Is Equinox Free to Use, and How Is It Supported?
Updated
Yes. Equinox is described on its site as a free and open-source app for creating macOS dynamic wallpapers, and it is distributed through GitHub and the Mac App Store. The site presents no paid tiers, ads, or watermarks on created wallpapers. Funding is optional: users can contribute through a PayPal link labeled "Support via PayPal." Because the source code is available on GitHub, the project's development and distribution are transparent and community-visible.
What "free" covers
The site's own wording and user reviews point to the same conclusion:
- No cost to create wallpapers. The app is labeled "free and open-source," and the creation workflow (choosing a wallpaper type, making solar calculations, and setting the desktop) is presented without any purchase step.
- No ads or premium features. A review quoted on the site states the app is free "without ads, premium features for money or with a watermark."
- No watermark on output. Created wallpapers are not branded by the app, according to that same review.
- Local creation. The site says you can "create unique wallpapers as much as you want locally," meaning the work happens on your Mac rather than through a paid cloud service.
One caveat: the site does not publish a formal price list or licensing terms beyond "free and open-source." If you need exact licensing details for redistribution or commercial use, check the repository on GitHub, since the source code and its license live there.
How the project is supported
Support is voluntary and does not unlock features:
| Support channel | What it is | Effect on the app |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal | A "Support via PayPal" link on the site | Optional donation; no feature gating mentioned |
| GitHub | Source code and distribution ("Available on Github") | Open development; users can inspect, report issues, or contribute |
| Mac App Store | A download listing | Standard distribution channel; the site does not describe paid content there |
The site also lists a press kit and contact page, which are typical of a small independent project maintained by its author (credited as rlxone).
Practical implications for you
- If you just want dynamic wallpapers: download from GitHub or the Mac App Store and use the three wallpaper types (Solar, Time, Appearance) at no cost. Appearance mode needs two images, one for light and one for dark mode.
- If you want to verify the "free" claim yourself: the GitHub repository is the most direct evidence, since the code and license are public.
- If you want to support the developer: the PayPal link is the stated route, and it is framed as support rather than a purchase.
- If cost is a deciding factor versus other apps: Equinox's differentiator is that it is free, open-source, ad-free, and watermark-free, per the site and the reviews it quotes. The site does not compare it to paid alternatives, so weigh that against your own needs.
The site does not mention any login requirement, subscription, or trial period, so there is no indication that usage is time-limited or account-gated.