Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Synergy VS GitLab

Compare Synergy VS GitLab and see what are their differences

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.

Synergy logo Synergy

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

GitLab logo GitLab

Create, review and deploy code together with GitLab open source git repo management software | GitLab
  • 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 โ€” 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.

  • GitLab Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-17

Synergy

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
Release Date
2001 May

GitLab

$ Details
-
Release Date
2014 January
Startup details
Country
United States
State
California
Founder(s)
Dmitriy Zaporozhets
Employees
1,000 - 1,999

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.

GitLab features and specs

  • Integrated DevOps Platform
    GitLab provides a single application for the entire DevOps lifecycle, which simplifies the workflow and reduces the need for multiple tools.
  • CI/CD Capabilities
    It offers powerful Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) features, enabling automated testing and deployment.
  • Self-Hosted and SaaS Options
    GitLab can be hosted on your own servers or used as a cloud-hosted service, providing flexibility depending on your needs.
  • Strong Security Features
    GitLab includes various security features such as code quality analysis, vulnerability management, and compliance management.
  • Robust Community and Support
    There is a large community and extensive documentation available, along with professional support options.

Possible disadvantages of GitLab

  • Complexity for New Users
    The extensive features and functionalities can be overwhelming for newcomers, requiring a steep learning curve.
  • Resource Intensive
    Self-hosting a GitLab instance requires substantial server resources, which can be costly.
  • Price
    While there is a free tier, the advanced features are part of the paid plans, which can be expensive for small teams or startups.
  • User Interface
    Some users find the interface less intuitive and harder to navigate compared to other platforms like GitHub.
  • Performance Issues
    Large repositories or high usage can sometimes lead to performance issues, especially on self-hosted instances.

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.

Analysis of GitLab

Overall verdict

  • Yes, GitLab is generally considered a good platform, especially for teams looking for an integrated set of tools for software development and DevOps. Its features and flexibility make it a strong choice for many organizations.

Why this product is good

  • GitLab is a popular DevOps platform that provides a comprehensive suite of tools for software development, including version control, issue tracking, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), and more. It is valued for its open-source model, strong security features, user-friendly interface, and a wide range of integrations. GitLab's all-in-one approach allows teams to manage their entire DevOps lifecycle from a single application, which can help improve collaboration and efficiency.

Recommended for

    GitLab is well-suited for developers, DevOps engineers, project managers, and teams that require robust CI/CD capabilities, strong security features, and an open-source platform that can be self-hosted or used as a cloud service. It is particularly beneficial for organizations looking for a comprehensive solution to streamline their development workflows.

Synergy videos

Review - Synergy by Symless - Multi Machine Network Control Software

More videos:

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

GitLab videos

Introduction to GitLab Workflow

More videos:

  • Review - GitLab Review App Working Session

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Synergy and GitLab)
Mouse Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Code Collaboration
0 0%
100% 100
Remote PC Access
100 100%
0% 0
Git
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Synergy and GitLab. 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 Synergy and GitLab

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. Whatโ€™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, youโ€™ll need the systems to run on...

GitLab Reviews

  1. Reinhard
    ยท Boss at CLOUD Meister ยท
    perfect for Freelancers!

The Top 11 Static Application Security Testing (SAST) Tools
GitLabโ€™s in-context testing solution simplifies the development process by automating both application and infrastructure management on a single platform.Why We Picked GitLab: We like GitLabโ€™s automation of testing and compliance across development workflows. Its in-context testing minimizes license costs and reduces the learning curve.
The Top 10 GitHub Alternatives
GitLab is a web-based DevSecOps (take that, Call of Duty) platform that allows software development teams to plan, build, and ship secure code all in one application. GitLab offers a range of features and tools to support the entire software development lifecycle, from project planning and source code management to continuous integration, delivery, and deployment.
The Best Alternatives to Jenkins for Developers
CI/CD GitLab, as a complete DevOps platform, provides an integrated CI/CD solution along with its other features. If your team is already using GitLab for controlling versions and managing projects, the addition of GitLab CI/CD can be very smooth. The offering in CI/CD by GitLab is quite customizable and it backs up many programming languages as well as application test...
Source: morninglif.com
Top 7 GitHub Alternatives You Should Know (2024)
Most of the listed alternatives offer free tier plans for individuals or small teams. Tools like GitLab and Bitbucket allow users to host unlimited repositories without cost.
Source: snappify.com
Best GitHub Alternatives for Developers in 2023
While GitLab features an extensive set of capabilities, this can also serve as a weakness since beginners may find the developer tool overwhelming to begin with. The user interface compounds this issue by being outdated and unintuitive. GitLab could benefit from more third-party integrations, and its performance tends to struggle when dealing with large repositories or CI/CD...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Synergy should be more popular than GitLab. It has been mentiond 284 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 (284)

  • Two computers, one monitor, zero fiddling โ€“ Alex Plescan
    I did something similar last year with a monitor without built-in KVM but with good DCC support (Ultrasharp U3417W) and Synergy [0]. I use Synergy as part of my desk setup already, but needed a way to view the UI of a normally headless machine. The solution I built was a small shell script that terminated the active Synergy session and started a new one with a different config file (so keyboard/mouse input would... - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • 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 / over 1 year 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 / over 1 year 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 2 years ago
  • Hrvach/Deskhop: Fast Desktop Switching Device
    Iโ€™ve been using a software solution for this for over a decade. Itโ€™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 2 years ago
View more

GitLab mentions (144)

  • Git and Unity: A Comprehensive Guide to Version Control for Game Devs
    We use GitHub here as an example, but there are also other hosts you could explore like GitLab and BitBucket. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Proudly Found Elsewhere
    Expertise. The SaaS provider is declaring: "I am good at XYZ; I can deliver it better than any of my competitors, and I constantly work to improve how I deliver it." Who do you think can better run GitLab, your already overworked Operations team, or GitLab itself? - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • What Is Static Code Analysis and How Does It Work
    Integration Capabilities: How easily does it plug into your daily workflow? Look for deep integrations with your IDE, source control (like GitHub or GitLab), and especially your CI/CD pipeline. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Navigating the NVIDIA Tech Ecosystem
    Connect your GitLab account for seamless version control. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Web Check CI: Catch Browser Compatibility Issues Before They Break Production
    Web Check CI stands out because it is the first CI/CD module of its kind available for GitLab! It's built on Google's Baseline initiative, the new standard for web platform compatibility. Instead of guessing which features are safe to use, developers get authoritative answers based on real browser support data. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Synergy and GitLab, you can also consider the following products

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

GitHub - Originally founded as a project to simplify sharing code, GitHub has grown into an application used by over a million people to store over two million code repositories, making GitHub the largest code host in the world.

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

BitBucket - Bitbucket is a free code hosting site for Mercurial and Git. Manage your development with a hosted wiki, issue tracker and source code.

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

CircleCI - CircleCI gives web developers powerful Continuous Integration and Deployment with easy setup and maintenance.