# Lines! vs XScreenSaver

The clearest difference is update cadence: XScreenSaver at every 6 months against Lines!'s every 36 months. XScreenSaver also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.6). Lines!'s advantage is device support (5 vs 2) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.6). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

XScreenSaver holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 58 and 108 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 94% of Lines!'s written reviews are positive against 93% of XScreenSaver's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Lines! ships an update every 36 months, XScreenSaver every 6 months. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Lines! | XScreenSaver |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (58 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lines/id390391751/reviews) | **[4.8 (108 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xscreensaver/id539014593/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 58 | **108** |
| Positive reviews | **94.1% of reviews** | 92.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 36 months | **Every 6 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 4 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Carl Gorringe](https://appshunter.io/developer/390391754) | [Jamie Zawinski](https://appshunter.io/developer/368900426) |

## What reviewers say

### Lines!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lines/id390391751)

This app creates a mesmerizing visual experience with moving, multi-colored lines that bounce off screen edges. It functions like a dynamic screensaver, perfect for placing your device upright or holding it. Enjoy a visually soothing and colorful display on your iOS device.

**Highlights:** Dynamic line animation, Multi-color transitions, Bounces off screen edges, Mesmerizing visual display, Works on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and TV

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### XScreenSaver

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xscreensaver/id539014593)

Explore a vast collection of historic and educational graphics demos originally designed for Linux and Unix systems. This application allows you to interact with hundreds of these visual demonstrations, ported from the classic screen saver collection.

**Highlights:** Historic graphics demos, Educational visual content, Interactive demo playback, Large collection of visuals, Cross-platform heritage

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ No ads or data collection
- 🎨 Extensive variety of screensavers
- 📱 Works seamlessly across multiple platforms (iOS, Mac, iPad)
- 🆓 Completely free application
- 🕰️ Nostalgic and retro aesthetic appeal

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes with certain screensavers
- 🎯 Difficult to tap small exit button on larger devices
- 🔋 High battery consumption on some devices
- ⚠️ Photo library screensaver crashes on iOS 13
- 🎪 Limited practical use on iOS devices

**Reported bugs**

- Photo library screensaver crashes on iOS 13
- GLText reveals password when system info is selected
- Framebuffer loading failures requiring app restart
- Crashes on certain devices or configurations
- Difficult UI for exiting screensavers on larger phones

**Requested features**

- Favorites or bookmarking system to save preferred screensavers
- Hide or exclude unwanted screensavers from rotation
- Ability to select specific channels in XAnalogTV screensaver
- Widget support for iOS standby mode
- Prevent auto-lock feature to keep screen on


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Lines! free?

Lines! is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is XScreenSaver free?

XScreenSaver is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Lines! or XScreenSaver?

XScreenSaver is rated higher. Lines! averages 4.6 out of 5 from 58 ratings, while XScreenSaver averages 4.8 from 108 ratings.

### Do Lines! or XScreenSaver have ads?

Neither Lines! nor XScreenSaver shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Lines! or XScreenSaver?

Lines! ships an update every 36 months, and XScreenSaver every 6 months. Most recently, Lines! was updated on October 21, 2026 and XScreenSaver on October 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*