The Most Popular Screensaver, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the screensaver you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:48
Choosing the right screensaver for your computer can surprisingly impact your daily mood and productivity. With a myriad of choices available, finding one that truly resonates with your taste can sometimes be daunting. A consolidated list of top-ranked selections simplifies this decision, providing a snapshot of public favor and trends.
By participating in the voting process, you not only ensure that your preferences are represented, but you also help others by guiding them towards widely appreciated options. This live ranking offers a fresh perspective with each new vote, reflecting current preferences and possibly introducing you to new and appealing choices.
What Is the Most Popular Screensaver?
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144votes
Flying Toasters
After Dark SoftwareThis screensaver was popular in the 90s and early 2000s. It featured flying toasters and other kitchen appliances.Flying Toasters is a screensaver that features animated toasters flying across the computer screen. It was originally created in the early 1990s as part of the After Dark screensaver collection.- Release Year: 1991
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS
- Resolution: Variable, depending on screen size
- Animation Style: 2D sprite-based animation
- Toasters: Multiple toasters, usually between 4 to 8
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223votes
Mariusz Kubik, http://www.mariuszkubik.pl · CC BY 2.53D Pipes
MicrosoftThis screensaver is a classic and was included in Windows 95. It features 3D pipes that move around on the screen.3D Pipes is a classic screensaver that simulates a maze of colorful pipes moving in a three-dimensional space. The pipes appear to be moving and rotating, creating an illusion of depth and complexity.- Release Year: 1990
- Operating System: Windows
- Display Mode: Full-screen
- Graphics: 2D and 3D graphics
- Color Palette: Vibrant colors
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319votesThis screensaver was introduced in Windows 95 and features colorful moving lines that create abstract patterns.Mystify is a popular screensaver that creates mesmerizing abstract designs on the screen. It employs colorful flowing ribbons, resembling smoke or waves, which move and intertwine in an organic manner.
- Operating System: Windows
- Released: 1995
- Resolution: Supports various resolutions
- Customization: User can adjust speed and complexity
- Color Palette: Vibrant and dynamic colors
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416votesThis screensaver simulates an aquarium with fish swimming around. It's popular for its calming effect.The "Aquarium" screensaver is a visually stunning and immersive experience that transforms your computer screen into a vibrant underwater world. It features a vibrant collection of marine life, including colorful fish, coral reefs, and waving aquatic plants. The realistic animation and soothing background sounds create a serene environment, offering a peaceful escape from the daily hustle and bustle.
- Resolution Support: From 800x600 to 4K
- Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, Linux
- Number of Fish Species: Over 30
- Customization Options: Fish behavior, tank decorations
- Sound Options: Adjustable volume, mute option
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515votesThis screensaver was included in Windows 98 and features a flying through space effect.Starfield is an upcoming open-world role-playing game (RPG) developed by Bethesda Game Studios. Set in space, it promises players a vast and immersive experience as they explore the unknown depths of the universe. With a focus on exploration and discovery, Starfield aims to captivate players with its intriguing storyline, unique gameplay mechanics, and visually stunning graphics.
- Genre: Open-world RPG
- Setting: Space
- Exploration: Emphasized
- Gameplay: Unique mechanics
- Graphics: Visually stunning
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611votes
After Dark
Berkeley SystemsThis was a popular screensaver software in the 90s that included many different screensavers, including Flying Toasters and Mystify.After Dark is a popular screensaver software that was first released in 1989. It gained significant popularity among early computer users for its visually stunning and interactive screensaver modules. Each module featured various animated and interactive visual effects to entertain users when their computer was idle. The software allowed users to customize their screensaver preferences and choose from a wide range of modules, such as flying toasters, fish tanks, and psychedelic patterns. After Dark became a beloved staple of personal computer software and continued to be popular throughout the 1990s.- First Release Year: 1989
- Screensaver Modules: Multiple
- Visual Effects: Animated and interactive
- Customization Options: Available
- Module Examples: Flying toasters, fish tanks, psychedelic patterns
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78votesThis screensaver displays a digital clock with a flip animation. It's popular for its minimalist design.Fliqlo is a popular digital clock screensaver that mimics the appearance of a retro flip clock. It displays the time in a large, easily readable format, with the hours and minutes flipping like old-fashioned clock digits.
- Version: 2.6.1
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS
- Display Mode: Full screen
- Customization: Adjustable size and color
- Background Options: Black, White
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811votes
Electric Sheep
Scott DravesThis screensaver is a crowd-sourced project that displays abstract digital art. The art is created by combining the contributions of many users.Electric Sheep is a screensaver created by Scott Draves that generates a collaborative abstract animation using an algorithm based on the collective intelligence of thousands of computers and people. The screensaver displays dynamic fractal animations that continuously evolve over time.- Algorithm: Uses an algorithm based on the collective intelligence of thousands of computers and people.
- Fractals: Displays dynamic fractal animations.
- Animation Evolution: Animations continuously evolve over time.
- Collaborative: Generated by a collaborative effort of computers and people.
- Community Contribution: Users can contribute their own animations to the global network.
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910votesThis screensaver simulates a cozy fireplace with crackling fire and ambient sound effects. It's popular during the winter months.The 'Fireplace' screensaver depicts a cozy fireplace scene, designed to bring warmth and ambiance to computer screens. It displays a realistic animated fire burning inside a traditional fireplace, complete with crackling sound effects and flickering flames. The screensaver creates a soothing atmosphere, reminiscent of a rustic cabin or a peaceful winter evening by the hearth.
- Resolution: Supports various screen resolutions (e.g., 720p, 1080p)
- Sound Effects: Realistic crackling fire sound effects
- Customization: Ability to adjust flame intensity and background music
- Compatibility: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms
- Realism: Provides high-quality animation and lifelike fire effects
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1012votesThis screensaver displays a rotating 3D model of the Earth. It's popular for its educational and aesthetic value.Earth is a unique and diverse planet located in the Solar System, known for its abundant life forms and varied landscapes. It is the third planet from the Sun and is the only known celestial body to support life. With a diameter of about 12,742 kilometers, Earth has a complex ecosystem that sustains a wide array of flora and fauna. Its surface is primarily covered by water bodies, comprising approximately 71% of its total area.
- Radius: 6,371 kilometers
- Mass: 5.97 x 10^24 kilograms
- Average Surface Temperature: 16 degrees Celsius
- Atmosphere: 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, trace amounts of other gases
- Number of Continents: 7
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Ranking factors for popular screensaver
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Visual appealThe aesthetic value of the screensaver is a significant factor in determining its popularity. A visually appealing screensaver will capture attention and be more enjoyable to have on display.
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CustomizabilityA screensaver that allows for customization, such as changing colors, patterns, or images, is generally more popular than one with limited options. This allows users to personalize their screensaver to suit their preferences and style.
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Smooth transitions and animationsA screensaver that has smooth transitions and animations will create a more immersive and enjoyable experience, increasing its popularity.
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Low system resource usageA popular screensaver should consume minimal system resources, ensuring that it doesn't slow down or interrupt the user's computer performance.
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CompatibilityThe screensaver should be compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, to cater to a broader audience.
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Ease of installation and useA popular screensaver should be easy to install and configure, making it accessible for novice and experienced users alike.
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Reliability and stabilityA good screensaver should run smoothly without causing any errors, crashes, or other technical issues.
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Regular updates and supportA popular screensaver should receive regular updates that include new features, bug fixes, and general improvements. Additionally, there should be reliable customer support to assist users with any issues that may arise.
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User reviews and ratingsScreensavers with high user ratings and positive reviews are more likely to be popular, indicating that they are high-quality and well-received by users.
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Brand reputationA screensaver developed by a reputable and well-known company or designer is more likely to be popular, as users may feel more confident in its quality and performance.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular screensaver. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or screensaver is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1906 views
- 157 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each screensaver once every 24 hours. The rank of each screensaver is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular screensaver
Screensavers have been a popular feature on computers since the early days of personal computing. Originally designed to prevent burn-in on CRT monitors, screensavers have evolved into a way to add a touch of personalization to your computer. With countless options available, it’s no wonder that people have strong opinions about which screensaver is the best. From simple animations to mesmerizing landscapes, there’s a screensaver out there for everyone. So, what is the most popular screensaver? Let’s explore some of the top contenders and see if we can come to a consensus.
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