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Lively Wallpaper alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Lively Wallpaper: no large shared wallpaper library like Steam Workshop, and no scene editor. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Lively Wallpaper, 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

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Wallpaper Engine logoWallpaper EnginePaidNoWindows, Android5 of 566.5
2Hidamari logoHidamariOpen sourceYesLinux3 of 362.6
3Variety logoVarietyOpen sourceYesLinux3 of 359.6
  1. Wallpaper Engine logo

    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

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Lively Wallpaper

    Paid, but adds a scene editor and a huge free Workshop library of wallpapers.

    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 ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Wallpaper Engine a good Lively Wallpaper alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Pricing
    One-time purchase, no subscription
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wallpaperengine.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows 10, Windows 11
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wallpaperengine.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Wallpapers
    Free via Steam Workshop
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wallpaperengine.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Device limit
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wallpaperengine.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Android app
    Free companion app
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wallpaperengine.io(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Hidamari logo

    2. Hidamari

    Best for: Linux desktop users who want a looping video or web page as their wallpaper

    Open sourceLinux

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Lively Wallpaper

    Similar free video and web wallpapers if you move to Linux.

    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 ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Hidamari a good Lively Wallpaper 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 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Variety logo

    3. Variety

    Best for: Linux users who want a fresh still wallpaper on a schedule from online sources

    Open sourceLinux

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Lively Wallpaper

    Rotates still wallpapers from online sources on Linux, a lighter option than animated ones.

    Pros

    • Pulls wallpapers from many online sources automatically
    • Works on most Linux desktops and window managers
    • In major distribution repositories
    • Free and open source

    Cons

    • Still images only, no animated or video wallpapers
    • In maintenance mode, with little new development
    Visit Variety Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Variety a good Lively Wallpaper 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
    Wallpaper downloader and manager
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platform
    Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Lively Wallpaper alternative for…

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

Wallpaper Engine logo

Best Lively Wallpaper alternative for most people

Wallpaper Engine

Paid, but adds a scene editor and a huge free Workshop library of wallpapers.

Hidamari logo

Best Lively Wallpaper alternative for a free option

Hidamari

Similar free video and web wallpapers if you move to Linux.

Variety logo

Best Lively Wallpaper alternative for open source

Variety

Rotates still wallpapers from online sources on Linux, a lighter option than animated ones.

Wallpaper Engine logo

Best Lively Wallpaper alternative for Windows

Wallpaper Engine

Paid, but adds a scene editor and a huge free Workshop library of wallpapers.

Hidamari logo

Best Lively Wallpaper alternative for Linux

Hidamari

Similar free video and web wallpapers if you move to Linux.

Lively Wallpaper alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Lively Wallpaper?

Wallpaper Engine ranks first right now. Paid, but adds a scene editor and a huge free Workshop library of wallpapers. Hidamari and Variety follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Lively Wallpaper?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Lively Wallpaper?

Yes: Hidamari and Variety.

Which Lively Wallpaper alternatives work on Linux?

Hidamari and Variety run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Lively Wallpaper?

The complaints we hear most: no large shared wallpaper library like Steam Workshop; no scene editor; windows only.

How is this list ranked?

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