Variety
Variety is a free wallpaper manager for Linux systems.
What Variety is
Variety is a free wallpaper manager for Linux systems. It can use local images or download wallpapers from Wallhaven, Unsplash, Bing, Reddit, and other online sources. Wallpapers can rotate at regular intervals, and image-management controls help separate preferred pictures from unwanted ones. Variety supports most Linux desktop environments out of the box and can be configured for less common environments. On supported desktops, a tray icon can pause or resume rotation; otherwise, similar controls are available through the desktop entry menu. The program can show quotations or a digital clock on the desktop. It requires Python 3.9 or later, with packages listed in Arch Linux, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, Ubuntu, and NixOS repositories. The project is licensed under GPL-3.0. Variety Slideshow is an optional integration for pan-and-zoom slideshows and screensavers. The maintainers describe the project as being in maintenance mode and say they lack time to triage all reported issues or make major changes. Its listed free plan costs nothing.
Good
- Free and GPL-3.0 licensed
- Supports local and online wallpaper sources
- Rotates wallpapers automatically
- Works with most Linux desktop environments
- Can display quotes or a digital clock
Watch out
- Linux only
- Requires Python 3.9 or later
- Project is in maintenance mode
- Maintainers cannot triage all reported issues
Who it suits
It suits Linux users who want rotating wallpapers from local or online sources. Users comfortable with Python 3.9 or later and the listed distributions can install it through available packages.
Verdict
Variety provides wallpaper rotation, source selection, image organization, and desktop extras at no cost on Linux. Its maintenance-mode status means users should account for limited issue triage and major-change support.
Plans and prices
From Variety's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Wallpaper manager for Linux systems · GPL-3.0 licensed |
The facts
Each one read from Variety's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Controls
- Where supported, a tray icon allows pausing and resuming; otherwise, similar options are available through the desktop entry menu.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Desktop environments
- It supports most Linux desktop environments out of the box and can be configured for less common ones.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Desktop extras
- It can display quotations or a digital clock on the desktop.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The project lists packages in the Arch Linux, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, Ubuntu, and NixOS repositories.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Image management
- It provides ways to separate preferred images from unwanted ones.checked 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies the project license as GPL-3.0.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Maintenance status
- The project says it is in maintenance mode and that current maintainers lack time to triage all issues and make major changes.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Optional integration
- Variety Slideshow is described as an optional pan-and-zoom image slideshow and screensaver that integrates with Variety.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Variety is a wallpaper manager for Linux systems.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- Running Variety requires Python 3.9 or later.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Rotation
- It can rotate wallpapers on a regular interval.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support limits
- The maintainers say they do not have time to triage all reported issues.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Wallpaper sources
- It can use local images or download wallpapers from Wallhaven, Unsplash, Bing, Reddit, and other online sources.checked 11 Oct 2026
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