This $20 screensaver is the best purchase I’ve made so far in 2026

These days, most of us spend proportionally more money on tech hardware than we do on software. In 2026, big operating system updates are free to download and install, most online games, services, and social networking sites offer free ad-supported tiers, and the days of $1 mobile app purchases are firmly in the past.

That being said, free software does come at a price, even if it’s not immediately noticeable or of direct monetary value. Telemetry, data scraping, intrusive ad trackers, pay-to-win schemes, loot boxes, obtrusive UIs, and general end-user experience enshittification are commonplace, adding credence to the “if you’re not paying for a product, then you’re the product” mantra.

It’s within this context that I’ve come to realize that some software is absolutely worth paying for, not only to reward developers for their hard, passion-driven work, but also to optimize my computing experience across both PC and mobile. I’ll happily drop a few dollars on a clever, well-optimized application or theme if the product offers superior attention to detail.

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking: screensavers and applications aren’t exactly an apples to apples comparison. With so many free options available to choose from — including an extensive out-of-box catalog built right into macOS — why on earth would I decide to spend $20 on a clock-face screensaver for my iMac?

Normally, I’d agree — $20 is a lot of money to drop on a single screensaver, especially for one that only works on a single computing platform. But Bauhaus Clock is, as they say, built different. It evokes a sense of premium craftsmanship, performing double duty as both a time piece and as an aesthetic accent piece.

Bauhaus Clock ticks all the right boxes

The macOS screensaver experience done right

There are several third-party macOS screensavers that I’m a big fan of, and Bauhaus Clock is right near the top of that list. The product’s clock face is visually elegant, with high-resolution assets, fluid animations, and a responsive design that adapts to macOS’ light and dark modes. Bauhaus also offers its own smart algorithms for reducing the risk of display burn-in, which works by slightly shifting around its on-screen assets throughout the day.

On the user customization front, Bauhaus Clock offers quite a bit by screensaver standards. There’s a quick option for freely switching between a larger and a more compact dial, in addition to a day and night toggle. In its light mode, there are thirteen well-considered watch dial colorways to choose from, each with their own corresponding naming scheme.

When in dark mode, the background is replaced with pure black, and you can switch between one of fourteen luminescence colors to light up the hands, dial, and numbers. Of note is the red option, which works well at nighttime for reducing light pollution and for preserving night vision.

Uniquely, and what sets Bauhaus Clock apart from other run-of-the-mill clock screensavers, is the option to toggle between three distinct seconds arm movement options. Quartz emulates the second-by-second ‘tick’ of its real-life counterpart, mechanical offers a satisfying sweeping animation, and digital provides a smooth, continuous flow.

Part of me wishes there was a color picker within the Appearance menu to dial in the exact hue of my preference, but I can also appreciate the need for restraint in order to avoid contrast and visibility issues. Thankfully, the pre-configured colors cover the basics, with a standard white option, a few saturated ones, and a few pastel tones. Still, I do wish there were some additional options to choose from here.

Screensavers deserve more love

I wish the screensaver scene was more active

I love the ambiance that screensavers provide for my living space, and it’s for this reason I always have them enabled across every device in my home. Considering how often my iMac’s screen is lit up by a clock, by psychedelic swirls, or by scenic imagery, I want the experience to be as top-notch as can be.

Bauhaus Clock fits the bill perfectly as a digital extension to my home aesthetic. Not only is it functional as a way to keep track of time, but it performs its duties in style and with burn-in prevention in mind. I’m awfully interested in experiencing the product’s dark mode through the lens of an inky OLED display panel, but I unfortunately don’t have the hardware on hand to do so at the moment.

If there’s one request I have for the developer behind Bauhaus Clock, it’s to port the product over to other platforms like Windows 11 and Android. A mobile-friendly version would make for a lovely Standby Mode-style screensaver, and it would compliment my Pixel 10 perfectly when mounted to the wireless Qi2 charging stand I have on my nightstand.

At an overarching level, I’d love to see rekindled interest in creating attractive-yet-functional screensavers across the board. Windows 11’s modern screensaver scene is abysmal, Android is only just now beginning to catch up to speed, and iPadOS somehow still doesn’t have a StandBy mode to speak of. We need more Bauhaus-style options on the PC and mobile side of things; I, for one, would drop a pretty penny on a quality screensaver for my Surface tablet any day of the week, and I know I can’t be the only one.