Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Duet Display VS Input Director

Compare Duet Display VS Input Director and see what are their differences

Duet Display logo Duet Display

With Duet Display, you can transform your iPhone or iPad into a second display to expand the screen space of your PC or Mac system.

Input Director logo Input Director

Control multiple windows systems with one keyboard/mouse. Share a keyboard and mouse across multiple windows system.
  • Duet Display Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-02
  • Input Director Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-22

Duet Display features and specs

  • Increased Productivity
    Allows users to extend their desktop to an iPad or Android tablet, providing additional workspace for multitasking and productivity.
  • Easy Setup
    Simple to install and connect with minimal technical knowledge required, allowing for quick integration into the workflow.
  • Compatibility
    Supports multiple operating systems including macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android, making it versatile for different environments.
  • Portability
    Transforms a tablet into a second screen, which is more portable and convenient than traditional monitors, beneficial for users on the go.
  • Touchscreen Support
    Offers touchscreen functionality on tablets, adding interactive capabilities that standard monitors might lack.
  • No Additional Hardware
    Does not require any additional hardware other than the tablet and the connecting cable, reducing extra expenses.
  • Wireless Mode
    Provides a wireless mode for users who prefer a cable-free setup, making the workspace cleaner and more flexible.

Possible disadvantages of Duet Display

  • Performance Issues
    In some cases, users may experience lag or latency, especially in the wireless mode, which can affect efficiency.
  • Battery Drain
    Using a tablet as an extended display can significantly drain its battery, necessitating frequent recharges or constant power connection.
  • Limited Resolution
    The maximum resolution is often limited by the tablet's capabilities, which might not be as high as dedicated monitors.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    While generally compatible with many devices, occasional issues with specific device models or operating system versions can arise.
  • Subscription Cost
    Offers a subscription model for advanced features, which might not be ideal for users looking for a one-time purchase solution.
  • Reliance on Good Network
    For wireless mode, a stable and fast Wi-Fi connection is necessary to avoid interruptions, which might not always be available.

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.

Duet Display videos

Apple Sidecar vs Duet Display: What's the Difference?

More videos:

  • Review - Turning an iPad into a Second Monitor for Pc & Mac: Duet Display
  • Review - Duet Display Review

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 Duet Display and Input Director)
Remote Desktop
62 62%
38% 38
Remote PC Access
65 65%
35% 35
Multi Monitor
71 71%
29% 29
Mouse Tools
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 Duet Display and Input Director

Duet Display Reviews

Top 10 Duet Display Alternatives (Free and Paid) Reviewed | 2022
Duet Display vs SpaceDesk: While some users do claim that SpaceDesk is not as responsive as Duet Display, the overall experience is satisfactory. It’s interesting that splash top is available on both Mac and windows and requires two separate installations: One version mobile and one version Desktop.
Source: mediapeanut.com
8 Best SpaceDesk Alternatives for Duet Display (2022)
It is a well-known software operating since the time of SpaceDesk. Duet Display has advanced features that make it a perfect alternative for SpaceDesk. Previously the software was only compatible with iPads and MacBooks. But now, Duet Display is also available for Windows.
Source: techdator.net
Top spacedesk Alternatives & Similar Software (2020)
For quite some time now, Duet Display has been helping old iPads work as MacBook displays that are fast too. It’s only recently that they have been focusing on Windows and they are emerging as a good alternative to Spacedesk. It’s a smooth transformation of your iPad into a monitor of your Windows PC. It only involves a simple plug and play to be set up helping you avoid a...
6 Ways to Use Your Android as Second Monitor For Your Computer
Duet Display is a popular iOS app that allows you to mirror and extend your Mac’s display to your iPad or iPhone. And now that Apple is providing this feature natively via Sidecar, Duet Display is expanding its horizons with support for Android smartphones and tablets.
Source: techwiser.com

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 should be more popular than Duet Display. 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.

Duet Display mentions (4)

  • Does anybody know how I can rotate the ipad display vertically. I'm using acars?
    Third party app Duet (duetdisplay.com) allows vertical orientation. Source: about 2 years ago
  • do non apple tablets work for the new mac mini?
    The native Apple Sidecar monitor extension thing will only work within range of the host computer ("both devices must be within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other and have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff turned on "). There's third party apps that kind of do what Sidecar does for older iPads AND Android devices. I like Duet duetdisplay.com - again, wired/wireless distance limitations restrict "portability". Source: over 2 years ago
  • r/ChromeOS 500k Giveaway - A Premium Chromebook, USI styluses, a Keyboard & Mouse Combo, giftcodes and more are up for grabs! Comment below to enter!
    Thanks to our friends at About Chromebooks, Penoval, the Crostini subreddit, Duet Display and MyScript for helping make this possible. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • "Duet Display connection" not allowing USB-C file transfer (UPDATED)
    - At one point I cleared the cache, and it appeared to fix the problem (I could USB-C transfer files to and from device). However, today I booted up my SN and got hit with the familiar "Duet Display connection; No installed apps work with this USB accessory. Learn more about this accessory at https://duetdisplay.com". Source: about 3 years ago

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: almost 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 Duet Display and Input Director, you can also consider the following products

spacedesk - spacedesk expands the Windows desktop computer screen to other computers over the local area...

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

iDisplay - iDisplay is an app that turns a mobile device into a secondary desktop monitor. The app currently supports iOS, Android, Windows and MacOS, and it lets users connect a desktop computer to a mobile device over WiFi. Read more about iDisplay.

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

Air Display - Air Display allows extra screens to extend the display size of a Mac desktop. The company behind the product is Avatron Software, which was founded in 2008. Read more about Air Display.

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