Waypaper is a graphical wallpaper setter for Linux window managers and macOS. It serves as a frontend for wallpaper backends such as swaybg, swww, awww, wallutils, hyprpaper, mpvpaper, gslapper, feh, xwallpaper, linux-wallpaperengine, and macOS. The project is free and GPL-3.0 licensed, and requires users to install Waypaper plus at least one supported backend. It supports multiple monitors, Vim-style keyboard navigation, and restoring wallpaper when a window manager launches. GIF animations work through selected backends, while video wallpapers depend on mpvpaper, gslapper, or linux-wallpaperengine. Other documented features include caching, a distraction-free Zen mode, post-change script hooks, and customizable CSS theming. Linux installation options include pipx and packages or repositories for Arch-based distributions, NixOS, OpenSUSE, and Fedora. On macOS, setup requires GTK3 and PyGObject via Homebrew before installation with pipx. The documentation identifies Roman Anufriev as the developer and says development began in 2023.
Who it is for
Waypaper may suit Linux window manager and macOS users who want a graphical way to manage wallpapers across supported backends. Users need to install a compatible backend as well as Waypaper.
What is good
- Supports multiple monitors.
- Can restore wallpaper when a window manager launches.
- Offers Vim-style keyboard navigation.
- Includes caching, Zen mode, and customizable CSS theming.
What to know first
- Requires at least one supported wallpaper backend.
- macOS setup requires GTK3 and PyGObject via Homebrew.
- Video wallpaper depends on selected backends.
Verdict
Waypaper provides a free graphical interface for wallpaper backends, with support for multiple monitors and animated wallpapers through selected backends. Its backend requirement and platform-specific setup steps are worth checking before installation.
Waypaper plans and pricing
All plansCompared on desktop wallpaper software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platform coverage
- multi_platform
- Live wallpapers
- Yes
- Automatic rotation
- Yes
- Multi-monitor support
- Yes
- Video wallpapers
- Yes
- Interactive wallpapers
- Yes
- Performance controls
- Yes
