What is Umbra?
Umbra by Replay Software is a macOS utility that sets separate wallpapers for light and dark mode. When your Mac switches appearance, Umbra swaps your desktop wallpaper automatically. It is simple, focused, and free.
Key features:
- Separate wallpapers for light and dark mode
- Automatic switching when macOS appearance changes
- Unsplash integration for discovering wallpapers
- Multi-display support with per-screen wallpapers
- Keyboard shortcut for toggling appearance
- HEIC wallpaper support
- Pay-what-you-want pricing (free download, optional donation)
Umbra does one thing well. If wallpaper switching is the only problem you need to solve, it handles it cleanly.
What is Solace?
Solace is a macOS menu bar app that combines dark mode scheduling, colour temperature control, wallpaper management, and weather-aware switching in a single tool.
Key features:
- Dark mode scheduling (solar, custom times, or weather-aware)
- Evening warmth (built-in colour temperature reduction)
- Wallpaper sync (separate wallpapers for light and dark mode)
- Global keyboard shortcut
- Multi-display support
- Zero data collection
- One-time purchase ($4.99, no subscription)
Solace takes a broader approach. Rather than handling just wallpapers, it manages your Mac's entire visual environment from a single menu bar app.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Umbra | Solace |
|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper switching | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dark mode control | ✕ | ✓ |
| Custom scheduling | ✕ | ✓ |
| Solar times | ✕ | ✓ |
| Weather-aware switching | ✕ | ✓ |
| Colour temperature | ✕ | ✓ |
| Multi-display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyboard shortcut | ✓ | ✓ |
| Unsplash integration | ✓ | ✕ |
| No data collection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Price | Free (pay-what-you-want) | $4.99 one-time |
| Last updated | 2026 | 2026 |
When to choose Umbra
Umbra is the better choice if:
- Wallpaper switching is the only feature you need — no dark mode scheduling, colour temperature, or weather awareness
- You prefer a free tool with no mandatory payment
- You want Unsplash integration for discovering new wallpapers directly from the app
- You already manage dark mode and colour temperature separately and just need a wallpaper companion
Umbra is excellent at what it does. It keeps your desktop wallpaper in sync with your Mac's appearance mode, and the Unsplash integration is a nice touch for finding new wallpapers. If that is all you need, there is no reason to pay for more.
When to choose Solace
Solace is the better choice if:
- You want wallpaper switching plus dark mode scheduling, colour temperature, and weather awareness in one app
- You are currently using Umbra alongside other tools like Night Shift or macOS Auto and want to consolidate
- Weather-aware switching appeals to you (dark mode when overcast, light mode when sunny)
- You want a single app that handles your Mac's entire visual environment
The practical difference: Umbra handles wallpapers. Solace handles wallpapers, dark mode, colour temperature, and weather in a single app. If you would otherwise need to run Umbra plus Night Shift plus macOS Auto, Solace replaces all three.
The verdict
Umbra is a clean, free tool that does wallpaper switching well. If matching your desktop to your appearance mode is all you need, it is a solid choice. If you also want dark mode scheduling, colour temperature control, and weather-aware switching without running multiple apps, Solace brings everything together for $4.99.
The decision comes down to scope. Umbra solves one problem. Solace solves several.
For a full comparison of all dark mode apps for Mac including Umbra, Nightfall, Shifty, and more, see The 7 Best Dark Mode Apps for Mac in 2026.
Want to set up automatic wallpaper switching on your Mac? See How to Change Your Mac Wallpaper Automatically Based on Time of Day.
Frequently asked questions
Can Umbra schedule dark mode automatically?
No. Umbra only switches wallpapers when macOS changes between light and dark mode. It does not control or schedule dark mode itself. You would need a separate tool like Solace or macOS Auto for appearance scheduling.
Does Solace include wallpaper switching like Umbra?
Yes. Solace includes built-in wallpaper syncing that lets you set separate wallpapers for light and dark mode. When Solace switches your appearance, your wallpaper changes automatically. This means you do not need Umbra alongside Solace.
Is Umbra free?
Umbra uses a pay-what-you-want model. You can download it for free from the developer's website, with an optional donation via Gumroad. There are no mandatory costs, subscriptions, or in-app purchases.
Do I need both Umbra and Solace?
No. Solace includes wallpaper switching alongside dark mode scheduling, colour temperature, and weather-aware switching. If you use Solace, Umbra's wallpaper feature is already covered. The only reason to keep Umbra would be its Unsplash integration for discovering new wallpapers.
Which app is better for multiple monitors?
Both support multiple displays. Umbra can set different wallpapers per screen for light and dark mode. Solace also supports multi-display wallpaper syncing alongside its other features like dark mode scheduling and colour temperature control.
Solace — $4.99, yours forever
Dark mode scheduling, colour temperature, wallpaper sync, and weather-aware switching. One app, zero data collection.
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