The Best Wally Alternatives: Discover Your Next Favorite Wallpaper Changer
Wally has long been a go-to for many users seeking a versatile wallpaper and background changer. Offering features like support for multiple sources (files, folders, FTP, Flickr, Yahoo!, Panoramio, and more), cross-platform compatibility (Win32, Linux, MacOSX), and EXIF data display, it's a powerful tool. However, as technology evolves and user needs shift, many are on the lookout for a new Wally alternative that offers fresh features, updated interfaces, or better performance. Whether you're seeking live wallpapers, deeper customization, or simply a different experience, there are numerous excellent options available.
Top Wally Alternatives
If you're ready to move beyond Wally, this curated list highlights some of the best alternatives, each bringing its own unique strengths to the table. From dynamic live wallpapers to simple, elegant changers, you're sure to find a fit.
Wallpaper Engine
Wallpaper Engine is a commercial Windows and Steam application that stands out as an excellent Wally alternative for those desiring dynamic desktop backgrounds. It supports various types of live wallpapers, including 3D and 2D animations, websites, and videos, offering extensive configurability and even the ability to visualize music. It's perfect for users who want a truly interactive and vibrant desktop.
Variety Wallpaper Changer
Variety Wallpaper Changer is a free and open-source Linux alternative to Wally, known for being feature-rich yet slim and user-friendly. It automatically downloads wallpapers from various online sources and even includes Facebook integration, making it a great choice for Linux users seeking a flexible and automated wallpaper experience.
John's Background Switcher
John's Background Switcher (JBS) is a freemium application available for Mac and Windows. Much like Wally, it periodically changes your desktop wallpaper, drawing from interesting sources. A key feature is its ability to save downloaded backgrounds and its discreet presence in the system tray, making it a convenient and reliable alternative for automatic background rotation.
ScreenPlay
ScreenPlay is a free and open-source cross-platform app (Mac, Windows, Linux) that goes beyond just wallpapers, offering support for widgets and an AppDrawer. Written in modern C++17/Qt5/QML, it provides live wallpaper capabilities and Steam Workshop integration, making it a powerful and customizable Wally alternative for users looking for more interactive desktop elements.
Muzei
Muzei is a free and open-source live wallpaper for Android that distinguishes itself by refreshing your home screen daily with famous works of art. It also has a unique blur filter feature, allowing artwork to recede gently into the background, providing a subtle and elegant visual experience unlike Wally's desktop focus.
RainWallpaper
RainWallpaper is a powerful commercial live wallpaper engine for Windows. Similar to Wallpaper Engine, it allows users to utilize various types of customizable animated wallpapers. For those who appreciated Wally's ability to refresh their desktop but now desire dynamic and configurable live backgrounds, RainWallpaper offers a robust solution.
Artpip
Artpip is a freemium application for Mac and Windows that delivers artistic masterpieces to your desktop daily, all in Ultra-HD 4K resolution. It provides a unique blend of high-resolution images, a blur filter, and custom feeds, sitting discreetly in the system tray. If your primary use for Wally was sourcing beautiful images, Artpip elevates that experience with curated art.
Wallcat
Wallcat is a free app available for Windows, macOS, and Google Chrome Tab, providing a beautiful new desktop wallpaper regularly. While it lacks advanced features, its simplicity and curated selection make it a straightforward Wally alternative for users who want effortless, aesthetically pleasing background changes without complex configurations.
Spotlight Desktop
Spotlight Desktop is a free and open-source Windows application that simplifies changing your desktop wallpaper to the current Windows 10 Spotlight Lock Screen image. It features auto-update and low memory usage, making it an efficient and focused Wally alternative for those who appreciate the curated images from Windows Spotlight.
GoodPaper Wallpapers
GoodPaper Wallpapers is a free Windows application that downloads high-quality wallpapers to your PC based on favorite characters, artists, games, phrases, and themes. It provides a more targeted approach to wallpaper selection compared to Wally's broader source support, ideal for users with specific aesthetic preferences.
FCorp My Desktop
FCorp My Desktop is a free Windows utility that serves as an "ALL-IN-ONE" desktop tool, including a wallpaper changer alongside features like an icon customizer, logon screen changer, and screen capture. Its portability and broader functionality make it a versatile Wally alternative for users looking for multiple desktop customization tools in one package.
Fondo
Fondo is a free and open-source Linux application that provides access to thousands of beautiful wallpapers from Unsplash.com, a community of photographers. For Linux users who value high-quality, community-sourced imagery, Fondo offers a streamlined and beautiful Wally alternative focused purely on stunning wallpapers.
The Wall!
The Wall! is a free Windows application that provides easy and automated access to outstanding wallpapers from sources like Alternativeto. For users who appreciated Wally's automated wallpaper sourcing but prefer a more focused and simpler tool, The Wall! offers a direct and efficient experience.
Moody Desktop
Moody Desktop is a tiny, portable, and free application for Windows (XP, Vista, and Windows 7) that lets you change your desktop wallpaper at specified time intervals. Its lightweight nature and focus on timed changes make it a straightforward and efficient Wally alternative for users who prioritize simplicity and minimal resource usage.
With a diverse range of options from comprehensive live wallpaper engines to simple, elegant changers, you're now equipped to find the perfect Wally alternative. Consider your operating system, desired features, and whether you prefer free, open-source, or commercial solutions, and enjoy a fresh new look for your desktop!