The best screensavers for Mac are not random files from download mirrors. They are safe, current tools that fit your Mac version, show what you actually want to see, and do not turn your idle display into a tiny malware gamble.

For most Mac users, start with Aerial for cinematic video, Fliqlo for a clean flip clock, iScreensaver if you want to build your own, SaveHollywood if you want personal videos, and XScreenSaver if you like old-school visual experiments. Windows users should look at Fliqlo, gPhotoShow Pro, Ultra Screen Saver Maker, and Dream Aquarium.

Quick picks: best screensavers for Mac and Windows

If you only want a pretty idle screen, pick Aerial on Mac or Fliqlo on either platform. If you want to use your own photos or videos, pick iScreensaver, SaveHollywood, or gPhotoShow Pro. If you need to package a real Windows .scr screensaver, use Ultra Screen Saver Maker.

How to choose a safe screensaver in 2026

A screensaver runs when you are away from your computer. Treat it like software, not decoration.

Download from the developer's official site whenever possible. Use Apple's screen saver settings guide for native Mac setup, then use official developer pages for third-party tools. Avoid random .scr files, old ZIP archives from mirror sites, and anything bundled with installers you did not ask for. Windows screensavers are executable files, so a sketchy screensaver is still a sketchy app.

Check 5 things before installing:

• Platform support: macOS Sonoma, Sequoia, Tahoe, Windows 10, or Windows 11 support matters.
• Source: official developer page beats a download directory.
• Media support: photos, videos, clocks, aquariums, or generative effects are different jobs.
• Power use: video, 3D, and aquarium savers can use more GPU and battery than a simple clock.
• Lock settings: use macOS or Windows for password protection. Do not trust an unknown screensaver to secure your machine.

Apple's own screen saver settings live in System Settings, where you can choose aerials, photos, shuffle options, and lock timing. That is enough for many Mac users. Third-party tools make sense when you want more control, your own videos, or a specific visual style.

Best screensavers for Mac

Mac users get the better screensaver ecosystem in 2026. Apple already ships good aerial-style options, and third-party developers add the parts Apple leaves out: overlays, custom videos, playlist control, and retro visual effects.

Fliqlo: best flip-clock screensaver for Mac and Windows

Choose Fliqlo if you want a clean clock that looks good from across the room.

Fliqlo turns your Mac or Windows screen into a black-and-white flip clock. The official Fliqlo page lists 12/24-hour display, landscape or portrait orientation, dimming, display size controls, and a Mac-only option for single or multiple displays.

The compatibility detail matters. Fliqlo's current Mac version requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later, while the Windows version requires Windows 11. The site also offers an older Mac build for macOS 13 Ventura or earlier.

Use it if:

• You want a simple clock, not a visual effects show.
• You use a desk setup where the time should be readable from a distance.
• You want one of the best screensavers for Mac and Windows with almost no setup.

Skip it if you want photos, videos, widgets, or deep styling. Fliqlo does one job. That is the point.

Aerial: best Mac screensaver for cinematic video

Choose Aerial if you want the Apple TV screensaver look on your Mac, but with more control.

Aerial plays Apple's high-quality aerial videos as a Mac screensaver and live desktop wallpaper. The official Aerial site describes support for overlays, multi-display layouts, your own videos, live streams, community expansion packs, and Apple Silicon or Intel Macs. The latest public page lists Aerial 4.0.10 for macOS 15+.

Aerial is the best pick if you want a cinematic Mac screen saver without building anything yourself. You can use cities, deserts, oceans, ISS footage, personal .mov or .mp4 files, clock overlays, weather overlays, and per-monitor layouts.

Use it if:

• You want the best Mac screensaver for cinematic visuals.
• You have a modern Mac and do not mind video playback while idle.
• You want your own videos mixed into the rotation.
• You prefer a free, open-source tool with active updates.

Skip it if you use an older Mac or want the lowest possible battery use. Video savers look great, but they are not the lightest option.

iScreensaver: best custom screensaver maker for Mac and Windows

Choose iScreensaver if you want to create and share your own screensaver instead of picking a ready-made one.

iScreensaver 6 is a cross-platform screensaver maker. Its official download page lists support for macOS 10.12 to 26 and Windows 10 or Windows 11 64-bit. That makes it stronger than the old Mac-only framing in the original article.

The main use case is packaging your own media into a custom saver. That can mean photo slideshows, branded screensavers, portfolio displays, art projects, or personal visual loops. It is more of a builder than a casual plug-and-play screensaver.

Use it if:

• You need a custom screensaver for Mac and Windows.
• You want to distribute a screensaver to clients, family, or a team.
• You want a proper screensaver maker instead of a single visual theme.

Skip it if you only need a clock or a pretty idle screen. Aerial and Fliqlo are simpler.

XScreenSaver: best classic/open-source screensaver collection

Choose XScreenSaver if you want a huge collection of classic visual effects and do not mind a more technical feel.

XScreenSaver is an old, respected screensaver project from Jamie Zawinski. It is best known for its large collection of visual modules: abstract patterns, simulations, mathematical effects, retro graphics, and the kind of idle-screen weirdness people miss from older desktops.

Platform support needs careful wording. The official XScreenSaver Windows page says there is no official Windows port and asks people not to distribute Windows ports. So do not treat XScreenSaver as a Windows recommendation. Use it for Mac, Linux, and other supported ports, not Windows.

Use it if:

• You want variety instead of one fixed look.
• You like classic desktop effects.
• You are comfortable with open-source software and older-school interfaces.

Skip it if you want polished modern onboarding or Windows support.

SaveHollywood: best Mac video screensaver for personal movies

Choose SaveHollywood if you want your own videos to play when your Mac goes idle.

SaveHollywood is a Mac screen saver module that plays movie files in screen saver mode. The official WhiteBox page lists version 2.5, freeware licensing, OS X 10.8 or later, movie playlists, random playback, sizing controls, title display, background color, audio controls, and multi-display options.

The caution: the official page is old and includes notes about macOS Catalina compatibility issues. That does not make SaveHollywood useless, but it does mean you should verify it on your current macOS version before relying on it.

Use it if:

• You want a video screensaver Mac tool for your own clips.
• You have a folder of videos you want to rotate.
• You care more about personal media than Apple-style aerial footage.

Skip it if you want active modern packaging for the latest macOS releases. Aerial is the cleaner modern video choice for most Mac users.

Dream Aquarium: best aquarium screensaver if you want that specific look

Dream Aquarium is a 3D aquarium-style screensaver for people who want a calm fish tank on their display. It is a style pick. You either want an aquarium saver or you do not.

Keep the recommendation narrow. Download it only from a trustworthy source, confirm current Mac or Windows support before buying, and expect more GPU use than a static clock or basic slideshow.

Use it if you specifically want an aquarium. Skip it if you want a modern media-based screensaver or the lightest idle behavior.

System 47: best sci-fi nostalgia screensaver for Mac

Choose System 47 if you want your Mac to look like a retro-futuristic sci-fi terminal.

System 47 is a niche pick. It is not the practical answer for most people, but it has a clear audience: fans of LCARS-style interfaces and old sci-fi computer screens. The appeal is the mood, not customization depth.

Use it if you want a Mac screensaver with character. Skip it if you need current business polish, cross-platform support, or official long-term compatibility guarantees. With niche savers like this, check the download source and macOS version support before installing.

Best screensavers for Windows

Windows users need to be pickier. A .scr screensaver is executable software, and the web is full of old download pages that have not aged well.

The safest Windows route is to use official developer pages, Microsoft Store listings when available, or the built-in Windows slideshow if photos are enough. Do not install a screensaver just because it has a nice thumbnail on a download site.

Fliqlo: best simple clock screensaver for Windows 11

Fliqlo is also the cleanest Windows recommendation if your goal is a clock. The official Fliqlo Windows build now lists Windows 11 as the requirement.

That is important because many old Fliqlo articles still talk about Windows 7, Windows 8, or generic Windows support. For 2026, use the official requirement as your guide.

gPhotoShow Pro: best Windows photo and video slideshow screensaver

gPhotoShow Pro is a Windows slideshow and screen saver tool for people who want to use their own media. The official gPhotoShow site describes it as a photo slideshow maker and screen saver with transition effects, Pan and Zoom animations, multi-monitor support, captions, background music, and support for photo and video files.

It also offers export options for EXE or SCR files. That makes it useful if you want a real custom screensaver, not just Windows' built-in photo slideshow.

Use it if:

• You want a custom photo screensaver Windows setup.
• You need captions, transitions, music, or multi-monitor control.
• You want to run slideshows locally or package them.

Ultra Screen Saver Maker: best Windows screensaver maker

Ultra Screen Saver Maker is for people who want to create a packaged Windows screensaver from media files.

The official Finalhit page says it supports Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7. It can add images, sounds, movies, text, websites, and keyword-based image sources. It also lists support for image formats like JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIFF, BMP, and TGA; audio formats like MP3, WAV, and MIDI; and video formats like AVI, WMV, and MPEG.

Use it if:

• You need a Windows screensaver maker for personal or business use.
• You want to build a self-contained screensaver project.
• You need more than a photo slideshow.

Be careful with internet image sources. If a screensaver pulls images from the web, make sure you have the right to use those images, especially for work or public displays.

Can you use your own photos or videos as a screensaver?

Yes. Both Mac and Windows can use your own photos without third-party software. For videos, third-party tools help more.

On Mac, Apple's screen saver settings can use photos and aerial-style visuals. Aerial can mix in your own .mov or .mp4 files. SaveHollywood focuses on personal movie playback. iScreensaver lets you build a custom saver for sharing or distribution.

On Windows, the built-in slideshow works for basic photo screensavers. gPhotoShow Pro adds transitions, captions, background music, multi-monitor support, and export options. Ultra Screen Saver Maker is the better fit if you need to create a packaged .scr file.

A small legal note: use photos and videos you own or have permission to use. A personal screensaver on your own desk is one thing. A branded office display, public kiosk, or client screensaver needs proper image rights.

Do screensavers save power?

No, not in the way people used to mean.

Screensavers were useful when CRT monitors could suffer burn-in. Modern LCD and OLED displays have different concerns. If your goal is saving power, let the display sleep. A video screensaver can use more power than doing nothing.

Use screensavers for privacy, aesthetics, mood, or display branding. Use sleep settings for battery life.

Best screensaver tools by use case

A quick note on desktop customization

Screensavers are only one part of making a desktop feel less generic. If you are organizing your actual desktop folders, Softorino has separate tools for that job: [Folder Colorizer for Mac](/folder-colorizer-mac) and [Folder Colorizer 2 for Windows](/folder-colorizer). They color-code folders; they do not change screensavers.

If you need legal stock photos for visual projects, [PicFindr](/picfindr) helps find free high-resolution images from Pexels and Pixabay. Again, it is not a screensaver app. It is just useful when you need better images for personal desktop visuals or creative work.

FAQs

Final verdict

Pick the screensaver that matches your platform first, then your style.

For the best screensavers for Mac, Aerial is the strongest modern pick, Fliqlo is the cleanest clock, and iScreensaver is the practical builder. For Windows, Fliqlo covers the simple clock job, gPhotoShow Pro handles photo and video slideshows, and Ultra Screen Saver Maker is the serious custom screensaver maker.

Whatever you choose, download from the official source. A screensaver should make your idle screen nicer, not make your computer regret being idle.