Backdrops vs Vivid Walls
Backdrops
backdrops.cc
Vivid Walls
vividwalls.appSide by side
| Figure | Backdrops | Vivid Walls |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 11 | 3 |
| Spec score · Desktop Wallpaper Software | 9.4 (#1) | 8.6 (#6) |
| Rating on Apple App Store | 4.7 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings | No rating overview is displayed because Apple says the app has not received enough ratings or reviews; one visible written review is 5 out of 5. |
| Support | The Google Play listing provides support at [email protected]. | Users can email [email protected] with scene compatibility reports, questions, bug reports, or feature requests. |
| What it does | Backdrops is a wallpaper app offering curated, regularly refreshed backgrounds for device screens. | Vivid Walls is a native macOS app that renders Wallpaper Engine scene files and also supports video, web, GIF and image wallpapers. |
Plans
Backdrops
- FreeFree
- Acid Pop Collection$1.99, paid once
- Animal Riot Collection$2.99, paid once
- Dunes Day Collection$2.99, paid once
- Lost in the Void Collection$2.99, paid once
- Optic Odysseys Collection$2.99, paid once
- Shades of Saturn Collection$2.99, paid once
- Synth Wavez Collection$2.99, paid once
- Backdrops Pro$4.99, paid once
- Backdrops Pro + Big Tip$6.99, paid once
In their own words
Backdrops
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.
Vivid Walls
Vivid Walls is a native macOS app for Wallpaper Engine scene files and video, web, GIF, and image wallpapers. It renders scenes on Apple Silicon with a Metal scene engine. Wallpapers can react to cursor movement, clicks, system audio, or focus modes. Users can span a scene across displays or set independent scenes, then schedule them by time of day or focus mode. The app pauses when the desktop is fully covered or another app is fullscreen, reduces its frame rate on battery, and respects Low Power Mode. Eight animated 1080p wallpapers are loaded into the library at first launch. A free Windows Companion transfers a Wallpaper Engine library to the Mac over local Wi-Fi using a four-character code. The free plan keeps the bundled wallpapers; the Full Library costs $9.99, paid once. The app requires macOS 14.0 or later and Apple Silicon M1 or later, and does not support Intel Macs. The maker says some scenes may render incorrectly because of their varied effects and content.