RedPill for Mac

Name: RedPill
Rating: 4.7 (68 reviews)
Author: ATH0.com

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RedPill Analysis

AI Assisted Content · June 11, 2026

Not written by CNET Staff.

RedPill is a free screensaver application designed for Mac users, offering a unique way to personalize their desktop experience. This software stands out for its engaging visuals and customizable options, allowing users to create a dynamic display while their computer is idle. With various themes and animations, RedPill transforms the conventional screensaver into an interactive showcase of creativity.

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Trial version

In addition to aesthetic appeal, RedPill includes features that support user preferences, such as adjustable settings for speed and display duration. This versatility makes it suitable for both personal and professional environments. The program is easy to install and integrates seamlessly with macOS, ensuring that users can quickly set it up without complications. Overall, RedPill serves as a functional and visually stimulating addition to any Mac setup.

RedPill for Mac

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: November 22, 2009

Latest update: June 11, 2026

Version: 1.5.0

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Mac

Operating System

Mac OS X
Mac OS X 10.5
Mac OS X 10.6

Additional Requirements: This screensaver requires Mac OS X 10.6 to run, and does not run under Mac OS X 10.5. Please ignore the "Operating System Requirements" field for this app.

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 2,318

Downloads Last Week: 0

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User Reviews

4.7/5

68 User Votes

Thank you. You rock!
chaseholdenNovember 22, 2009
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. I appreciate the hard work and generosity!
big warm wet hugs and appreciation for tiger...
eatpeopleJuly 14, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
...update... This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. gracias for you (and your friend Dylan's help) on the Tiger update... as someone else has written, i was so sad earlier today after installing tiger to notice Red Pill dropping blocks instead of glyphs. Cool to see you've modded code appropriately. Couldn't find your website on the link from the Red Pill prefs menu...site gone/down? ... keep up the awesome work amigo. it's something both stellar and creepy to walk in late at night and have the only illumination be the glowing green of your saver. :-) peace.
Thanks
jedikMay 10, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. Thanks for the update. Please keep a site up, at least to everyone knows that the developer is maintaining the code. Nice job, keep it up! :)
Awesome!
BalatroMay 10, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. Thank you for updating this. Red Pill was the only custom screensaver I had on my PowerBook and the first thing I noticed busted after I installed Tiger. It'll be great to have it back again!
Best Mac Matrix Saver (But Not Perfect)
namtast1cJanuary 19, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. This one is definitely the best out there, but it still bugs me none of these replicate the Matrix code effect as it is in the movie: the actual glyph set, 2d, proper trailing and fading, no overlapping columns, no zoom (not even a super slow one), etc. etc. It really doesn't seem hard to make once you've gotten as far as the Matrix savers that are out there (like MatrixGL) but they still don't do it for me.
The one's that mother gives you don't do anything...
Hockpooh777December 8, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
...at all. This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. This screen saver is very well done. Now I can have my Marine aquarium days and my Matrix days. They both take me to my happy place. This one is just plain cool, and free. That's five stars no matter how you slice it. Does it come in blue or purple.
The best \"Matrix\" screensaver!
N Parker (San Diego)April 12, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. I've tried three other Matrix screensavers, and Red Pill is clearly the best looking. I love the attention to detail: The raster lines, the rotating streamers, the 3D depth cueing. The use of OpenGL actually makes Red Pill more advanced than the stricly 2D effect used in the movie. Download and give it a try.
The best \"Matrix\" screensaver!
N Parker (San Diego)April 12, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. I've tried three other Matrix screensavers, and Red Pill is clearly the best looking. I love the attention to detail: The raster lines, the rotating streamers, the 3D depth cueing. The use of OpenGL actually makes Red Pill more advanced than the stricly 2D effect used in the movie. Download and give it a try.
Excellent
riedJanuary 4, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. Just really great software. Thanks.
1.4.1 kills the jerkiness
grikdogJanuary 4, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com. Beautiful screen saver, impeccably implemented both in the sense that the mirrored kana are beautifully done, and in the sense that the jerkiness artifact seems to be gone. Deserves 5 stars, gets 'em from me. The hot corner on my iBook's kb surface is Apple's "Problem? What problem?" problem.

Developer’s Description

By ATH0.com

Matrix-inspired screen saver.

Way back in the mists of time, I wrote a screen saver for OS X which produced animated green glyphs moving on the screen, in the manner of the movie "The Matrix".

This screen saver was astonishingly popular. It got 30,000+ downloads in the first weekend, taking out my web hosting. It got put on magazine cover disks, and translated into Japanese.

When Apple made the transition to Intel, it took me a while to follow suit. Because I'd released the source code, other people were able to produce Intel builds fairly easily.

With Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6) however, Apple broke every single third party screen saver. This time, though, I happen to have a new(ish) Mac, and have upgraded my OS, so thanks to the info from jwz's justified ranting, I've managed to put together a 64 bit build of RedPill for OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard only. If you're running an older version of OS X, keep using the old version.

RedPill for Mac

RedPill Analysis

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User Reviews

Thank you. You rock!

big warm wet hugs and appreciation for tiger...

Thanks

Awesome!

Best Mac Matrix Saver (But Not Perfect)

The one's that mother gives you don't do anything...

The best \"Matrix\" screensaver!

The best \"Matrix\" screensaver!

Excellent

1.4.1 kills the jerkiness

Developer’s Description