John’s Background Switcher vs Spice
John’s Background Switcher
johnsad.venturesSpice
spicebox.devSide by side
| Figure | John’s Background Switcher | Spice |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 0 |
| Spec score · Desktop Wallpaper Software | 8.1 (#9) | 6.9 (#30) |
| Image sources | Supported sources include local photos and services such as Flickr, SmugMug, Unsplash, Pixabay, Dropbox, OneDrive, Vladstudio, Immich, and Media RSS feeds, with availability varying by platform. | Spice lists 13 providers, including Wallhaven, Pexels, Google Photos, museum collections, local folders, and favorites. |
| Privacy | The maker says JBS stores settings and authentication tokens locally, contacts photo services directly, and caches photo results locally for no longer than two days. | The site says API keys and personal Google Photos stay on the user's machine, and image cropping and AI face detection happen locally. |
| Support | The maker offers a support request form and directs Windows users to check the FAQ first; replies may take a while because the maker receives many emails. | The project README directs users to open a GitHub issue to report a bug or share an idea. |
Plans
John’s Background Switcher
- WindowsFree
- Mac direct$7.99, paid once
- Mac App Store$8.99, paid once
In their own words
John’s Background Switcher
John’s Background Switcher changes a Windows or Mac desktop background on a schedule, using individual photos or assembled montages and collages. Its image sources include local photos and services such as Flickr, SmugMug, Unsplash, Pixabay, Dropbox, OneDrive, Vladstudio, Immich, and Media RSS feeds, though availability varies by platform. Windows also lists Pexels, Last.fm, and Wallhaven. On Mac, it can manage multiple monitors, showing the same or different images on each, or using a single monitor. Mac switching intervals range from every 10 seconds to 7 days, with grayscale, sepia, and desaturation effects. Windows support starts at Windows 10 and requires Microsoft.NET 4.8; the setup wizard can install that dependency. The maker says settings and authentication tokens are stored locally, photo services are contacted directly, and cached photo results are kept for no more than two days. Windows is free at free. Mac direct costs 7.99 USD once, and Mac App Store costs 8.99 USD once.