Best wallpaper apps for Mac in 2025
While macOS includes built-in wallpaper functionality, third-party apps offer enhanced features like automatic rotation, curated collections, dynamic updates, and advanced customization. This comprehensive guide reviews the best wallpaper apps for Mac in 2025, comparing features, performance, and value.
Top wallpaper apps comparison
| App | Best for | Price | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wallpapery | Curated designer wallpapers | Free | Hand-picked artistic collection |
| Irvue | Unsplash photos | Free | Automatic Unsplash integration |
| Dynamic Wallpaper | Creating custom dynamic wallpapers | $4.99 | DIY time-based wallpapers |
| Plash | Websites as wallpapers | Free | Live web content on desktop |
| John's Background Switcher | Advanced rotation control | Free | Multiple sources, schedules |
1. Wallpapery — Designer wallpapers
Overview
Wallpapery provides a curated collection of hand-picked designer wallpapers that automatically rotate on your Mac. Unlike generic wallpaper apps, every image is selected for artistic merit and quality.
Key features
- Curated collection from professional designers
- Automatic wallpaper rotation
- High-resolution images optimized for Retina displays
- Lightweight and battery-efficient
- Works across all Macs
Pros
- ✓ Every wallpaper is professionally curated
- ✓ No setup required—works out of the box
- ✓ Free to use
- ✓ Minimal system impact
- ✓ Regular new additions
Cons
- ✗ Limited to curated collection (not infinite random images)
- ✗ Less customization than power-user tools
Best for
Users who want high-quality, artistic wallpapers without the hassle of searching and managing collections. Perfect for designers, creative professionals, and anyone who appreciates good design.
Price: Free
2. Irvue — Unsplash wallpapers
Overview
Irvue brings Unsplash's massive photography library to your Mac desktop. It automatically downloads and sets new wallpapers from Unsplash's collection of over 3 million high-quality photos.
Key features
- Automatic Unsplash integration
- Category filtering
- Customizable update intervals
- Minimal menu bar interface
- Favorites system
Pros
- ✓ Massive image library
- ✓ High-quality photography
- ✓ Free and open source
- ✓ Simple, clean interface
Cons
- ✗ Quality varies (user-submitted content)
- ✗ Requires internet connection
- ✗ Limited curation
Best for
Photography enthusiasts who want endless variety and don't mind occasional misses in quality.
Price: Free
Download: Mac App Store
3. Dynamic Wallpaper — Custom time-based wallpapers
Overview
Dynamic Wallpaper lets you create custom dynamic wallpapers that change based on time of day or solar position, similar to macOS's built-in dynamic wallpapers.
Key features
- Create custom dynamic wallpapers
- Time-based or solar-based transitions
- Import multiple images for different times
- Preview transitions before saving
- Export as macOS-compatible HEIC files
Pros
- ✓ Complete control over dynamic wallpapers
- ✓ Professional results
- ✓ One-time purchase
- ✓ Native macOS format
Cons
- ✗ Requires manual image collection and setup
- ✗ Learning curve for optimal results
- ✗ Paid app
Best for
DIY enthusiasts who want to create personalized dynamic wallpapers from their own photos or curated images.
Price: $4.99
Download: Mac App Store
4. Plash — Websites as wallpapers
Overview
Plash is unique: it displays live websites as your desktop wallpaper. Use it for dashboards, information displays, or creative web-based backgrounds.
Key features
- Any website as wallpaper
- Live, updating content
- Transparency and opacity control
- Multiple websites for different Spaces
- URL-based configuration
Pros
- ✓ Unique functionality
- ✓ Live data displays possible
- ✓ Free and open source
- ✓ Creative possibilities
Cons
- ✗ Requires internet connection
- ✗ Higher battery consumption
- ✗ Can be distracting
- ✗ Not suitable for professional settings
Best for
Developers and power users who want live information displays, custom dashboards, or unique interactive wallpapers.
Price: Free
Download: sindresorhus.com/plash
5. John's Background Switcher — Power user control
Overview
John's Background Switcher offers advanced control over wallpaper rotation with multiple sources, complex scheduling, and extensive customization options.
Key features
- Multiple wallpaper sources (folders, Flickr, Unsplash, etc.)
- Advanced scheduling options
- Playlist management
- Detailed statistics
- Multi-display support
Pros
- ✓ Extremely customizable
- ✓ Multiple sources simultaneously
- ✓ Free
- ✓ Active development
Cons
- ✗ Complex interface
- ✗ Overwhelming for casual users
- ✗ Overkill for simple needs
Best for
Power users who want complete control over wallpaper management with multiple sources and complex rotation schedules.
Price: Free
Download: johnsbackgroundswitcher.com
Comparison by use case
For effortless quality
Winner: Wallpapery
Set it and forget it. High-quality curated wallpapers without any configuration.
For maximum variety
Winner: Irvue
Millions of Unsplash photos ensure you'll never see the same wallpaper twice.
For customization
Winner: John's Background Switcher
Every conceivable option for advanced users who want total control.
For creative professionals
Winner: Wallpapery
Designer-curated collection appeals to artistic sensibilities.
For battery life
Winner: Dynamic Wallpaper
Once created, dynamic wallpapers are native to macOS with minimal overhead.
Features to consider
Essential features
- Retina support: High-resolution images for modern Mac displays
- Automatic updates: Set-it-and-forget-it operation
- Multi-display support: Independent wallpapers per display
- Low resource usage: Minimal battery and CPU impact
Nice-to-have features
- Category/theme filtering
- Favorites/likes system
- Time-based rotation
- Focus mode integration
- Offline mode
Avoiding problematic wallpaper apps
Red flags
- Excessive permissions requests
- Heavy battery drain reported in reviews
- Intrusive ads or upsells
- Poor App Store ratings
- Abandoned apps (no recent updates)
Test before committing
- Check Activity Monitor for CPU usage
- Monitor battery impact over a day
- Verify image quality meets your standards
- Ensure app works after Mac restart
Free vs. paid wallpaper apps
Free apps pros
- No financial commitment
- Try before deciding
- Often open source
Paid apps pros
- Better support
- Regular updates
- Advanced features
- No ads or limitations
Our recommendation
Start with free apps like Wallpapery or Irvue. Most users find free options completely sufficient. Only upgrade to paid apps if you need specific advanced features.
2025 trends in wallpaper apps
- AI-generated wallpapers: Some apps now offer AI-created backgrounds
- Focus mode integration: Automatic wallpaper switching with Focus modes
- Apple Silicon optimization: Native ARM support for better efficiency
- Environmental themes: Wallpapers that promote sustainability awareness
- Personalization through ML: Apps learning your preferences over time
Final recommendations
Best overall: Wallpapery
For most Mac users, Wallpapery offers the best balance of quality, ease of use, and performance. The curated collection ensures you always have beautiful, professional wallpapers without any effort.
Best for photographers: Irvue
If you love photography and want endless variety, Irvue's Unsplash integration provides millions of high-quality options.
Best for power users: John's Background Switcher
Advanced users who want complete control over every aspect of wallpaper management will appreciate the extensive features.
Ready to elevate your Mac desktop? Download Wallpapery now and enjoy beautiful designer wallpapers automatically.