Papyrus vs Waypaper
Papyrus
github.comWaypaper
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Papyrus | Waypaper |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Desktop Wallpaper Software | 7.3 (#24) | 8.0 (#10) |
| License | Papyrus is distributed under the GPL-3.0 license. | The source repository contains the GNU General Public License version 3 dated 29 June 2007. |
| Linux distributions | The universal installer lists Pop, Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and openSUSE support, with Arch-based users directed to the AUR. | The project documents pipx installation and packages or repositories for Arch-based distributions, NixOS, OpenSUSE, and Fedora. |
| Multiple monitors | Users can set different wallpapers and scaling options independently for each monitor. | Multiple-monitor wallpapers are supported, with behavior depending on the backend. |
Plans
In their own words
Waypaper
Waypaper is a free graphical wallpaper setter for Linux window managers and macOS. It provides a single interface for backends such as swaybg, swww, awww, wallutils, hyprpaper, mpvpaper, gslapper, feh, xwallpaper, linux-wallpaperengine, and macOS. It supports multiple monitors and can restore a wallpaper when a window manager launches. The interface also offers Vim-style keyboard navigation, caching, a distraction-free Zen mode, post-change script hooks, and customizable CSS theming. Animated wallpaper support depends on the backend: selected backends handle GIFs, while mpvpaper, gslapper, or linux-wallpaperengine can provide video wallpapers. Waypaper needs at least one supported wallpaper backend installed to work. On Linux, installation options include pipx and packages or repositories for Arch-based distributions, NixOS, OpenSUSE, and Fedora. macOS setup requires GTK3 and PyGObject through Homebrew before Waypaper is installed with pipx. The repository identifies the project as GPL-3.0 licensed. Its documentation names Roman Anufriev as developer and says development began in 2023.