Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

spacedesk VS Input Leap

Compare spacedesk VS Input Leap and see what are their differences

spacedesk logo spacedesk

spacedesk expands the Windows desktop computer screen to other computers over the local area...

Input Leap logo Input Leap

Open-source KVM software.
  • spacedesk Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-09
  • Input Leap Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-08

spacedesk features and specs

  • Multi-Monitor Support
    spacedesk allows you to extend or duplicate your desktop across multiple devices, providing more screen real estate for multitasking and productivity.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    spacedesk supports a variety of operating systems including Windows, iOS, and Android, making it versatile for different users.
  • Wireless Connectivity
    The software supports wireless display connections, eliminating the need for physical cables and allowing for more flexible setups.
  • Easy Setup
    Installation and configuration are straightforward, requiring minimal technical knowledge to get started.
  • Cost-Effective
    spacedesk offers a free version that provides robust features, making it a cost-effective solution compared to purchasing additional monitors.

Possible disadvantages of spacedesk

  • Latency Issues
    Depending on network conditions, users may experience latency, which can be a drawback for activities requiring real-time response, such as gaming.
  • Quality Degradation
    Video quality may degrade over wireless connections, particularly on slower networks or with high-resolution displays.
  • Limited Features in Free Version
    While the free version is robust, it offers limited features compared to the paid version, which may not meet all user needs.
  • Network Dependency
    spacedesk relies on a stable network connection. Any disruption in the network can affect the performance and usability of the extended display.
  • Security Concerns
    Using a wireless connection introduces potential security risks, as data being transmitted over the network could be susceptible to interception.

Input Leap features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Support
    Input Leap allows for seamless interaction between multiple operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, and Linux, facilitating interoperability in mixed-OS environments.
  • Single Input Management
    With Input Leap, users can control multiple devices using one keyboard and mouse, reducing clutter and simplifying input management across devices.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, Input Leap provides transparency, allowing users to inspect, modify, and contribute to the project's codebase, fostering community involvement and trust.
  • Active Community
    A diligent open-source community supports Input Leap, offering regular updates, bug fixes, and new features, thereby enhancing the software's reliability and performance.

Possible disadvantages of Input Leap

  • Setup Complexity
    Setting up Input Leap can be complex for users unfamiliar with networking and system configuration, potentially requiring additional time and effort for initial configuration.
  • Security Concerns
    As with any network-based application, there are inherent security risks in using Input Leap, especially if not properly configured with secure connections.
  • Performance Issues
    Depending on network conditions and hardware specifications, users may experience latency or performance issues, affecting smooth input transitions between devices.
  • Limited Features Compared to Alternatives
    Input Leap might lack some advanced features or integrations found in other proprietary software solutions, potentially limiting its functionality for power users.

Analysis of spacedesk

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Spacedesk is a reliable and efficient tool for those seeking to extend their desktop workspace. It offers impressive performance with low latency, which is crucial for tasks requiring smooth visuals, such as design work or gaming. However, the experience may vary depending on network conditions when using a wireless setup.

Why this product is good

  • Spacedesk is considered a good solution due to its ability to transform any device with a screen, such as smartphones, tablets, or other computers, into an additional display for a Windows PC. This can be particularly useful for multitasking, expanding screen real estate, or presentations. It is easy to set up, supports a range of devices, and offers a flexible, cost-effective way to enhance productivity. Additionally, spacedesk supports wired and wireless connections, providing versatility in different network environments.

Recommended for

    Spacedesk is recommended for professionals who require additional screen space for productivity, such as graphic designers, programmers, or video editors. It's also beneficial for educators and presenters who need to share their screen with an audience. Casual users who enjoy multitasking or need a makeshift second monitor at home would also find it useful.

spacedesk videos

SpaceDesk - Free second monitor app

More videos:

  • Review - Use ANY Computer or Tablet as a Second Monitor! | Spacedesk
  • Review - SPACEDESK :: THE ULTIMATE ANDROID MONITOR

Input Leap videos

No Input Leap videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to spacedesk and Input Leap)
Remote Desktop
83 83%
17% 17
Mouse Tools
44 44%
56% 56
Remote PC Access
83 83%
17% 17
Multi Monitor
95 95%
5% 5

User comments

Share your experience with using spacedesk and Input Leap. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

spacedesk Reviews

Top 10 Duet Display Alternatives (Free and Paid) Reviewed | 2022
Like Duet Display, SpaceDesk is one of the most popular multi-monitor applications on the market. The main difference is that SpaceDesk is specifically designed to run smoothly on Windows devices. This means you’ll be able to wirelessly display your Asus, Acer, Dell, HP, and other windows based laptops as a second monitor.
Source: mediapeanut.com
Top 6 Best Spacedesk Alternatives for Duet Display
These are some of the top Spacedesk alternatives recommended by us. You can check them out and decide which one suits you the best. Each of these alternatives has their unique set of features. If we have missed out on any such useful Spacedesk alternative, then do let us know about it in the comments section below.
Source: itechhacks.com
8 Best SpaceDesk Alternatives for Duet Display (2022)
It is a well-known software operating since the time of SpaceDesk. Duet Display has advanced features that make it a perfect alternative for SpaceDesk. Previously the software was only compatible with iPads and MacBooks. But now, Duet Display is also available for Windows.
Source: techdator.net
7 Of The Best Spacedesk Alternatives For Multi-Monitor Work
Spacedesk is a software that provides the user with an extra display screen. Similarly, Spacedesk alternatives have somewhat the same functions.
Top spacedesk Alternatives & Similar Software (2020)
Accessing your computer desktop when you’re on the move has been an issue for long. Well, not anymore! With Spacedesk, you can have your computer desktop extended or duplicated on your smartphone. We give you a few Spacedesk Alternatives that’ll make the process really smooth and convenient for you. But first, here’s a bit more about Spacedesk.

Input Leap Reviews

We have no reviews of Input Leap yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

spacedesk might be a bit more popular than Input Leap. We know about 19 links to it since March 2021 and only 13 links to Input Leap. 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.

spacedesk mentions (19)

  • Just the basics
    Spacedesk but you have to change the settings on the tablet app to what resolution you want it to be. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Deskreen Turn any device into a secondary screen for your computer
    See also https://spacedesk.net/. Sadly Windows-host-only, but works pretty well, and anything with a browser in the same LAN can be a screen. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • Using spacedesk.net to use the car screen as an external monitor
    Spacedesk.net is a small application running on Windows allowing you to create virtual screens accessible on mobile devices or in a browser over the local network or wifi. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Lenovo just announced the next Duet: 13.3" OLED FHD screen, Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 CPU, 4/8GB RAM, 64/128/256GB eMMC
    You can use either an USB HDMI capture device (I have this one and it works great with my Duet) or try something like SpaceDesk, that will depend on how good is your network connection on both ends. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Virtual second monitor / PIP? [WIN 10]
    The easiest way is to use the Spacedesk utility: https://spacedesk.net/. Source: almost 4 years ago
View more

Input Leap mentions (13)

  • Unlocking secret ThinkPad functionality for emulating USB devices
    x2x worked fine for input devices. Later, things like x2vnc made the idea more cross-platform (X on the local nix box, VNC on some other platform), but only with two machines. After that, Synergy became a thing, and supported many* machines, but then they eventually went to a model that tended to require payment. Later, Barrier forked from Senergy, and it allows much of the same functionality. It's still... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Barrier: Open-Source KVM Software
    There is an actively developed fork https://github.com/input-leap/input-leap, however that fork is still undergoing heavy development and recommends sticking with Barrier until they're able to release v3.0.0 which they expect rather soon. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Hrvach/Deskhop: Fast Desktop Switching Device
    Barrier is basically a dead project now. The active members of the project forked it and are going to release when ready but https://github.com/input-leap/input-leap Keep an eye on that for anything new. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Hrvach/Deskhop: Fast Desktop Switching Device
    Prior to Synergy going to closed source, it was forked into Barrier[0], which then was forked into input-leap[1]. Both open source. [0] https://github.com/debauchee/barrier. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • What do you think of Smart KVM as a feature on a monitor?
    I wonder if I would be better off just buying a LG monitor without the Smart KVM, and instead using Barrier (or, Input Leap, which seems to be maintained actively compared to Barrier https://github.com/input-leap/input-leap). Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing spacedesk and Input Leap, 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...

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

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.

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