Software Alternatives & Reviews

SmartDraw VS Synergy

Compare SmartDraw VS Synergy and see what are their differences

SmartDraw logo SmartDraw

Instead of starting with a blank screen, SmartDraw gives you the exact template you need.

Synergy logo Synergy

Cross-platform software for sharing your mouse and keyboard between multiple computers
  • SmartDraw Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-26
  • 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.

SmartDraw videos

How to Make Floor Plans with SmartDraw's Floor Plan Creator and Designer

More videos:

  • Review - New CAD & Floor Plan Features in SmartDraw
  • Review - Announcing SmartDraw 2019

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 SmartDraw and Synergy)
Diagrams
100 100%
0% 0
Mouse Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Flowcharts
100 100%
0% 0
Remote PC Access
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare SmartDraw and Synergy

SmartDraw Reviews

10 Best Visio Alternatives for Cost Effective Diagramming [2022]
SmartDraw is an easy-to-navigate software application. Unlike other Visio alternatives, SmartDraw is easy to learn and use in less time.
Best 8 Free Visual Paradigm Alternatives in 2022
SmartDraw is a great way to make flowcharts since it has various elements for various types of charts. There are also different templates that can be customized and downloaded for free. The tool is also Microsoft Visio compatible because it can open and even save files made from the said application. It can also integrate with various applications such as Google Workspace,...
Source: gitmind.com
Top 15 free interior design software and tools in the year 2022
SmartDraw is a diagramming software that includes flow charts and house design tools, among other things. It's appropriate for amateurs, DIY enthusiasts, and industry pros, and it includes customization templates for cabinetry, fixtures, countertops, and decor to help you get the appearance you want.
Source: www.reddit.com
Compare The 10 Best Mind Mapping Software of 2021
SmartDraw provides users with more than 4500 templates for over 70 different types of diagrams, including flowcharts, infographics, landscape designs, decision trees, timelines, mind maps, engineering and CAD diagrams, and much more. It offers collaborative drawing online so users can work on the same diagrams at the same time, with an intelligent formatting engine that...
9 Best UML Software For Mac & PC
However, we strongly recommend taking a look at SmartDraw which is the best alternative to Microsoft Visio on Mac and is the only tool which can accurately import the latest Visio VSDX file format.
Source: machow2.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 more popular. It has been mentiond 281 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.

SmartDraw mentions (0)

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

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 SmartDraw and Synergy, you can also consider the following products

LucidChart - LucidChart is the missing link in online productivity suites. LucidChart allows users to create, collaborate on, and publish attractive flowcharts and other diagrams from a web browser.

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

draw.io - Online diagramming application

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

Visio - Simplify and communicate complex information using data-linked diagrams.

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