This is where synergy a software option can really shine. Software based kvm switch alternative synergy symless. You can then share a keyboard and mouse with multiple computers via synergy, your software kvm switch. If you use multiple windows machines on your desk, youre probably tired of swapping between keyboards and mice. Synergy is an open source software alternative for a physical kvm switch. Stay up to date with firmware improvements and ensure your devices optimal performance.
An open source software replacement for a physical kvm. Not to be confuse with the latest boardroom buzz word, synergy is a nice little application that allows the sharing of keyboard and mouse services between up to 4 physical boxes. The software sharemouse lets you control multiple computers from a single mouse and keyboard. We develop a product called synergy, software for people that have multiple computers. Review synergy by symless multi machine network control.
Synergy was a commercialized reimplementation of the original cosmosynergy written by chris schoeneman. A kvm switch could be used, but in this case synergy is a better fit. You will be surprised how fast you can learn 2 days is enough to get you started creating professional reports call synergy software systems 0097143365589. Input director supports a shared clipboard copy on one computer, switch control, and paste input director is compatible with windows 10, windows 88. Instead of looping multiple computers through a piece of hardware, it lets you control them from a single keyboard and mouse.
Oct 31, 2015 this video contains the instructions for setting up the synergy, keyboard and mouse sharing virtual kvm switch through your network i have been a user of this software for many years. Synergy, a program that does the same thing over a network, is a more elegant solution, and it works with windows, macos, and linux. The difference with synergy is that there are no keyboard shortcuts required and no physical switch. Synergy allows control of multiple computers, each with their own monitor, from one keyboard and mouse. Synergy is a crossplatform, opensource replacement for a kvm switch. We have shown you how you can use a multiinput monitor or kvm software as alternatives to an actual kvm switch. Every platform currently supported by synergy provides methods of turning video outputs on and off at will from the command line. There are hardware solutionskvm switches, which use multiple inputs and outputs to share physical mice and keyboards. For people whore not willing to spend money in buying a software or hardware kvm switch to control multiple pcs over one mouse and keyboard, they can use input director, which is a absolutely free alternative to.
As with all gpl licensed software, you are free to run the program, change the program, and redistribute the program with or without changes. This is one of the most popular and powerful software for controlling multiple computers at the same time. Thats right, all the lists of alternatives are crowdsourced, and thats what makes the data. Sharemouse is yet another application that lets you share your mouse and keyboard with multiple windows or mac computers. Im considering getting an hdmi kvm so that i can switch between my laptop and desktop at my desk, which would be huge for me i use my laptop a lot more for productivity and software. Whether you are a designer, editor, call center agent or road warrior using both a pc and laptop, multiplicity makes working across multiple. A software kvm switch works through the local network so all the computers you want to control need to be connected to your lan. Synergy is a well established, solution provider across the middle east region. Looking for help with synergy or another kvm software.
Synergy can be extremely difficult to configure, especially determining precise computer names and server locations. The user needs only one keyboard and mouse on the desk similar to a kvm switch without the video. A software kvm solution has many benefits compared to a hardware pc switch. Iogear 4port vga and displayport kvmp kit with audio and osd, gcs1804dpkit. Be sure you select the right hardware version for your router before downloading. While synergy is not a true kvm, it is quite helpful in a multiple computer situation. A kvm switch could be used, but in this case synergy is a better fit because it doesnt break the flow of development. Kvm switch hdmi 2 port box, share 2 computers with one keyboard mouse and one hd monitor, support wireless keyboard and mouse connections, hud 4k 3840x2160 supported. Jan 09, 2016 synergy is one of the best software alternatives to kvm switches to sync single mouse and keyboard with multiple computers. Instead, a softwarebased method of switching video among local boxes, coupled with synergys very speedy input sharing, can be used to. Kvm switch, which provides crossplatform seamless switching. Input director free software kvm synergy alternative. Installing the wrong software could create configuration.
Its kvm switch virtualization frees up your workspace, removing the cables and extra hardware of a traditional kvm switch. Oct 02, 2017 instead, a software based method of switching video among local boxes, coupled with synergy s very speedy input sharing, can be used to create what is effectively a software based kvm switch. An open source software replacement for a physical. Iogear 2port hdmi cable kvm switch with cables and audio, gcs62hu. The switch will have an affect on microsofts browsers and office 365 products. Synergy is a software download that shares one keyboard, one mouse and one clipboard between multiple. Theres a button in the control window to switch to broadcasting keystrokesmouse clicks to all windows although youll have to bind a key to turn this off again. Setting up virtual kvm with synergy sharing a single keyboard and. Works with mixed vistax64xp set ups multimonitor per computer setups vertical rows columns monitor arrangements. The user needs only one keyboard and mouse on the desk similar to a kvm switch without the video partly open source and partly closed source, the open source. A kvm keyboardvideomouse switchalso known as a switcher is a physical hardware product that lets you redirect keyboard and mouse input between computers, as well as being able to switch video. Alternativeto is a free service that helps you find better alternatives to the products you love and hate. Installing the wrong software could create configuration issues for your network. This software developer setup at facebook is running synergy with macos on the left, and windows on the right.
It was at this point, well over ten years ago now, that i discovered synergy, an open source software replacement for a physical kvm switch. The notion of virtual kvm involves using software to route the operators keyboard output, video input, and mouse output tofrom the target computer over the ip network. Mar 14, 2008 this makes it impractical for laptops, or when substituting the kvm for the real keyboardmousescreen set up is not desired. Its a great alternative to a kvm switch for your desk at home or work as it brings a more seamless experience with no buttons to press. Operate your sidebyside computers from a single keyboard and mouse. The only possible latency can come from the specialized keyboard port on the kvm because that scans keystrokes for certain magic key combinations that prompt the switch to switch over to the other pc generally default keys for that are pressing scroll lock twice followed by a command for the kvm. How to share a mouse and keyboard across multiple computers. Mar 26, 2020 barrier does this in software, allowing you to tell it which machine to control by moving your mouse to the edge of the screen, or by using a keypress to switch focus to a different system. So, will you take advantage of your multiinput port monitor after reading this. Microsoft is changing its nomenclature with this coming release, forgoing the usual core and framework thats typically appended to the version number. An open source software replacement for a physical kvm switch how to share a mouse and keyboard across multiple computers synergy is an open source software alternative for a physical kvm switch. Ugreen usb kvm switch box 2 port vga video sharing adapter 2 in 1 out manual switcher with usb cables for computer, pc, laptop, desktop, monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse control.
Use one keyboard and mouse across different computers and. Customers include apple, salesforce, disney, and pixar. Synergy lets you share a single keyboard and mouse between multiple networked machines. Overall, this is a great software to use instead of a kvm switch.
Synergy is a software download that shares one mouse and one keyboard between multiple computers. Synergy 2 has so many issues that force me to restart it several times a day. I have been a user of this software for many years. Synergy alternatives and similar software alternativeto. I also need to keep the window open because my ubuntu machine keeps stealing input priority.
The synergy program is by far the gold standard of kvm software. How to control multiple pcs with one keyboard using synergy. When the support team at sharemouse first emailed me asking me to check out their keyboardmouse sharing application, i was skeptical. If you have multiple machines in the same workspace, you probably use a kvm to manage them or maybe you even have multiple keyboards and mice. Popular alternatives to synergy for windows, mac, linux, android, freebsd and more. Barrier is a fork of the open source component of synergy 1. This has the advantage of reducing the number of wires needed. Synergy is a software solution for people who want to use the same keyboard and mouse with 2 or more computers. Jan 14, 2020 but, for personal use, you dont need a kvm switch for connecting 2 computers to 1 monitor now. Iogear 4port vga and displayport kvmp kit with audio and osd. Iogears 4port usb vga and displayport kvm bundle is a true plugnplay solution to your connectivity needs.
There are other available software kvm options available. A software kvm switch works through the local network so all the computers you want to. Secure desktop tunneling is a free open source software tool from opengear that provides remote and out of band virtual kvm access kmremotecontrol and maxavista provide virtual keyboard and mouse solutions. A physical kvm switch has inputs for a keyboard, mouse, and display and sets of. They are called kvms, which is short for keyboard, video, and mouse switches. While this is windows only it has the benefit over using kavoom multiplicity instead of synergy of being free. As a result there are growing numbers of commercial virtual kvm alternatives to kvm and kvm over ip now available e. Its possible to update the information on synergythroughusb or report it as discontinued, duplicated or spam. Explore 11 apps like synergy, all suggested and ranked by the alternativeto user community.
But i absolutely need it for quick cross platform testing and there seems to be no other solution besides a kvm switch. Eventually, i stopped using the kvm switch, and ended up with a mess of keyboards and mice strewn all over my desk. I am a longtime user of synergy and to date have found no. Simply move your mouse between your computers effortlessly. Belkin official support flip usb with audio kvm switch. Synergy is still open source and free as in free speech to quote richard stallman, except that now theres a small fee to download the software. Kvm hardware was developed as a console switching technology way before smart thin client tools such as. Theres a button in the control window to switch to broadcasting keystrokesmouse clicks to all windows although youll have to bind a key to turn this off. This makes it impractical for laptops, or when substituting the kvm for the real keyboardmousescreen set up is not desired. Input director software kvm to control multiple computers.
Share mouse and keyboard with multiple mac and windows. Synergythroughusb alternatives and similar software. Using barrier to control multiple pcs with one keyboard. Synergythroughusb sometimes referred to as synergy through usb was added by ihateinventnames in feb 2014 and the latest update was made in aug 2017.
It is used in situations where several pcs are used together, with a monitor connected to each, but are to be controlled by one user. Synergy allows this developer to develop and test software for two platforms simultaneously. Barrier does this in software, allowing you to tell it which machine to control by moving your mouse to the edge of the screen, or by using a keypress to switch focus to a different system. But i absolutely need it for quick cross platform testing and there seems to be no other solution besides a. Jul, 2017 if you use multiple windows machines on your desk, youre probably tired of swapping between keyboards and mice. Synergy systems are scalable to fit the needs of the space and are easily customized. Connect the link ports on all frame link modules together in a ring. Input director enables the control of multiple windows systems using the keyboardmouse attached to one computer switch control between systems either by hotkey or by moving the cursor to the screen edge on one computer for it to appear on the next one input director supports a shared clipboard copy on one computer, switch control, and paste. Multiplicity is a versatile, secure and affordable wireless kvm software solution. Iogear 4port vga and displayport kvmp kit with audio and. There are software alternatives to some of the functionality of a hardware kvm switch, such as multiplicity, input director and synergy, which does the switching in software and forwards input over standard network connections. The drawback is software kvm switches dont have a display switching option and only work for the keyboard and mouse. Synergy sharing keyboard and mouse 11 years 23 weeks ago.
Synergy lets you use one keyboard and mouse across multiple computers. The answer came back that he uses a piece of software called synergy, by symless, as a kind of network keyboard and mouse switch. Synergy gpld software kvm switches to paid downloads. Video, and mouse switch, or if youre cable and costaverse, kvm software such as multiplicity 3.
A software kvm switch without the v a good friend of mine and fellow technology wizard has on several occasions brought up synergy as a great solution for doing work spanning a couple of local workstations. Share a keyboard and mouse between systems with synergy 9 years 22 weeks ago. Do you use a kvm keyboardvideomouse switch anymore. Software based virtual kvm helps you to save money and space because you are able to. Instead, a softwarebased method of switching video among local boxes, coupled with synergys very speedy input sharing, can be used to create what is effectively a softwarebased kvm switch. And, this is also cheaper than buying a kvm switch. A software based keyboardmouse switching app, when considered, will save desk space from unnecessary cable clutter. You only need a regular ethernet or wifi network connection, and no special hardware. However these hardware options require a constant hardware. I dont even use synergy i just like keeping a separate keyboard and mouse for work and another for play, and switch between them when i choose to, but i admit its a complicated solution. Kvm software free download kvm top 4 download offers free software downloads for windows, mac, ios and android computers and mobile devices. Our two million customers need to use one mouse and one keyboard across all of their computers. All you need to do to control a different computer is move your mouse to its screen. Easeofuse with all cables included, no software installation required, this kvm switch bundle is a straight outofthebox solution.
Synergy works on windows, macos, linux, and raspberry pi. The site is made by ola and markus in sweden, with a lot of help from our friends and colleagues in italy, finland, usa, colombia, philippines, france and contributors from all over the world. Oct 02, 2009 my setup is 3 desktop computers all the same hadeware using synergy, one is win7, 2 are linux based. Hpe synergy composer in appliance bay 1 of frame 1, and appliance bay 1 of frame 2 hpe synergy image streamer in appliance bay 2 of frame 2, and appliance bay 2 of frame 3 use a minimum of cat6a patch cables for hpe synergy management ring connections. However, kvm switch is itself a great hardware option to connect one mouse and keyboard with multiple pcs. Net 5 is expected to become generally available this november. With synergy you can also copy and paste between computers, something not possible with a kvm. Get support for belkinflip usb with audio kvm switch. Synergy is a software application for sharing a keyboard and mouse between multiple computers. For when you have multiple computers on your desk, each with their own monitors, but you want just a single keyboard and mouse. This video contains the instructions for setting up the synergy, keyboard and mouse sharing virtual kvm switch through your network i have been a user of this software for many years. Setting aside my issues with the license they must use, it does exactly what i expect of synergy.