Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Actual Window Manager VS Input Director

Compare Actual Window Manager VS Input Director and see what are their differences

Actual Window Manager logo Actual Window Manager

Actual Window Manager 8. 11. 3..

Input Director logo Input Director

Control multiple windows systems with one keyboard/mouse. Share a keyboard and mouse across multiple windows system.
  • Actual Window Manager Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-21
  • Input Director Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-22

Actual Window Manager features and specs

  • Comprehensive Feature Set
    Actual Window Manager offers a plethora of features for managing windows, including virtual desktops, window snapping, and multi-monitor support. This makes it a versatile tool for enhancing productivity.
  • Customizable Window Positioning
    Users can automate the position and size of windows, ensuring that applications open exactly where and how they prefer, thus streamlining their workflow.
  • Multi-Monitor Support
    The software provides extensive features for multi-monitor setups, such as independent taskbars and unified window placement, which is ideal for users working with multiple displays.
  • Window Snapping and Desktop Dividers
    The program includes advanced window snapping and desktop dividers, allowing users to easily organize their workspace by snapping windows to predefined areas.
  • Virtual Desktops
    Actual Window Manager supports creating multiple virtual desktops, enabling users to organize their tasks more efficiently and reduce clutter on their primary desktop.

Possible disadvantages of Actual Window Manager

  • Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive feature set, new users may find it challenging to learn and customize the program to their needs initially.
  • Performance Overhead
    Running Actual Window Manager can consume significant system resources, which might be a concern for users on less powerful machines.
  • Price
    The software is not free and might be considered expensive compared to other window management tools, making it less accessible for budget-conscious users.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Some users have reported occasional bugs and stability issues, which can disrupt the user experience.
  • Complexity for Casual Users
    For casual users who only need basic window management features, the extensive options and configurations offered by Actual Window Manager may be overwhelming and unnecessary.

Input Director features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Input Director offers a user-friendly interface and is relatively easy to set up and configure, making it accessible even for users who are not very tech-savvy.
  • Multiple Operating Systems
    The system allows seamless control of multiple computers running on different versions of the Windows operating system, supporting versatile use cases.
  • Clipboard Sharing
    It allows users to share the clipboard between the connected computers, making it easy to copy and paste text, files, and other data across different systems.
  • Customizable Hotkeys
    Users can set up custom hotkeys to switch control between different computers, enhancing workflow efficiency and convenience.
  • Secure Connections
    Input Director uses encrypted network traffic, ensuring secure communication between connected computers and protecting sensitive data.

Possible disadvantages of Input Director

  • Windows Only
    Input Director is only available for Windows operating systems, limiting its usability for those who need cross-platform support, like integration with macOS or Linux.
  • Network Dependency
    The software requires a stable network connection between the computers. Without a reliable network, the performance can be compromised.
  • Limited Features
    Compared to some other commercial solutions, Input Director may lack advanced features like support for touchscreen gestures or more intricate keyboard mappings.
  • No Mobile Support
    Input Director does not offer support for controlling mobile devices, which can be a limitation for users who require integrated control over their smartphones or tablets.
  • Performance Issues
    Under certain circumstances, some users may experience latency or lag, particularly when dealing with graphics-intensive applications or large file transfers.

Analysis of Actual Window Manager

Overall verdict

  • Actual Window Manager is highly regarded for its robust feature set and ability to improve window management on Windows systems. It is especially useful for users seeking a more customizable and efficient desktop environment. However, its extensive features can have a learning curve, and it might be overkill for those with basic window management needs.

Why this product is good

  • Actual Window Manager is considered good by many users because it offers a comprehensive suite of window management tools that enhance productivity. It allows for extensive customization of window behavior, includes features like virtual desktops, window snapping, automatic window alignment, and multi-monitor support. The software can greatly enhance workflow efficiency, especially for power users who require advanced window manipulation capabilities.

Recommended for

    Power users, IT professionals, software developers, graphic designers, and anyone who frequently works with multiple windows and monitors.

Analysis of Input Director

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Input Director is highly regarded for its functionality and efficiency in managing multiple systems. It offers a cost-effective and powerful solution for users looking to optimize their workflow without the complexity of additional hardware solutions.

Why this product is good

  • Input Director is considered a good software because it allows users to control multiple Windows computers with a single keyboard and mouse. It is particularly favored for its ease of use, reliability, and the ability to seamlessly switch controls across screens. The software supports features such as shared clipboard, drag-and-drop files, and customizable key bindings, which enhances user productivity, especially in multi-computer environments.

Recommended for

    Input Director is recommended for users who work with several Windows computers simultaneously, such as software developers, graphic designers, and IT professionals. It's ideal for anyone who needs to enhance their productivity in an environment with multiple screens or computers.

Actual Window Manager videos

A quick look at Actual Window Manager

Input Director videos

How to use one Mouse & Keyboard with two Computers - Input Director Tutorial

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Control Multiple Computers at Once! | Input Director Showcase and Tutorial
  • Review - Control Multiple Machines with Input Director

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Actual Window Manager and Input Director)
Multi Monitor
50 50%
50% 50
Remote Desktop
27 27%
73% 73
Window Manager
100 100%
0% 0
Remote PC Access
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Actual Window Manager and Input Director

Actual Window Manager Reviews

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Input Director Reviews

Top spacedesk Alternatives & Similar Software (2020)
Input Director, like Spacedesk helps you gain control over multiple computers while having to use just a single mouse or keyboard. You’ll just have to install the software on all the computers you wish to work on simultaneously. The computer that has the keyboard and the mouse attached to it is the master computer that controls the others. Once you’ve made the necessary...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Input Director seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 6 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Actual Window Manager mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Actual Window Manager yet. Tracking of Actual Window Manager recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Input Director mentions (6)

  • Dual Computer Battlestations? Good idea? Bad idea?
    For the win8 tablet, I wanted to use it as an extra monitor but none of the normal options for doing it was working, so what I use now is Input Director. If you want to use multiple computers with dedicated screens per computer, this is the way! It allows you to control any of the running machines with the same mouse and keyboard by simply moving your mouse over to the corresponding screen. There are quite a few... Source: about 2 years ago
  • Any ideas on good ways to be able to switching between my pc and laptop on these 2 monitors + M&K USBs?
    If you are looking for a software solution, https://inputdirector.com/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Easily switch between work and personal PC?
    There are various software solutions (eg.: Input Directorbut using a proper hardware switch is most likely the better option. And there are always the remote desktop options…. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • WFH Gamers that use KVM/USB Switch, what do you use?
    I have a 3 PC home setup, so, like you, I didn't need to worry about monitors for my switching solution. First off, I HIGHLY recommend Input Director (Windows only) or other software KVM for the keyboard and mouse. No hitting a button and waiting a couple of seconds, and you can even copy/paste text between the machines. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Not exactly a cyberDeck, but this is what I have. VAIO VGN-P21ZR.
    A friend recently gave me a box of their old hardware. It included an old Toshiba Encore 2 tablet running Windows 8.1. It's the first time I've used Windows on a ARM device, and it's been pretty amazingly usable. Not enough RAM or storage, but it has a single microSD card slot, at least. It works well for low-demand things. It's now mounted on a wall, running Media Monkey, Spotify, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Pocket... Source: over 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Actual Window Manager and Input Director, you can also consider the following products

DisplayFusion - DisplayFusion will make your multi-monitor life much easier.

Synergy - Cross-platform software for sharing your mouse and keyboard between multiple computers

Preme for Windows - Speeds up your window switching.

GridMove - GridMove - A window management tool that can quickly arrange your windows into desktop grids.

Barrier - Barrier is a cross-platform software for sharing your mouse and keyboard between multiple computers...

Ultramon - UltraMon is a piece of software built to help with the management of multiple screens on the same computer system. Without software like this, taking full advantage of an expanded desktop space can be difficult.