Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

iDisplay VS Input Leap

Compare iDisplay VS Input Leap and see what are their differences

iDisplay logo 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.

Input Leap logo Input Leap

Open-source KVM software.
  • iDisplay Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-01-21
  • Input Leap Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-08

iDisplay features and specs

  • Extended Display
    iDisplay allows users to extend their primary screen to secondary devices, such as tablets or smartphones, providing more real estate for multitasking.
  • Compatibility
    The application is compatible with both macOS and Windows operating systems, making it versatile for different users.
  • Portability
    By turning a tablet or smartphone into an extra monitor, users can have a portable multi-screen setup, useful for presentations and on-the-go tasks.
  • Touch Input Support
    iDisplay allows the secondary device to utilize touch input, enabling interactive tasks that can be more intuitive on touch-enabled devices.
  • Ease of Use
    The application offers a simple setup process and user-friendly interface, making it accessible even for those who are not tech-savvy.

Possible disadvantages of iDisplay

  • Performance
    Some users have reported performance issues such as lag and latency, especially when using the software over Wi-Fi connections.
  • Stability
    The application may sometimes crash or disconnect, leading to interruptions in workflow and requiring frequent reconnections.
  • Battery Drain
    Using a smartphone or tablet as an extended display can drain its battery quickly, necessitating frequent recharging.
  • Cost
    While iDisplay offers a range of useful features, it is not a free app. Users have to purchase it, which can be a con for those looking for a no-cost solution.
  • Limited Platform Compatibility
    The application predominantly supports iOS and Android devices for the extended display, potentially excluding users on other platforms.

Input Leap features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Support
    Input Leap allows for seamless interaction between multiple operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, and Linux, facilitating interoperability in mixed-OS environments.
  • Single Input Management
    With Input Leap, users can control multiple devices using one keyboard and mouse, reducing clutter and simplifying input management across devices.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, Input Leap provides transparency, allowing users to inspect, modify, and contribute to the project's codebase, fostering community involvement and trust.
  • Active Community
    A diligent open-source community supports Input Leap, offering regular updates, bug fixes, and new features, thereby enhancing the software's reliability and performance.

Possible disadvantages of Input Leap

  • Setup Complexity
    Setting up Input Leap can be complex for users unfamiliar with networking and system configuration, potentially requiring additional time and effort for initial configuration.
  • Security Concerns
    As with any network-based application, there are inherent security risks in using Input Leap, especially if not properly configured with secure connections.
  • Performance Issues
    Depending on network conditions and hardware specifications, users may experience latency or performance issues, affecting smooth input transitions between devices.
  • Limited Features Compared to Alternatives
    Input Leap might lack some advanced features or integrations found in other proprietary software solutions, potentially limiting its functionality for power users.

Analysis of iDisplay

Overall verdict

  • Overall, iDisplay is well-regarded for its straightforward installation process and reliable performance. However, some users report issues with lag or connection stability, which may vary depending on the hardware and network configuration. It is a practical solution for those in need of additional screen space without investing in more hardware.

Why this product is good

  • iDisplay is a software solution that allows users to extend their computer screen to multiple devices, usually tablets or smartphones. It provides flexibility and enhances productivity by turning these devices into additional monitors. The software is particularly useful for people who need multiple screens for multitasking but have space or hardware constraints.

Recommended for

    iDisplay is recommended for remote workers, graphic designers, developers, and anyone who benefits from increased screen real estate. It's especially useful for those who travel frequently or work in environments where setting up multiple traditional monitors is impractical.

iDisplay videos

iDisplay App Review - Sweetwater's iOS Update, Vol. 102

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Input Leap videos

No Input Leap videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to iDisplay and Input Leap)
Remote Desktop
74 74%
26% 26
Mouse Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Remote PC Access
72 72%
28% 28
Multi Monitor
92 92%
8% 8

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare iDisplay and Input Leap

iDisplay Reviews

Top 10 Duet Display Alternatives (Free and Paid) Reviewed | 2022
As with most of the apps on our list, iDisplay streams video at 60 frames per second. Another feature of iDisplay is that it supports multitouch on all devices. Also, iDisplay lets you connect more than one device to your computer.
Source: mediapeanut.com
Top 6 Best Spacedesk Alternatives for Duet Display
Using iDisplay, you can convert your Android device or your iPad into an extended screen for your primary PC. It supports wired as well as a wireless connection for up to three screens at once.
Source: itechhacks.com
7 Of The Best Spacedesk Alternatives For Multi-Monitor Work
Looking for a touch screen display window than iDisplay is your tool. It converts the iPad and iPhone to a second touch screen display. It can instantly turn your iPad device for the multi-screen show, which is compatible with the android phone as well as a laptop.
Top spacedesk Alternatives & Similar Software (2020)
iDisplay works on both Mac and Windows turning your iPad or iPhone into another touch-screen display. It also lets you mirror your desktop on your iPad or iPhone. You have all MS-Office apps like Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Photoshop right on your iPad or iPhone which shall work on just a touch. Working with almost 0 latency, it is compatible to both lightning and 30-pin...
6 Ways to Use Your Android as Second Monitor For Your Computer
iDisplay is another display mirroring app on this list. iDisplay started with the macOS and iOS but quickly expanded to other Operating systems. You have apps for Windows and Android which makes it a good cross-platform solution. It supports 60 fps and plus offers multi-touch on the device you are using it on.
Source: techwiser.com

Input Leap Reviews

We have no reviews of Input Leap yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Input Leap seems to be a lot more popular than iDisplay. While we know about 13 links to Input Leap, we've tracked only 1 mention of iDisplay. 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.

iDisplay mentions (1)

  • Can I use my ipad as a third screen over a USB cable?
    I have done some research and found iDisplay. However that only works for windows, macOS and android and I dont think it would work over wine. Source: almost 2 years ago

Input Leap mentions (13)

  • Unlocking secret ThinkPad functionality for emulating USB devices
    x2x worked fine for input devices. Later, things like x2vnc made the idea more cross-platform (X on the local nix box, VNC on some other platform), but only with two machines. After that, Synergy became a thing, and supported many* machines, but then they eventually went to a model that tended to require payment. Later, Barrier forked from Senergy, and it allows much of the same functionality. It's still... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Barrier: Open-Source KVM Software
    There is an actively developed fork https://github.com/input-leap/input-leap, however that fork is still undergoing heavy development and recommends sticking with Barrier until they're able to release v3.0.0 which they expect rather soon. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Hrvach/Deskhop: Fast Desktop Switching Device
    Barrier is basically a dead project now. The active members of the project forked it and are going to release when ready but https://github.com/input-leap/input-leap Keep an eye on that for anything new. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Hrvach/Deskhop: Fast Desktop Switching Device
    Prior to Synergy going to closed source, it was forked into Barrier[0], which then was forked into input-leap[1]. Both open source. [0] https://github.com/debauchee/barrier. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • What do you think of Smart KVM as a feature on a monitor?
    I wonder if I would be better off just buying a LG monitor without the Smart KVM, and instead using Barrier (or, Input Leap, which seems to be maintained actively compared to Barrier https://github.com/input-leap/input-leap). Source: almost 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing iDisplay and Input Leap, you can also consider the following products

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.

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

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

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.

Input Director - Control multiple windows systems with one keyboard/mouse. Share a keyboard and mouse across multiple windows system.