BeWidgets vs WidgetSpark

BeWidgets is a Windows app for customizing a desktop with widgets, including changing widget colors and usage. Users can update widgets individually inside the application and receive notifications when updates are available. Layouts collect widgets into arrangements that can be saved and loaded. The maker's documentation describes a store for downloading widgets and notes that a layout store update is scheduled for 2026. BeWidgets is distributed through the Microsoft Store; the listed plan is free, and the Store listing indicates in-app purchases. For users who want to build widgets, the maker provides a Visual Studio project template. Custom widget packages use the.wpkg archive format and can be installed into BeWidgets. The listed development prerequisites are Visual Studio,.NET 8.0, the Windows 11 SDK, and the BeWidgets Widget Template extension. The maker describes the interface as modern, easy to use, and inspired by Windows 11.

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.