One large disc, one small form and a single fine line, balanced across a lot of empty space.
One large disc, one small form and a single fine line, balanced across a lot of empty space.
In the app you can adjust the colours and disc size, keep one variation or get a new one every time, and choose how often it fades to the next. Nothing moves in between, so it uses almost no energy – one still image, drawn natively on your Mac at full resolution.
Use it on your Mac
- Get SCRNSVRS free from the Mac App Store.
- Select Sparse Balance in the library.
- Click Set as Screensaver or Set as Wallpaper – or both.
Preview free · macOS Tahoe 26 or laterNeed a hand? Read the setup guide.
Sparse Balance FAQ
How do I set Sparse Balance as my screensaver on a Mac?
Install SCRNSVRS free from the Mac App Store, select Sparse Balance in the library and click Set as Screensaver. macOS starts it whenever your Mac is idle, exactly like a built-in screensaver.
Can I use Sparse Balance as a live wallpaper?
Yes. Click Set as Wallpaper in SCRNSVRS and Sparse Balance plays on your desktop behind your windows and icons. You can use it as screensaver and wallpaper at the same time.
Is Sparse Balance free?
Sparse Balance is included in SCRNSVRS Unlimited. It's free for your first 7 days; after that Unlimited is $1.99/month or $9.99/year (€1.99/month or €9.99/year) for every screensaver, including new ones. It can also come up in Free this month, when 25 premium screensavers are free for everyone.
Is Sparse Balance a video loop?
No. Sparse Balance is drawn on your Mac with Metal at your display's full resolution, then holds still, so it stays sharp on any display size and uses almost no energy. The preview on this page is a capture of the real thing.
Will Sparse Balance slow down my Mac or drain the battery?
No. SCRNSVRS drops to 30 fps on battery and stops rendering when the wallpaper is covered by a full-screen app, so Sparse Balance costs next to nothing in everyday use.
Which Macs does Sparse Balance run on?
Sparse Balance needs macOS Tahoe 26 or later.
