Every Desktop Widget App for Windows, Tested
We've tried every app on this list while building ours. Some are tools with years of community behind them. Others are small projects that solve one thing well. Here's an honest look at what's available in 2026.
1. Monitor Flows
Price: Free / Pro & Max plans
A dashboard app that takes over a dedicated screen and turns it into a configurable widget layout. 50+ widgets built in, drag-and-drop grid editor, community skins. Works on any display: ultrawides, bar screens, vertical monitors.
Standout features:
- 50+ widgets, nothing to download separately
- Drag-and-drop grid editor
- Community skins that apply across all widgets
- Works on any screen, not locked to specific hardware
- All data stored locally
Best for: People who want a configured dashboard screen running in minutes, not hours.
Join the waitlist for early access.
2. Rainmeter
Price: Free (open source)
The original desktop customization tool for Windows, active since 2001. Massive community, thousands of skins, infinite depth. You control every pixel through .ini config files.
Standout features:
- 20+ years of community skins
- Fully open source
- Deep customization via config files
Downsides: Steep learning curve. Setting up a cohesive layout takes hours to days. Skin quality varies.
Best for: People who enjoy the configuration process as much as the result.
3. Windows 11 Native Widgets
Price: Free (built into Windows 11)
The widget panel built into Windows 11, accessible from the taskbar. Shows weather, news, stocks, and calendar.
Standout features:
- Pre-installed, zero setup
- Microsoft ecosystem integration
Downsides: Limited to Microsoft/MSN content. No developer tools. No dedicated screen support. Minimal customization.
Best for: Casual users who want basic info without installing anything.
4. Widget Launcher
Price: Free / Pro version available
A clean, simple widget app with basic widgets: clock, weather, notes. Does a few things well without complexity.
Best for: Users who want two or three widgets and nothing more.
5. BeWidgets
Price: Free (open source)
Modern and minimal. Supports date, time, weather, and custom widgets with a clean visual style.
Best for: Minimalists who want lightweight widgets that blend into their desktop.
6. 8GadgetPack
Price: Free
Brings Windows 7 gadgets back to modern Windows. Functional but visually dated.
Best for: Users who miss Windows 7 gadgets and want them back as-is.
7. Win10 Widgets
Price: Free
Built on top of Rainmeter with a Windows 10 design language. Pre-configured skins that install in one click.
Best for: People who want Rainmeter results without learning Rainmeter.
8. Desktop Gadgets
Price: Free
Another Windows 7 gadget revival. Simple, functional, not actively developed.
Best for: Basic widget needs with zero learning curve.
9. Lively Wallpaper
Price: Free (open source)
Animated wallpapers and web-based widgets on your desktop. Not a traditional widget app, but adds visual life to your screen.
Best for: Users who want animated backgrounds more than functional widgets.
10. Komorebi
Price: Free (open source)
A tiling window manager for Windows. Not a widget app, but a productivity tool that organizes windows automatically.
Best for: Keyboard-driven users who want tiling window management.
How to Decide
If you want a full dashboard screen with 50+ widgets and zero config files, start with Monitor Flows.
If you want total control over every pixel and enjoy the setup process, Rainmeter has the deepest community and the most flexibility.
If you just want weather and a clock without installing anything, Windows 11 widgets are already on your machine.