Top Barrier Alternatives: Seamless Control Across Your Desktops
Are you looking for a more efficient way to manage multiple computers with a single keyboard and mouse? While Barrier offers a solution for sharing a single mouse and keyboard between multiple computers at a workstation, many users seek alternatives that better fit their specific needs, whether for Windows, Mac, Linux, or even Android. This guide explores the best Barrier alternative options, including free, open-source, and commercial solutions, helping you find the perfect cross-platform software for your setup.
Top Barrier Alternatives
Whether you're a power user with multiple machines or just looking to declutter your desk, these Barrier alternatives offer robust features for seamless keyboard and mouse sharing, along with additional functionalities that enhance your workflow.
Synergy
Synergy is a powerful commercial and open-source Barrier alternative that combines your desktop devices into one cohesive experience, allowing you to share your mouse and keyboard between multiple computers. It works seamlessly across Windows, macOS, and Linux, offering features like mouse sharing, keyboard sharing, and clipboard sharing for a truly integrated workstation.
Mouse without Borders
Mouse without Borders is a free Windows-only Barrier alternative that extends your desktop across multiple PCs as if they were one. You can move your mouse effortlessly between up to four screens, even when attached to different computers. Key features include mouse and keyboard sharing, support for multiple monitors, automatic connection, universal clipboard, and drag-and-drop file transfer.
ShareMouse
ShareMouse is a commercial Barrier alternative that offers seamless mouse and keyboard sharing to control Windows or Mac PCs from any other PC. It boasts features like automatic display layout switching, portable edition, screensaver synchronization, and robust drag-and-drop capabilities for files and text, making it a highly convenient solution for cross-platform setups.
Input Director
Input Director is a free personal Windows application and a strong Barrier alternative, allowing you to control multiple Windows systems with a single keyboard and mouse. It fully supports computers with multiple monitors and is ideal for home users with two or more PCs, offering keyboard sharing, mouse sharing, and even screen sharing capabilities.
Multiplicity
Multiplicity is a commercial Windows-based Barrier alternative that transforms your networked PCs into a virtual KVM switch. It enables seamless mouse and keyboard control across multiple computers, each with their own monitors. Beyond sharing, it offers features like clipboard sharing, remote desktop, remote support, and robust virtualization.
x2vnc (win2vnc)
x2vnc (also known as win2vnc) is a free and open-source Barrier alternative for Windows and Linux. It allows you to use two screens on different computers as if they were connected to the same machine. By moving your pointer to the edge of the screen, it takes over your mouse and sends movements and keystrokes to a VNC server on another machine, effectively extending your display.
Win2VNC
Win2VNC is a free and open-source Barrier alternative specifically for Windows. If you're tired of multiple keyboards and mice on your desk, this program lets you seamlessly move your mouse pointer between two computer screens. Similar to x2x, it provides screen extension functionality for a streamlined multi-PC setup.
across
Across is a commercial Barrier alternative that turns your Bluetooth-equipped PC or Mac into a standard Bluetooth keyboard/mouse combo. This allows you to seamlessly and wirelessly control smart devices like smartphones and tablet PCs with your computer's keyboard and mouse (touchpad). It supports keyboard and mouse sharing for Windows and Mac, and keyboard sharing for Android.
ShareKM
ShareKM (Share Keyboard and Mouse Beta) is a free Barrier alternative for Windows and Android that lets you control your Android device from your desktop using your computer's mouse, keyboard, and clipboard. Key features include multi-touch support (dragging mouse while pressing ctrl), seamless text copying between devices, and overall efficient control of your Droid.
Mouse Broadcaster
Mouse Broadcaster is a free Windows-based Barrier alternative designed to duplicate mouse and keyboard actions to multiple PCs on a network. It consists of a Master and Minion component, where the Master controls the Minions, replicating mouse clicks, movements, and key strokes. This is particularly useful for updating an entire lab of computers simultaneously requiring user input.
With a variety of options available, from open-source to commercial solutions and cross-platform compatibility, finding the ideal Barrier alternative for your specific setup is now easier than ever. Explore these options to discover the best fit for your multi-computer workflow and enhance your productivity.