Lively Wallpaper vs Plash
Lively Wallpaper
rocksdanister.comPlash
sindresorhus.comSide by side
| Figure | Lively Wallpaper | Plash |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Desktop Wallpaper Software | 8.4 (#7) | 7.4 (#22) |
| Automation | Command-line controls allow terminal automation and integration with Python or AutoHotKey. | Plash supports Shortcuts and can be controlled through URL scheme commands, including reload and website switching. |
| Purpose | Lively is an animated desktop wallpaper application. | Plash lets users make a website their desktop wallpaper, including animated GIFs. |
Plans
In their own words
Lively Wallpaper
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.