Übersicht vs WidgetSpark

Übersicht is a free macOS app that places the output of system commands on the desktop in small widgets. Widgets can present information as tables, charts, or graphs, adapt to screen sizes, and are written in HTML5, JavaScript, and React JSX. The app includes a gallery and installation instructions for community widgets, spanning categories such as system monitoring, clocks, calendars, weather, RSS feeds, networking, and media. For development, Übersicht watches the widget directory and updates the display when files change. Commands run at a configurable interval, once per second by default, or can be set not to refresh automatically. A built-in local proxy supports Ajax requests to external sites, and AppleScript scripting is available. The download page specifies macOS 12 or later, and the app is released under the GNU General Public License version 3 or a later version at the user's option. Widgets can execute arbitrary code, so the maker advises checking their source; malicious code cannot be ruled out.

WidgetSpark is a Windows desktop widget app with more than 130 widgets for the desktop, taskbar, and SparkBar. Its catalogue spans system, productivity, games, time, weather, media, entertainment, and finance. Widgets can float on the desktop, dock in the taskbar, appear in SparkBar, or sit behind desktop icons as wallpaper. Each can be moved, resized, and themed, while session restore returns the layout and settings after a restart. Some widgets display live weather, stocks, exchange rates, or crypto prices and need an internet connection to update. The Media Player widget controls system media playback, including YouTube and Spotify; Mail Check supports IMAP inboxes. WidgetSpark runs on 64-bit Windows 10 and 11 and is distributed through the Microsoft Store and winget. The free plan includes a subset of widgets and shows an ad banner inside the app. Pro costs $1.99 per month, $19.99 per year, or $49.99 once for lifetime access. A 7-day trial is available.