Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Four Shadows

Time-aware algorithm driven shadows for icons

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Four Shadows launched in 2014; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Adaptive Backgrounds▲231

   Extract dominant colours from images

   2014 · briangonzalez.github.io · its alternatives →

2. 2S
   sidebranch▲102

   Easy git-based visual diffing

   Sep 2026 · sidebranch.dev · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Shade▲131

   Gradient explorer

   2015 · jxnblk.io · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Pixel Drifter▲69

   A powerful pixel-sorting tool written in Java

   2014 · pixeldrifter.tumblr.com · its alternatives →

5. 5
   Anicons▲112

   A customisable icon library for motion designers

   2014 · its alternatives →

6. 6
   Color Library▲116

   Automated color separation

   2016 · colorlibrary.ch · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Squints▲81

   Design tools for the live web

   Sep 2026 · squints.app · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Pixel Perfect Handbook▲176

   A comprehensive handbook on digital design

   2014 · ustwo.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Layout – Cropping is Hard▲68

   Figma, and the future of design tools

   2015 · layout.fm · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Pixel Winch▲92

    An osx screen measurement app

    2014 · ricciadams.com · its alternatives →

11. 11
    Dynamic Edge▲80

    The Dynamic Island for Windows

    Sep 2026 · apps.microsoft.com · its alternatives →

12. 12
    RGB – #15: Snap, Kernel and Port▲55

    Ports, unencrypted kernels and a chilly new mobile plan

    2016 · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Subtle Patterns▲53

    A plethora of background patterns for Photoshop

    2015 · its alternatives →

14. 14WD
    [WebGL Demo] Indirect Lighting Using Reflective Shadow Maps▲6

    2017 · erkaman.github.io · its alternatives →

15. 15
    AutoStitch▲72

    A new dimension in automatic image stitching

    2014 · cs.bath.ac.uk · its alternatives →

16. 16AA
    An Algorithm to Generate Beautiful Color Palettes▲8

    2018 · chris.de · its alternatives →

17. 17RT
    Real time color previsualisation▲8

    2012 · blog.framebench.com · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Flat Icon Patterns▲15

    Seamless background patterns made easy

    2017 · its alternatives →

19. 19PA
    Palx – Automatic UI Color Palette Generator▲6

    2018 · palx.jxnblk.com · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Introducing Framer Gradients▲15

    Where color meets motion

    2017 · medium.com · its alternatives →

21. 21IY
    IconFst – Yet Another AI Icon Generator▲5

    2025 · iconfst.com · its alternatives →

22. 22SU
    Smooth UI System, a new way to style components▲6

    2019 · smooth-ui.smooth-code.com · its alternatives →

23. 23PA
    PixelTool – a tool for overlaying designs for pixel perfect front-end▲8

    2014 · spencer-walden.com · its alternatives →

24. 24
    GradientsGuru▲8

    collection of beautiful gradients and blend image effects

    2018 · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →