Backdrops vs Lively Wallpaper

Backdrops is a wallpaper app with curated collections and new wallpapers added regularly. Its team creates original designs for Android devices, including exclusive artwork available in the app. Users can submit wallpapers, artwork, or photos for review and possible placement in the Community section. Wall of the Day highlights a newly created design or a selected favorite. Google sign-in can sync favorites across devices, and favorites can be paired with Muzei to rotate on a chosen schedule. The app is available for Android, iOS, and macOS. The free plan costs nothing and includes ads, with in-app purchases available. Backdrops Pro costs $4.99, paid once and removes ads, permits saving Explore wallpapers, and includes a Pro Pack of exclusive backgrounds and future Pro features. The terms say purchases are non-refundable and limit sharing Backdrops-owned Explore wallpapers outside the app; saved copies are for personal use. The Google Play listing warns that regular use may consume substantial data and that carrier or internet charges may apply.

Lively Wallpaper is a free, open-source animated wallpaper application for Windows. It supports video and GIF wallpapers through mpv or VLC, with filters and hardware acceleration, and can load HTML files or web addresses running WebGL and JavaScript. Other wallpaper sources include GLSL shaders, Shadertoy URLs, video streams, and Unity or Godot games; GUI application support is limited. Wallpapers can span or duplicate across any number of monitors, including HiDPI and ultrawide displays, and any wallpaper can be used as a Windows screensaver. Command-line arguments and third-party scripting software such as AutoHotkey provide control options. Playback pauses when fullscreen applications or games run, reaching approximately 0% CPU and GPU usage. Lively says it does not collect, store or share personal information, while operational window and process data remains local. The listed plan is free and requires Windows 10 version 1903 or above with a 64-bit installer. Only the latest release receives security patches, and vulnerabilities can be reported by email.