Lively Wallpaper is a free, open-source application for animated wallpapers on Windows. It can display video and GIF wallpapers using mpv or VLC, with filters and hardware acceleration, and can load HTML files or web addresses that run WebGL and JavaScript. It also supports GLSL shaders, Shadertoy URLs, video streams, and Unity and Godot games as wallpapers; support for GUI applications is limited. Wallpapers can span or duplicate across any number of monitors, including HiDPI and ultrawide displays, and can also be used as Windows screensavers. Command-line arguments and third-party scripting software such as AutoHotkey can be used to control the application. 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; operational window and process data stays local. The listed plan requires Windows 10 version 1903 or later and a 64-bit installer. Only the latest release receives security patches.
Who it is for
Lively suits Windows users who want animated wallpapers across one or more monitors, including wallpapers based on web content, video, or supported games. Its command-line control and API also provide options for scripting and interactive wallpapers.
What is good
- Free and open-source software.
- Supports video, GIF, web, shader, and stream wallpapers.
- Can span or duplicate wallpapers across any number of monitors.
- Playback pauses during fullscreen applications or games.
- Any wallpaper can be used as a Windows screensaver.
What to know first
- Requires Windows 10 version 1903 or later.
- Only the latest release receives security patches.
- Support for GUI applications as wallpapers is limited.
Verdict
Lively supports a wide range of animated wallpaper sources and multi-monitor arrangements at no cost. Check the Windows requirement and release-specific security support before choosing it.
Lively Wallpaper plans and pricing
All plansCompared on desktop wallpaper software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform coverage
- windows
- Live wallpapers
- Yes
- Multi-monitor support
- Yes
- Video wallpapers
- Yes
- Interactive wallpapers
- Yes
- Performance controls
- Yes
