Software Alternatives & Startups

iDisplay VS Vim

Compare iDisplay VS Vim and see what are their differences

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.

iDisplay Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
Vim

Highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing

Vim Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Vim should be more popular than iDisplay. It has been mentioned 10 times since March 2021.

social mentions
1 vs 10
Remote Desktop popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
111 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

iDisplay
Vim
Website getidisplay.com vim.org
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

iDisplay 5 features
Vim 6 features
  • 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

  • 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.
  • Efficiency
    Once learned, Vim can significantly speed up text editing with its modal editing, keyboard shortcuts, and commands that allow for quick navigation and manipulation of text.
  • Lightweight
    Vim is a very lightweight editor, consuming minimal system resources, making it highly performant even on systems with lower specifications.
  • Customizability
    Vim is highly configurable and extensible through plugins and user-defined settings, allowing users to tailor the editor to their specific needs.
  • Ubiquity
    Vim is available on almost every Unix-like system and even on Windows, making it a ubiquitous tool that you can rely on being available in most environments.
  • Support for Multiple Programming Languages
    Vim supports a wide range of programming languages out of the box and offers syntax highlighting, which can be enhanced through plugins.
  • Powerful Search and Replace
    Vim offers robust searching and replacing functionalities, including support for regular expressions, which can be a powerful tool for developers.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Vim's modal editing and extensive set of commands can be daunting for new users, requiring significant time and effort to master.
  • Minimal Default Config
    The default configuration of Vim is quite minimalistic, which may necessitate additional setup and customization to meet modern development needs.
  • Limited GUI
    Vim primarily operates in a terminal, and while there are graphical variants like GVim, they are not as feature-rich or user-friendly as modern GUI editors.
  • Plugin Management
    While Vim is highly extensible, managing and configuring plugins can be cumbersome compared to more modern editors that offer integrated plugin management.
  • Inconsistent Behavior Across Platforms
    There may be inconsistencies in behavior or available features of Vim across different operating systems, which can complicate its use in certain environments.
  • Lack of Integrated Modern Features
    Vim lacks some modern IDE features like integrated debugging, advanced code introspection, and refined autocompletion, which often require third-party plugins to achieve.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

iDisplay
Vim

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.

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Vim is a good text editor, especially for users who invest the time to learn its powerful commands and features. Its steep learning curve may be challenging initially, but once mastered, it significantly enhances productivity.

Why this product is good

  • Vim is considered a powerful text editor because of its efficiency and versatility. It offers extensive features, such as syntax highlighting, a robust plugin system, and support for numerous programming languages. Vim is highly configurable, enabling users to customize its environment to fit their needs. It is particularly appreciated for its speed and the ability to perform complex text manipulations using simple commands.

Recommended for

    Vim is recommended for programmers, developers, and system administrators who require a highly efficient and customizable text editing experience. It is especially useful for those who work extensively in terminal environments or need a quick, resource-light text editor for remote systems.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

iDisplay 2 videos + Add
Vim 3 videos + Add

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

More videos

What Vim Is and Why You Should Learn It

More videos

  • Review - JAC Vapour VIM Review - JAC does a side by side mod...
  • Review - Jac Vapour VIM - Quick Look

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
iDisplay
Vim
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
IDE
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using iDisplay and Vim. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

iDisplay no reviews yet
Vim no reviews yet

View more

  • Boost Your Productivity with These Top Text Editors and IDEs
    convesio.com · Nov 2023

    Vim offers a variety of features like split windows, macros, and extensive customization options. It has a steep learning curve, but once you master it, you’ll be amazed at the speed and productivity it brings to your...

  • 13 Best Text Editors to Speed up Your Workflow
    kinsta.com · Sep 2023

    It’s tough to say which developers would enjoy Vim as a text editor. It’s an old system with an outdated interface. Yet, it still has the charm and powerful feature-set that the average developer needs. I would...

  • 12 Best LaTeX Editors You Should Use
    beebom.com · Dec 2021

    The entire installation process is perfectly documented on their Sourceforge page, which you must definitely pay a visit. There is another standalone Vim software, known as the gVim that brings a GUI-based interface...

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

iDisplay 1 mention
Vim 10 mentions
  • 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: about 3 years ago
  • regular Vim has lua?!
    Lua is quite small, encouraging distros to include it. The ubuntu gvim has, and the gvim AppImage linked from vim.org does. The default Makefile from github is set up to not include it, but you can uncomment one line there to get it. Source: over 3 years ago
  • is there a way to make highlighted text persistent after quit when using something like [match Search /\%'.line('.').'l/] ?
    I've not used vimwiki locally (tho I'm old enough to remember the Vim wiki on vim.org :), but I think what you are wanting to do is extend vimwiki's syntax file. I presume it installs one at $VIMRUNTIM/syntax or or ~/.vim/syntax. If... Source: almost 4 years ago
  • vim.org - Is there a reason for this 1800s-esque design?
    Vim.org has 242k total visitors, tailwindcss.com has 4.4m, planetscale.com has 412k, jpl.nasa.gov has 2.6m, all built with Tailwind, all several years younger than Vim's website. Unnecessary comparison, unnecessary defence. It's a... Source: almost 4 years ago

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Alternatives to iDisplay and Vim

When comparing iDisplay and Vim, you can also consider the following products.