Backdrop vs Phosphene
Side-by-side comparison for macOS
Backdrop
8.0Live wallpaper app
Phosphene
7.0Custom video wallpapers for the desktop and lock screen
| Metric | Backdrop | Phosphene |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Media & Design | Media & Design |
| AI Score | 8.0 | 7.0 |
| 30-day Installs | 206 | 158 |
| 90-day Installs | 430 | 188 |
| 365-day Installs | 1.1K | 188 |
| Version | 2.6.17,121 | 1.5 |
| Auto-updates | Yes | No |
| Deprecated | No | No |
| GitHub Stars | 1.0K | 789 |
| GitHub Forks | 399 | 22 |
| Open Issues | 738 | - |
| License | GPL-2.0 | MIT |
| Language | PHP | Swift |
| Last GitHub Commit | 7mo ago | 1mo ago |
| First Seen | Oct 16, 2025 | Jul 31, 2026 |
Reviews
Backdrop
Backdrop is a unique live wallpaper app for macOS that allows users to create dynamic, animated backgrounds using PHP scripts. It's ideal for creative professionals and desktop customization enthusiasts who want to go beyond static wallpapers.
Backdrop enables the creation and display of live, dynamic wallpapers using PHP scripts.
Pros
- + Unique live wallpaper functionality with PHP scripting support
- + Highly customizable backgrounds
- + Regular updates and active maintenance
Cons
- - High number of open issues on GitHub
- - Niche appeal due to reliance on PHP scripting
Phosphene
Phosphene offers a unique way to use custom video wallpapers on both the desktop and lock screen, making it ideal for users who want dynamic and engaging backgrounds. Its integration with macOS System Settings and support for any video format are key features.
Phosphene enables users to set custom video files as wallpapers for their desktop and lock screen.
Pros
- + Unique feature of using video files as wallpapers
- + Integration with macOS System Settings for easy setup
- + Actively maintained with recent updates
Cons
- - Lack of auto-update functionality
- - Limited community traction and user base