Software Alternatives & Startups

Input Director VS Syncthing

Compare Input Director VS Syncthing and see what are their differences

Input Director

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

Rating
0 reviews
Syncthing

Syncthing replaces proprietary sync and cloud services with something open, trustworthy and...

Rating
5.0 · 1 review
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, Syncthing seems to be a lot more popular than Input Director. While we know about 852 links to Syncthing, we've tracked only 6 mentions of Input Director.

social mentions
6 vs 852
Remote Desktop popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
43 vs 240+

Base details

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

Input Director
Syncthing
Website inputdirector.com syncthing.net
Pricing —
Open source
Company — Startup from Germany
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Input Director 5 features
Syncthing 5 features
  • 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

  • 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.
  • Open Source
    Syncthing is open-source software, making it free to use and allowing for community contributions. This fosters transparency and continuous improvement.
  • Privacy
    The software uses peer-to-peer communication, meaning your files are not stored on a third-party server, enhancing privacy and security.
  • Cross Platform
    Syncthing is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android, ensuring broad compatibility.
  • Real-time Sync
    The software offers real-time synchronization, which ensures that changes are immediately propagated across all devices, minimizing data inconsistencies.
  • Version Control
    Syncthing provides file versioning features, which can help recover older versions of files in case of accidental deletion or changes.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complex Setup
    Initial configuration and setup might be complex for users who are not technically inclined, requiring a certain level of understanding of network concepts.
  • Resource Usage
    Real-time syncing and continuous operation can consume significant system resources, affecting performance, especially on less powerful devices.
  • No Native Mobile Experience
    While Syncthing is available on Android, there is no official iOS app, which limits its usability for users on Apple's mobile platform.
  • Network Dependency
    Effective synchronization depends on the availability of a reliable network connection, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Self-Management
    Unlike cloud-based solutions, Syncthing requires users to handle their own backups, security, and maintenance, which can be time-consuming and complex.

Analysis

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

Input Director
Syncthing

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.

No analysis of Syncthing yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Input Director 3 videos + Add
Syncthing 3 videos + Add

How to use one Mouse & Keyboard with two Computers - Input Director Tutorial

More videos

  • - Control Multiple Computers at Once! | Input Director Showcase and Tutorial
  • - Control Multiple Machines with Input Director

Why We Use Syncthing, The Open Source Private File Syncing Tool instead of NextCloud

More videos

  • - Setup and Review of SyncThing, The Open Source File synchronization tool
  • - Syncthing for Syncing Both Computers & Phones

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
Input Director
Syncthing
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Input Director and Syncthing. 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.

Input Director no reviews yet
Syncthing 5.0 · 1 review

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Input Director 6 mentions
Syncthing 852 mentions
  • 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... Source: over 3 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: about 4 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: over 4 years ago

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  • KeepassDX – open-source Password Manager for Android
    Syncing the database between devices with Syncthing (https://syncthing.net/) is pretty neat too! - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • Syncthing File Sync for Self-Hosted Knowledge Systems
    Unlike cloud storage platforms, Syncthing uses a peer-to-peer model where each device holds its own copy of synced folders and exchanges changes directly with trusted peers. There is no central server that owns your data, no subscription... - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • The Quiet Renovation at Bitwarden
    Been using this setup for many years and never had any problem at all. I sync between desktop and mobile with Syncthing[0]. And also you can configure Syncthing to do file versioning, and it has many options (Trash Can, Simple, Staggered... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago

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Alternatives to Input Director and Syncthing

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