Software Alternatives & Reviews

iDisplay VS Synergy

Compare iDisplay VS Synergy 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.

Synergy logo Synergy

Cross-platform software for sharing your mouse and keyboard between multiple computers
  • iDisplay Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-01-21
  • Synergy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-05

Synergy is a software application developed by Symless. It is used for sharing a keyboard and mouse between multiple computers, and is useful in situations where several PCs are used together, with a monitor connected to each, but are to be controlled by one user. 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 components are released under the terms of the GNU General Public License, which is free software. The first version of Synergy was created on May 13, 2001, by Chris Schoeneman and worked with the X Window System only. Synergy now supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and other Unix-like operating systems.

Once the program is installed, users can move the mouse "off" the side of their desktop on one computer, and the mouse pointer will appear on the desktop of another computer. Key presses will be delivered to whichever computer the mouse-pointer is located in. This makes it possible to control several machines as easily as if they were a single multi-monitor computer. The clipboard and even screensavers can be synchronized.

The program is implemented as a server which defines which screen-edges lead to which machines, and one or more clients, which connect to the server to offer the use of their desktops. The keyboard and mouse are connected to the server machine.

iDisplay videos

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

More videos:

Synergy videos

Review - Synergy by Symless - Multi Machine Network Control Software

More videos:

  • Review - Symless Synergy Review - Mac (Keyboard & Mouse Sharing)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to iDisplay and Synergy)
Remote Desktop
48 48%
52% 52
Mouse Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Remote PC Access
27 27%
73% 73
Multi Monitor
28 28%
72% 72

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 Synergy

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

Synergy Reviews

Top spacedesk Alternatives & Similar Software (2020)
Synergy is yet another software that lets you work on separate computers with the same input devices. It helps you save all the clutter caused by the cables of a traditional KVM. What’s more, it works even when the computers are working on separate operating systems. This feature makes it stand out from Spacedesk. For Synergy to function, you’ll need the systems to run on...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Synergy seems to be a lot more popular than iDisplay. While we know about 281 links to Synergy, 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: 8 months ago

Synergy mentions (281)

  • Hrvach/Deskhop: Fast Desktop Switching Device
    I use a software called Synergy. https://symless.com/synergy I have one keyboard and mouse connected to one "host" machine, and two machines connected as clients. Sometimes if the host machine bogs a bit (like running a build or something) then the clients will have some latency but I've used this setup for gaming and work for two years and it's been pretty good. My only complaint (about my personal setup, not the... - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Hrvach/Deskhop: Fast Desktop Switching Device
    I’ve been using a software solution for this for over a decade. It’s called Synergy (https://symless.com/synergy) and it is fast - switches instantly over wifi and also works across Windows/Mac/Linux. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Hrvach/Deskhop: Fast Desktop Switching Device
    Synergy works well for this purely in software. Unfortunately it's not free or open source, but it's relatively inexpensive. https://symless.com/synergy. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Help me create a seamless LAN with a WAP on the end of a switch
    I want to be able to do things like Synergy, Steam Link, Unified Remote, and Media Servers between any of these devices, with as little added latency as possible (especially important for steam link). Source: 5 months ago
  • Linux VNC viewer not displaying MacOS with multiple desktops (single monitor)
    i've got several fedora linux machines running and sharing their monitors via synergy (https://symless.com/synergy) , all controlled by the keyboard/mouse on the primary synergy server. Source: 5 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing iDisplay and Synergy, 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...

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

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.

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