wallpaper or screensaver.

Aerial alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Aerial?

Fliqlo ranks first right now. A simpler free screensaver that shows just a big flip clock, and also runs on Windows. Brooklyn and Backdrop follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Aerial?

Yes. Fliqlo (free plan + paid), Brooklyn (open source), Backdrop (free plan + paid) and Lively Wallpaper (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Aerial?

Yes: Brooklyn and Lively Wallpaper.

Why do people switch from Aerial?

The complaints we hear most: mac only; latest version needs macOS 26 or later; high-quality video downloads use a lot of disk space.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Aerial, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.