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Synergy VS Dual Monitor Taskbar

Compare Synergy VS Dual Monitor Taskbar and see what are their differences

Synergy logo Synergy

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

Dual Monitor Taskbar logo Dual Monitor Taskbar

A taskbar for the second monitor.
  • 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.

  • Dual Monitor Taskbar Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-28

Synergy features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Synergy supports multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing you to share a single mouse and keyboard across different machines seamlessly.
  • Efficiency
    It enhances productivity by providing smoother workflow transitions between multiple computers without the need for additional hardware.
  • Customization
    Synergy offers a range of customizable options for configuring hotkeys, screen layouts, and behaviors to suit individual user preferences.
  • Encryption
    The software supports SSL encryption, ensuring that data transferred between machines remains secure.
  • Clipboard Sharing
    You can easily copy and paste text and files between different computers, streamlining multi-computer management tasks.

Possible disadvantages of Synergy

  • Cost
    Synergy is a paid application, which might not be ideal for users looking for a free solution.
  • Initial Setup Complexity
    The initial setup can be complicated, especially for non-technical users, involving configuration of network settings and screen layouts.
  • Occasional Lag
    Some users have reported experiencing occasional lag or connectivity issues, particularly over Wi-Fi connections.
  • Security Concerns
    Despite SSL encryption, there are potential security risks involved in transferring data over a network, especially in untrusted environments.
  • Compatibility Issues
    There might be occasional compatibility issues with certain applications or specific versions of an operating system.

Dual Monitor Taskbar features and specs

  • Enhanced Productivity
    Having a taskbar on each monitor can increase productivity by making it easier to switch between applications and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
  • Consistent User Interface
    Dual Monitor Taskbar keeps the user interface consistent across multiple monitors, providing a seamless user experience.
  • Customizability
    The software offers customization options that allow users to tailor the taskbar appearance and behavior to their personal preferences.
  • Free and Open Source
    Being open-source software, it is free to use and can be modified according to user needs, allowing for a transparent and community-driven development process.
  • Balanced Workload on Displays
    By distributing the taskbar across both monitors, users can balance workload and declutter the main screen, optimizing workspace usage.

Possible disadvantages of Dual Monitor Taskbar

  • Compatibility Issues
    Dual Monitor Taskbar may not be compatible with all hardware setups or software configurations, leading to potential issues.
  • Limited Feature Set
    Compared to some commercial alternatives, the feature set might be relatively basic, lacking some advanced functionalities.
  • Potential Stability Problems
    As with many open-source projects, there may be bugs or stability issues that need to be addressed, possibly affecting user experience.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might experience a learning curve when configuring and customizing the software to suit their needs.
  • Development and Support
    Being an open-source tool, active development and official support might be irregular, potentially impacting timely updates and fixes.

Analysis of Synergy

Overall verdict

  • Synergy is generally considered a good tool for those who need seamless control over multiple computers, providing a practical solution to multi-device management. However, user experiences may vary based on the specific setup and technical expertise.

Why this product is good

  • Synergy by Symless allows users to control multiple devices with a single keyboard and mouse across different operating systems. It's known for improving productivity by eliminating the need for multiple input devices on crowded desks and easing workflow for those working with multiple computers simultaneously.

Recommended for

    Synergy is recommended for IT professionals, developers, graphic designers, and other users who regularly work with multiple computers and need an efficient way to manage them all at once.

Synergy videos

Review - Synergy by Symless - Multi Machine Network Control Software

More videos:

  • Review - Symless Synergy Review - Mac (Keyboard & Mouse Sharing)

Dual Monitor Taskbar videos

No Dual Monitor Taskbar videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Synergy and Dual Monitor Taskbar)
Mouse Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Multi Monitor
82 82%
18% 18
Remote PC Access
90 90%
10% 10
Remote Desktop
72 72%
28% 28

User comments

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Reviews

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

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...

Dual Monitor Taskbar Reviews

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Synergy seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 283 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.

Synergy mentions (283)

  • Solaar is a Linux manager for many Logitech keyboards, mice, and other devices
    Just use Synergy, the OG "soft KVM": https://symless.com/synergy. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Notepad++ is 21 years old
    I continue to use Notepad++ despite having tried every other editor and IDE under the sun. This, of course, drives every person completely insane when I explain that my "IDE" is: - Notepad++ for editing, pretty much stock, no plugins - command line for git and grep (Console2 or Git Bash) - File Explorer alongside Everything [0] for navigating files - Beyond Compare [1] for visual diff/merge - WinSCP/PuTTY for... - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • 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 / over 1 year 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 / over 1 year 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 / over 1 year ago
View more

Dual Monitor Taskbar mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Dual Monitor Taskbar yet. Tracking of Dual Monitor Taskbar recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Synergy and Dual Monitor Taskbar, you can also consider the following products

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

Ultramon - UltraMon is a piece of software built to help with the management of multiple screens on the same computer system. Without software like this, taking full advantage of an expanded desktop space can be difficult.

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

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

ShareMouse - With its easy setup and high level of versatility, ShareMouse is a great tool if you're looking to use a single mouse and keyboard across multiple computers.

Actual Multiple Monitors - Actual Multiple Monitors is a software utility which offers the comprehensive solution to improve the functionality of Windows user interface for comfortable and effective work with multi-monitor configurations.