Linux Wallpaper Engine

Spec sheet

Purpose

An open-source implementation that runs animated Wallpaper Engine backgrounds on Linux desktops.Read 8 Oct 2026 · wpengine.alma.mu

Affiliation

The project website says it is not affiliated with Wallpaper Engine or Steam.Read 8 Oct 2026 · wpengine.alma.mu

Audio reactive

Audio reactive wallpapers are supported.Read 8 Oct 2026 · wpengine.alma.mu

Desktop support

It supports X11 without a compositor drawing to the root screen and Wayland with a wlroots Layer Shell compositor.Read 8 Oct 2026 · wpengine.alma.mu

Interface

The main repository says implementing a GUI is out of scope, and lists separately developed GUI projects.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Multiple monitors

The application supports different wallpapers across multiple monitors.Read 8 Oct 2026 · wpengine.alma.mu

Open-source license

The project is distributed under the GPL-3.0 license.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Required assets

Users need the official Wallpaper Engine installed through Steam, using Proton, to access its base assets and subscribed backgrounds.Read 8 Oct 2026 · wpengine.alma.mu

Scene wallpapers

Scene wallpapers are partially supported, including image effects and user properties, while particles are partially supported.Read 8 Oct 2026 · wpengine.alma.mu

Steam Workshop

It detects available backgrounds downloaded to the user's Steam folder.Read 8 Oct 2026 · wpengine.alma.mu

Video wallpapers

Video wallpapers are supported through MPV.Read 8 Oct 2026 · wpengine.alma.mu

Web wallpapers

Web wallpapers have basic support through CEF, but settings are not implemented.Read 8 Oct 2026 · wpengine.alma.mu

Plans and prices

Every Linux Wallpaper Engine plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• Desktop Wallpaper Software#21 of 347.4