Wallpaper-based clock
Cadran draws clock faces on the wallpaper layer, so the clock stays visible behind icons without opening a window or adding a widget.
Cadran
Cadran is a macOS wallpaper clock app with animated faces, screen saver mode, and optional desktop complications. It offers a free download and a one-time Pro upgrade for advanced controls and per-monitor customization.
Overview
Cadran is a macOS desktop clock app that places animated clock faces directly on the wallpaper layer, behind icons and across every Space and display. It is designed to stay visible without using a window or widget, and the site positions it as a native Mac app.
The product centers on visual customization and low-friction setup: users pick a face, choose a background or transparent mode, and control the app from the menu bar. The homepage also highlights screen saver mode, automatic updates, and support for Apple Silicon, Intel Macs, and macOS Sonoma 14.0+.
What Cadran does
Multiple face categories
The app includes 22 animated faces, grouped into Numeric, Analog, Data, Abstract, Matrix, and Spectrum styles.
Background control
Users can choose a preset background or switch to transparent mode to keep an existing wallpaper visible.
Per-display customization
Cadran supports per-monitor setup, including different faces and colors on each display in Pro.
Complications on selected faces
Supported faces can show live data such as weather, date, battery, and moon phase, with Apple WeatherKit used for weather faces.
Desktop-friendly extras
The app offers screen saver mode, automatic updates, multilingual clock text, and stealth options such as hiding seconds or the Dock icon.
Common ways people use Cadran
A desktop clock that stays in view
Keep a clock visible on the desktop without adding a widget or opening a separate window.
Multi-monitor customization
Choose a different face, palette, or even a different face per monitor when you want each screen to look distinct.
Idle display and screen saver use
Use the screen saver mode when you want the clock to fill the screen while the Mac is idle.
Lightweight desktop information
Show extra information such as date, weather, battery, or moon phase on supported faces for at-a-glance status.
Wallpaper-friendly setups
Use transparent mode or background presets to keep Cadran compatible with an existing wallpaper setup.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Clock stays on the wallpaper layer, so it remains visible behind desktop icons.
- 22 animated clock faces give users a lot of visual variety.
- Screen saver mode is included, and all faces are available in screen saver mode on the free tier.
- The app is described as privacy-first, with no accounts, no telemetry, and preferences stored on the Mac.
- Free version is available, and the site says the app can be downloaded without an account.
Cons
- Advanced options such as per-monitor setup, moving and resizing the clock, and all faces are part of Cadran Pro.
- Weather-related faces rely on Apple WeatherKit, so live weather data depends on that service.
FAQ
Is Cadran really free?
Yes. The homepage and pricing section say Cadran is free to download, and the pricing page describes a free tier with six free clock faces, basic complications, background presets, and screen saver mode.
What macOS versions and hardware does Cadran support?
The homepage says Cadran works on macOS Sonoma 14.0+ and supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
How is Cadran set up and used day to day?
The homepage says Cadran can be set to launch at login and lives in the menu bar rather than the Dock. The contact page also presents it as a native macOS app.
How many Macs can use Cadran Pro?
The pricing page says Cadran Pro license covers up to 3 devices, and the contact page says to reach support for more devices.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Desktop clock / macOS wallpaper app
- Platform
- macOS Sonoma 14.0+, Apple Silicon and Intel
- Pricing
- Free download; Pro is a one-time purchase
- Licensing
- Pro covers up to 3 Macs
- Company location
- Toulouse, France
- Website
- cadranapp.com
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