Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Input Director VS HotkeyNet

Compare Input Director VS HotkeyNet and see what are their differences

Input Director logo Input Director

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

HotkeyNet logo HotkeyNet

HotkeyNet is free multiboxing software.
  • Input Director Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-22
  • HotkeyNet Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26

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.

HotkeyNet features and specs

  • Customizability
    HotkeyNet allows users to customize hotkeys extensively to perform specific tasks and commands across multiple windows, making it highly adaptable to different user needs.
  • Multiboxing Support
    The software is designed to facilitate multiboxing, allowing users to control multiple game instances simultaneously, which is particularly useful for MMORPG players.
  • Cross-Platform Functionality
    HotkeyNet works with various operating systems, including Windows, making it versatile for users accessing different platforms.
  • Free to Use
    HotkeyNet is free software, which makes it accessible for all users without any licensing costs.

Possible disadvantages of HotkeyNet

  • Complex Setup Process
    For new users, especially those unfamiliar with scripting, the initial setup process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring a learning curve to master.
  • Limited Official Support
    Being a free and somewhat niche tool, there is limited official customer support, with users often relying on community forums for help.
  • Potential Game Policy Violations
    Using HotkeyNet for multiboxing in games can sometimes violate game terms of service, potentially leading to account bans if not used carefully.
  • Windows Focus Issues
    In some cases, HotkeyNet can cause issues with keeping the correct window in focus, which might disrupt gameplay or task automation.

Analysis of Input Director

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Input Director is highly regarded for its functionality and efficiency in managing multiple systems. It offers a cost-effective and powerful solution for users looking to optimize their workflow without the complexity of additional hardware solutions.

Why this product is good

  • Input Director is considered a good software because it allows users to control multiple Windows computers with a single keyboard and mouse. It is particularly favored for its ease of use, reliability, and the ability to seamlessly switch controls across screens. The software supports features such as shared clipboard, drag-and-drop files, and customizable key bindings, which enhances user productivity, especially in multi-computer environments.

Recommended for

    Input Director is recommended for users who work with several Windows computers simultaneously, such as software developers, graphic designers, and IT professionals. It's ideal for anyone who needs to enhance their productivity in an environment with multiple screens or computers.

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

HotkeyNet videos

WoW - Battle For Azeroth Dual-boxing Tutorial with Hotkeynet ( Updated and Fixed for BFA! :D )

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Input Director and HotkeyNet)
Remote Desktop
79 79%
21% 21
Automation
0 0%
100% 100
Remote PC Access
100 100%
0% 0
Mouse Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

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...

HotkeyNet Reviews

We have no reviews of HotkeyNet yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Input Director seems to be more popular. 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.

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: about 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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HotkeyNet mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of HotkeyNet yet. Tracking of HotkeyNet recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Input Director and HotkeyNet, you can also consider the following products

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

ISBoxer - Play characters together. Powerlevel yourself. Multibox.

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

Keyclone - Keyclone is a key broadcasting application that allows users to control multiple instances of an application using a single keyboard/input device. While commonly used for m...

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

Buttoncommander - Buttoncommander 1.0 is a Automation Software that can Create Toolbar Launchers for any sort of applications. Run command scripts from tool images.