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Variety alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Variety: still images only, no animated or video wallpapers, and in maintenance mode, with little new development. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Variety, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Hidamari currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Hidamari logoHidamariOpen sourceYesLinux3 of 366.5
2Wallpaper Engine logoWallpaper EnginePaidNoWindows, Android5 of 562.6
3Lively Wallpaper logoLively WallpaperOpen sourceYesWindows4 of 459.6
  1. Hidamari logo

    1. HidamariTop pick

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

    Open sourceLinux

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Variety

    Moves from rotating still images to looping video or web page wallpapers on 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 ×0.3100
    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 Hidamari a good Variety 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)
  2. Wallpaper Engine logo

    2. Wallpaper Engine

    Best for: Windows users who want the largest library of animated wallpapers and an editor to make their own

    PaidWindows, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Variety

    Animated wallpapers with playlists and a huge Workshop library, on Windows.

    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 ×0.387
    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 Wallpaper Engine a good Variety 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)
  3. Lively Wallpaper logo

    3. Lively Wallpaper

    Best for: Windows users who want animated wallpapers for free without Steam

    Open sourceWindows

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Variety

    Free animated and video wallpapers if you're on Windows.

    Pros

    • Free and open source
    • Video, web page and interactive wallpapers
    • Pauses during games and fullscreen apps
    • No Steam or account required

    Cons

    • No large shared wallpaper library like Steam Workshop
    • No scene editor
    • Windows only
    Visit Lively Wallpaper 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 Lively Wallpaper a good Variety alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free and open source
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Screensavers
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Built with
    WinUI 3
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Variety alternative for…

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

Hidamari logo

Best Variety alternative for most people

Hidamari

Moves from rotating still images to looping video or web page wallpapers on Linux.

Lively Wallpaper logo

Best Variety alternative for a free option

Lively Wallpaper

Free animated and video wallpapers if you're on Windows.

Hidamari logo

Best Variety alternative for open source

Hidamari

Moves from rotating still images to looping video or web page wallpapers on Linux.

Wallpaper Engine logo

Best Variety alternative for Windows

Wallpaper Engine

Animated wallpapers with playlists and a huge Workshop library, on Windows.

Hidamari logo

Best Variety alternative for Linux

Hidamari

Moves from rotating still images to looping video or web page wallpapers on Linux.

Variety alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Variety?

Hidamari ranks first right now. Moves from rotating still images to looping video or web page wallpapers on Linux. Wallpaper Engine and Lively Wallpaper follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Variety?

Yes. Hidamari (open source) 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 Variety?

Yes: Hidamari and Lively Wallpaper.

Which Variety alternatives work on Linux?

Hidamari runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Variety?

The complaints we hear most: still images only, no animated or video wallpapers; in maintenance mode, with little new development.

How is this list ranked?

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