One way to increase your spirit when working in front of a PC or laptop is to have an interesting wallpaper. Normally, people use simple pictures for their wallpapers, which can be boring. However, these days some applications can help you get moving wallpapers. One of the most popular ones, that more than 300,000 people used is Wallpaper Engine. However, if this software is too expensive, then try other wallpaper engine alternatives that are free to download.
So, what can these applications do and how are they different from other wallpapers? Well, they are applications that can make your PC and laptop background lively and move. They are different from adobe flash and screensaver because they are lighter and easier.
Table of Contents
What is a Wallpaper Engine?
Wallpaper Engine is one of the many applications that can make a moving background. With this app, you can get a more interesting wallpaper rather than just a still picture. The best part is you can animate a static wallpaper just by importing pictures and videos with this app. After designing one, share them with your friends or other people online.
Rather than just a moving wallpaper, this app puts on a slideshow in your background. So, if you don’t like to have one picture for the long term, then create a playlist and set an interval time. Therefore, your wallpaper will change regularly based on your setting.
If you have a hard time creating your wallpaper, don’t worry because this app also provides many selections. Wallpaper Engine has up to hundreds and even thousands of selections that are free to get. So, whether you are creative or not, your wallpaper can still look stunning.
The best part of Wallpaper Engine is its optimized performance. So, set up when and how you want your wallpaper to be. If you happen to open a certain app that can drain your battery, then the app will adjust. Therefore, it will not make your battery drain even more.
Free Wallpaper Engine Alternatives
Even though Wallpaper Engine has many great features, for some people it can be a bit pricey. If you think the same, then you can try some free wallpaper engine alternatives that you can get without paying. Some of these apps are available on Android, tablets, iOS, or even all of them. So, for those who are curious, here are some alternatives to try:
1. Walloop
The first free wallpaper engine alternative that will make your desktop more beautiful is Walloop. This app is on the list because it provides more than 1,000 wallpapers users can use and all of them can be used in all kinds of gadgets. The wallpapers themselves are designed by creative designers from all around the world. So, you’ll find different theme wallpapers in every category.
Now if you get bored easily with one background, then use the automatic change feature. By using this, you can change your wallpaper daily, weekly, monthly, or whenever automatically. This way you can get new backgrounds every day without getting bored.
The best thing about Walloop is it lets you be creative. You can design your wallpapers using the existing pictures in the app or scratch from the start. If you want others to enjoy it too, then share them through the community.
2. Variety Wallpaper Changer
The next free wallpaper engine alternative on the list is Variety Wallpaper Changer. With this app, users don’t need to change their backgrounds manually because it will do it on its own in a certain interval.
Variety Wallpaper Engine is one of the apps that can work on Ubuntu and Linux Mint. This app has many features that will help users create a great and creative wallpaper for their background. The app itself is also slim, so it will not slow down your computer.
After installing the app to your computer, you can control the interval of time you want the background to change. Just add the source where the images are, and it will change routinely. If you want a certain folder, then make sure to write down the specific location.
One of the great things about Variety is it can download images directly from a great source such as Flickr. However, before downloading them, you can define the interval and quality of the images you want. Therefore, Variety will only download the pictures or images that fulfill your criteria.
3. ScreenPlay
An alternative to a Wallpaper engine great for Windows and soon Linux & MacOSX is ScreenPlay. A bit different from other apps, ScreenPlay is an open-source application. However, it does not change the function or work of the app itself.
Other than providing great wallpapers that can make your desktop beautiful, the app has many great features that you can enjoy. The first feature they provide is the Steam Workshop. With this feature, users can check out and choose one of the vast collections from the steam workshop. Or if you happen to be creative and good at this, why not upload your work in this workshop.
The app also commits to giving a great screen display by supporting HDR and 4K wallpapers. It can even be used for DPI screens and still look good. Those who have ultra-widescreen can also use this app because it has been tested before on a wqhd 21:9 144hz monitor. The result was great just like normal screens.
Last, the app understands people’s eyes need to take a break sometime, therefore they offer the dark mode. With this mode, users can switch the light theme into a darker mode or the other way around. So, you can adjust the mode based on the condition of the day.
4. Lively Wallpaper
For those using Windows and looking for a wallpaper to make their PC look alive, then try downloading Lively Wallpaper. This is one of the easiest and most simple applications where people can get stunning wallpaper. Why? Well, because they provide great and useful features that will help get what you want.
One of the best features of this app is the wide range of formats it supports. Users can create a video wallpaper from almost all formats, starting with MKV, MPV, GIF to HTML. All you need to do is drag and drop the file into the app and it will make it a more dynamic wallpaper.
If you are someone with a creative mind, this is one of the best wallpaper engine alternatives. However, compared to similar products, it contains less wallpaper. So, if you are someone who prefers to download and use available wallpapers, this is not the choice.
Premium Wallpaper Engine Alternatives
As most of these apps are made for PC, they use better tools, technologies, and options. Therefore, most of them may not be free and you’ll need to upgrade it to a premium version to enjoy it all. So, for those looking for an alternative, here are some of the best recommendations:
1. Desktop Live Wallpapers
Dekstop Live Wallpapers is one of the top wallpaper engine alternatives that can only be used by Windows Users. Overall, this app provides moving and living wallpapers that will make each desktop look better. They provide multiple themes from nature, animals to art.
If at some point you want a more personal desktop, then upload a personal video. This video will then be on your desktop until you get bored. However, when you upload a video, make sure to choose a short duration. Or you can always edit it through the app.
To enjoy all these features, users must first buy the complete package that costs around $2. This is quite cheap compared to other products, even though it has limited tools and technologies. However, for those who don’t need too much advance, Desktop Live Wallpapers is surely worth buying.
2. RainWallpaper
Don’t worry about your CPU or RAM usage when you use RainWallpaper for your desktop. Most products also have this feature, however, RainWallpaper is one of the best wallpaper engine alternatives that will not affect the PC’s performance. In their new version, they even provide a pause button for people to stop the movements when they want.
Those who are a fan of DeviantArt will also love this app. Other than just great pictures, this app also provides live anime and videos that not everyone has. On the other hand, those who want to be creative can also use the wallpaper editor feature to make something new. Now, to enjoy all the features here, you will have to buy the app for around $3.
3. DeskScapes
DeskScapes will help people create their imaginations through a feature that is known as a dream maker. With this feature, users can customize the different backgrounds with 60 special effects that will surely make the video special. This effect includes changing the colors of the picture, how they enter the screen, and many more.
However, users must know when they edit a picture or an existing wallpaper, it will change the original quality. Therefore, if they don’t want to ruin the original one, make sure to make a copy. Other than that, compared to other products, DeskScapes is a bit more complicated. But once you get the hang of it, the app will be easier to use.
Last, the app understands people’s eyes need to take a break sometime, therefore they offer the dark mode. With this mode, users can switch the light theme into a darker mode or the other way around.
5. Artpip
Transform your gallery into something beautiful and interesting with Artpip. In this app, users can find the best and update photos created by people around the world. If you are a great creator yourself, then you can use and make custom collections on your own.
All the pictures they provide are surely an HD resolution only. So, whichever picture you choose, will look beautiful on your background. Another great thing about this app is it stores all its works in Artpip servers, so it will not take any space on your computer unless you download it down.
However, Artpip doesn’t provide the best moving wallpapers, so don’t expect too much from it. There aren’t too many options for this kind of wallpaper in the app.
5. Ultimate Live Wallpaper
If you are looking for live wallpapers that are different from other apps, then try out this alternative. Just like the name of the app, it offers moving wallpapers that contain 3D animations and pictures. It is also interesting because it offers interactions with the users. Try moving your mouse to see the reaction.
Even though it provides moving wallpapers, users don’t need to worry that it will absorb their battery too much. First, they provide wallpaper settings where users can set intervals and brightness. Therefore, those who don’t want their wallpaper on all the time can set the interval. They also have the game mode, which will pause the moving wallpaper when users are playing a game.
For those who are interested in this app, well it is only available for Windows only. Windows from 7-10 can use the app but make sure you have around 1GB of free space available on your computer.
From the list above, Walloop is the best alternative to Wallpaper Engine because it provides more than 1000 free live wallpapers.
Most wallpaper engine alternatives above are premium, so people must pay. However, most of them offer a free trial that users can try first to get to know or see how the apps work. Some apps are free, but they usually have limited access and options that users can choose from.
So, those are some of the top wallpaper engine alternatives for all PC and mobile phones. If you have a great imagination, then it is best to download a premium app so you can have advanced tools and technologies. However, those who just want a lively wallpaper can download the free version app.
