Switch your monitor’s video input and seamlessly transfer text and files! A Linux/macOS/Windows Desktop Application.
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Which is more popular?
Based on our record, Barrier
seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned
349 times
since March 2021.
social mentions
349 vs 0
Remote PC Access popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
71 vs 9
Base details
Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.
Cross-Platform Support Barrier works on various operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD, making it versatile for users with multiple devices.
Open Source Being open source, users can review and modify the code, contributing to transparency and security while fostering a community-driven project.
Cost-Free Barrier is free to use, unlike some alternatives that require purchasing a license, making it accessible to a wider audience.
Unified Control Allows seamless control of multiple computers using a single keyboard and mouse, enhancing productivity and convenience.
Customizability Offers various customization options such as hotkeys, screen edges, and clipboard sharing, adapting to user-specific workflows.
Possible disadvantages
Setup Complexity Initial setup can be complex for non-technical users, involving network configurations and firewall adjustments.
Compatibility Issues Occasional compatibility problems with certain versions of operating systems or hardware, potentially requiring troubleshooting.
Lag and Latency Users may experience slight lag or latency, especially over wireless networks, which can affect the fluidity of control.
Limited Technical Support As a community-driven project, it lacks the dedicated support of commercial alternatives, relying mostly on community forums for help.
Security Concerns Network-based connectivity might expose systems to security risks if not properly configured, necessitating careful network management.
Visual keyboard shortcut display Keymap.app provides an on-screen overlay showing keyboard shortcuts for the active application, helping users learn and remember shortcuts without needing to memorize them upfront.
Increases productivity By making keyboard shortcuts more accessible and visible, the tool encourages users to rely less on the mouse and more on keyboard-driven workflows, which can speed up common tasks.
macOS integration The app is designed specifically for macOS, allowing it to tightly integrate with the operating system's application switching and shortcut detection features for a smoother experience.
Simple and lightweight Keymap is a focused utility that does one thing well—displaying shortcuts—without unnecessary bloat or complex configuration, making it easy to install and use.
Helpful for learning new apps When switching to unfamiliar software, Keymap can reduce the learning curve by surfacing relevant keyboard shortcuts contextually as you use different applications.
Possible disadvantages
macOS only Keymap is exclusively available for macOS, meaning Windows and Linux users cannot benefit from the tool, which limits its overall accessibility to a broader user base.
Limited app coverage Not all third-party applications may have their shortcuts fully mapped or supported, which can result in incomplete or missing shortcut information for certain software.
Potential system overhead Running an additional background utility to monitor active applications and display overlays may introduce minor performance overhead, particularly on older Mac hardware.
Learning curve for setup Depending on how customizable the tool is, users may need to spend time configuring or adding custom shortcut sets for niche or in-house applications not natively supported.
Dependency on developer updates Since macOS and third-party apps frequently update their interfaces and shortcuts, Keymap's usefulness relies on the developer keeping the shortcut database current and compatible with new OS versions.
Analysis
An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.
BarrierKeymap
Overall verdict
Barrier is generally considered a good option for individuals looking for an open-source solution to seamlessly share peripherals across multiple computers. It has a positive reception within the tech community, especially among those who value open-source projects for their flexibility and community-driven support.
Why this product is good
Barrier is an open-source software application that allows users to share a single keyboard and mouse setup across multiple computers, which can be particularly useful for those who use multiple machines for work or development. It is a fork of the earlier project Synergy and focuses on providing a simpler, streamlined setup process with improved stability. The software is lightweight, easy to configure, and supports cross-platform functionality (Windows, macOS, and Linux), making it versatile for different operating systems.
Recommended for
Users with multiple computers who want to use a single keyboard and mouse setup.
Cross-platform users who work with Windows, macOS, and Linux machines.
Developers and IT professionals seeking open-source tools for better control over their working environment.
Individuals who prefer community-driven projects and are comfortable with a more hands-on approach to software setup and troubleshooting.
For Barrier to work, all that is needed is a network connection. You can also copy content from one clipboard to another between computers. Like all other software that let you work on multiple computers, Barrier too...
Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.
Barrier349 mentionsKeymap0 mentions
Starlink from 1984
You kind of can do this already with a raspberry pi strapped to the back of a monitor and "barrier", the successor to synergy, to use the keyboard and pointing device of your laptop on as many displays on the same desk as you want. Each...
- Source: Hacker News
/
4 months ago
So I made a WebRTC powered VNC client in Vue/Rust 🦀
I used to and still do use and recommend Barrier for sharing a mouse and clipboard and keypresses across OS's. It works for Mac, Windows, and Linux. They have a fork input-leap... It doesn't work, and there is a paid on from the same...
- Source: dev.to
/
about 2 years ago
Alfred is an award-winning app for macOS which boosts your efficiency with hotkeys, keywords, text expansion and more. Search your Mac and the web, and be more productive with custom actions to control your Mac.
With its easy setup and high level of versatility, ShareMouse is a great tool if you're looking to use a single mouse and keyboard across multiple computers.
Synergy
Input Director
ShareMouse
Input Leap
DisplayFusion
Ultramon
Actual Multiple Monitors
Alfred
Swish
Accelerator Keys
Homerow
HotkeyClash
Shortcut Keeper
