Top Synergy Alternatives: Share Your Mouse & Keyboard Seamlessly
Synergy is a fantastic piece of software that brings your desktop devices together into one cohesive experience, allowing you to share a single mouse and keyboard across multiple computers running Windows, macOS, and Linux. However, it's not always the perfect fit for everyone. Whether you're looking for a free solution, a more robust feature set, or simply something different, there are several excellent Synergy alternative options available to help you achieve seamless control over your multi-device setup.
Best Synergy Alternatives
If you're seeking to streamline your workflow and control multiple computers with a single mouse and keyboard, these alternatives to Synergy offer a range of features and platform compatibilities to suit various needs.
Barrier
Barrier is a cross-platform, free, and open-source solution for sharing a single mouse and keyboard between multiple computers. It's an excellent Synergy alternative, supporting Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, and OpenBSD. Key features include clipboard sharing, SSL encryption for secure connections, drag-and-drop functionality, and Wayland support, making it a robust and flexible choice for a virtual KVM switch.
Mouse without Borders
Mouse without Borders is a free Windows-only application developed by Microsoft Garage. It allows you to control up to four computers from a single mouse and keyboard, making it a powerful Synergy alternative for Windows users. It offers features like automatic connection, universal clipboard sharing, drag-and-drop, and support for multiple monitors and media buttons.
ShareMouse
ShareMouse is a commercial mouse and keyboard sharing software for Windows and Mac, offering a polished Synergy alternative. It boasts features like automatic display layout switching, portable edition availability, screensaver synchronization, and comprehensive drag-and-drop functionality for files, text, and bitmaps. Its plug-and-play setup and dual-monitor support make it highly convenient.
Input Director
Input Director is a free (for personal use) Windows application that provides a robust Synergy alternative specifically for controlling multiple Windows systems. It focuses on features like keyboard and mouse sharing, screen sharing, and the ability to create macros, which can be particularly useful for gaming or specialized workflows.
Multiplicity
Multiplicity is a commercial Windows-only software that functions as a virtual KVM switch, allowing control of multiple computers with one keyboard and mouse. As a strong Synergy alternative, it includes features like clipboard sharing, support for multiple monitors, remote desktop, and remote support capabilities, catering to both individual and professional needs.
x2vnc (win2vnc)
x2vnc, also known as win2vnc, is a free and open-source program for Windows and Linux that extends your desktop across two different computers as if they were connected to the same machine. While not a direct mouse/keyboard sharing utility like Synergy, its VNC Viewer capabilities allow for a similar extended desktop experience, including support for multiple monitors.
Win2VNC
Win2VNC is a free, open-source Windows program that allows you to use two screens on two different computers as one extended desktop, even across different operating systems. It offers screen extension and mouse sharing, making it a viable (though simpler) Synergy alternative for those focusing on screen real estate and basic control.
ShareKM
ShareKM is a free tool for Android and Windows that allows you to control your Android device from your desktop using your computer's mouse and keyboard. While not a direct PC-to-PC Synergy alternative, it's excellent for integrating your Android device into your multi-computer setup, offering keyboard sharing, multi-touch, and screen sharing for Android Things.
across
Across is a commercial solution for Mac, Windows, and Android that uniquely allows a Bluetooth-equipped PC or Mac to function as a standard Bluetooth keyboard/mouse combo for other devices. This makes it a distinct Synergy alternative for users who prefer Bluetooth connectivity for their mouse and keyboard sharing needs.
Mouse Broadcaster
Mouse Broadcaster is a free Windows application designed to duplicate mouse and keyboard actions across multiple networked PCs. It operates with a 'Master' and 'Minion' setup, allowing a single set of inputs to control several machines simultaneously, making it a simple yet effective Synergy alternative for specific scenarios.
Exploring these Synergy alternatives provides a wide range of options, from free and open-source solutions like Barrier to commercial offerings with advanced features like ShareMouse or Multiplicity. Consider your operating systems, specific feature requirements (like drag-and-drop, clipboard sharing, or security), and budget to choose the best fit for your multi-computer setup.