Backdrop alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 30, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Backdrop: free tier is limited to three watermarked wallpapers, and mac only, and needs macOS 15 or later. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Backdrop, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Wallpaper Engine currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Hidamari	Open source	Yes	Linux	3 of 3	59.4

1. HidamariTop pick
Best for: Linux desktop users who want a looping video or web page as their wallpaper
Open sourceLinux
59.4
score / 100
Why switch from Backdrop
Free open-source video wallpaper player for Linux users who want the same moving-desktop look.
Pros
Free and open source
Plays local videos, streams or web pages as wallpaper
Pauses when windows cover the desktop to save resources
Cons
No wallpaper editor or built-in wallpaper library
Support varies across desktop environments and Wayland
Small one-developer project
Visit Hidamari Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.369
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 Hidamari a good Backdrop alternative?
Verified facts
3 of 3 verified
License
GPL-3.0
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
What it does
Video wallpaper for Linux
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Written in
Python
Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Backdrop alternative for…

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

Best Backdrop alternative for most people

Wallpaper Engine

The best-known live wallpaper app with a huge Steam Workshop library, for anyone who also uses a Windows PC.

Best Backdrop alternative for a free option

Lively Wallpaper

Free and open source with video and web wallpapers, a good pick if you move from a Mac to Windows.

Best Backdrop alternative for open source

Hidamari

Free open-source video wallpaper player for Linux users who want the same moving-desktop look.

Best Backdrop alternative for Mac

Aerial

Free and open source, focused on Apple's aerial footage and your own videos, with overlays and screensaver mode.

Best Backdrop alternative for Windows

Wallpaper Engine

The best-known live wallpaper app with a huge Steam Workshop library, for anyone who also uses a Windows PC.

Best Backdrop alternative for Linux

Hidamari

Free open-source video wallpaper player for Linux users who want the same moving-desktop look.

Backdrop alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Backdrop?

Wallpaper Engine ranks first right now. The best-known live wallpaper app with a huge Steam Workshop library, for anyone who also uses a Windows PC. Lively Wallpaper and Hidamari follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Backdrop?

Yes. Lively Wallpaper (open source), Hidamari (open source) and Aerial (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Backdrop?

Yes: Lively Wallpaper, Hidamari and Aerial.

Which Backdrop alternatives work on Linux?

Hidamari runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Backdrop?

The complaints we hear most: free tier is limited to three watermarked wallpapers; mac only, and needs macOS 15 or later; community library features need an iCloud login on the Mac.

How is this list ranked?

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