Wallpaper-layer clock
Cadran draws clock faces on the wallpaper layer, so the clock stays visible behind your icons instead of opening a window or widget.
Cadran
Cadran is a macOS app that puts an animated clock on your wallpaper, behind icons and across displays. It offers a free tier, screen saver mode, and a Pro upgrade for more faces and per-monitor control.
Overview
Cadran is a native macOS desktop clock app that places animated clock faces directly on the wallpaper layer, behind your icons and across every Space and display. It is designed to stay visible without using widgets or ordinary windows.
The app offers 22 clock faces, screen saver mode, and customization options for backgrounds, colors, and supported complications. The site also states that setup takes under a minute, the app is free to download, and Pro adds more faces and deeper per-display control.
What Cadran does
Face gallery with free and premium options
The app includes 22 animated faces, with six free options and additional premium faces available in Pro.
Complications on selected faces
Supported faces can show live data such as weather, date, battery, and moon phase through complications.
Background and color controls
You can choose background presets or use transparent mode, and the app can adapt text colors to the wallpaper for readability.
Per-display customization
Cadran can be configured per monitor, including face and color assignment on Pro, so different displays can be set up separately.
Screen saver and menu bar workflow
The app includes a screen saver mode for a full-screen clock when the Mac is idle, plus menu bar controls for quick changes.
Common ways people use Cadran
Keep time on the desktop
Use Cadran as a subtle desktop clock that stays visible without opening a separate window or relying on a widget.
Customize multiple displays
Set one face on the internal display and a different face or color on another monitor when you want each screen to have its own look.
Work with an existing wallpaper
Pick a background preset or transparent mode to match an existing wallpaper while keeping the clock readable.
Use it as a screen saver clock
Turn on the screen saver mode when the Mac is idle to show a full-screen clock on the display.
Start free and expand later
Choose a free face and basic complications if you only need a simple desktop clock, then upgrade later if you want more control.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Places the clock on the wallpaper layer, so it remains visible behind icons across Spaces and displays.
- Offers a free tier with basic faces, complications, and background presets.
- Includes a screen saver mode and menu bar controls for quick access.
- Supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs running macOS Sonoma 14.0+.
- States a privacy-first approach with no accounts and no analytics SDKs.
Cons
- The pricing page is unavailable on the site URL provided, so the public pricing details need to be taken from the homepage instead.
- Advanced features such as all faces, more complications, and per-display setup are reserved for Pro.
FAQ
How do I install and set up Cadran?
Cadran is a native macOS app, so installation is handled on a Mac through the app download or Homebrew cask. The site says setup takes under a minute and that you can launch it at login so it stays in the background.
Which macOS versions and Macs are supported?
The site lists support for macOS Sonoma 14.0+ and both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
What does Cadran actually display on the desktop?
Cadran shows a clock on the wallpaper layer behind icons. The site says it works across every Space and display, and it includes a screen saver mode.
Is Cadran free to use?
Yes. The pricing section presents a free version with 6 free clock faces, basic complications, background presets, and all faces available in screen saver mode.
What does the Pro version include?
The site says Cadran Pro is a one-time purchase that unlocks all clock faces, advanced controls, per-display setup, and use on up to 3 Macs.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Desktop customization / macOS utility
- Platform
- macOS Sonoma 14.0+; Apple Silicon and Intel
- Product type
- Native Mac app
- Pricing
- Free download; Cadran Pro is a one-time purchase
- Source domain
- cadranapp.com
- Notable workflow
- Choose a face, set a background, and manage it from the menu bar
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