Software Alternatives & Startups

VS Code VS Input Director

Compare VS Code VS Input Director and see what are their differences

VS Code

Build and debug modern web and cloud applications, by Microsoft

VS Code Landing page
Rating
5.0 · 1 review
Pricing
Open source
Input Director

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

Input Director Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
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, VS Code seems to be a lot more popular than Input Director. While we know about 1216 links to VS Code, we've tracked only 6 mentions of Input Director.

social mentions
1,216 vs 6
Text Editors popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 61

Base details

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

VS Code
Input Director
Website code.visualstudio.com inputdirector.com
Pricing
Open source
Company Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

VS Code 8 features
Input Director 5 features
  • Cross-platform
    VS Code works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a consistent development experience across different operating systems.
  • Extensibility
    A vast library of extensions allows users to add functionalities like debuggers, linters, and themes, making it highly customizable.
  • Integrated Git
    Built-in Git integration makes it easy to manage version control tasks directly within the editor.
  • Performance
    Lightweight compared to full-fledged IDEs, ensuring good performance even on systems with limited resources.
  • IntelliSense
    Advanced code completion and refactoring tools help improve coding efficiency and reduce errors.
  • Community Support
    A strong and active community provides extensive support, tutorials, and third-party extensions.
  • Debugging
    Robust debugging tools for various languages and frameworks are available out of the box.
  • Free and Open-Source
    VS Code is completely free to use and open-source, which is beneficial for both individual developers and organizations.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited IDE Features
    While extensible, it may lack some advanced features found in dedicated IDEs out of the box.
  • Extension Management
    Managing and configuring a large number of extensions can become cumbersome and sometimes lead to performance issues.
  • Learning Curve
    Although user-friendly, it has a steeper learning curve for beginners due to its numerous features and customization options.
  • Memory Usage
    Despite being lightweight, it can consume a significant amount of memory when multiple extensions are installed.
  • Update Frequency
    Frequent updates may sometimes introduce bugs or require users to adapt to new changes quickly.
  • Internet Dependency
    Some features and extensions may require an internet connection to function optimally.
  • Telemetry
    By default, VS Code collects usage data, which might be a concern for users sensitive about data privacy. However, this can be disabled.
  • 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.

Analysis

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

VS Code
Input Director

Overall verdict

  • Yes, VS Code is generally considered a good choice for developers due to its flexibility, efficiency, and strong community support. It is lightweight, fast, and user-friendly, catering to both novice and experienced developers.

Why this product is good

  • VS Code, developed by Microsoft, is a widely popular and versatile code editor. It offers a robust extension ecosystem, which allows developers to customize their workflow and coding environment extensively. Additionally, VS Code supports numerous programming languages right out of the box and provides features like IntelliSense, debugging, Git integration, and a built-in terminal, making it a powerful tool for developers.

Recommended for

  • Web developers looking for a comprehensive yet lightweight coding environment.
  • Software developers who need an editor with extensive language support and customization options.
  • Beginner programmers who would benefit from a feature-rich editor that can grow with their skills.
  • Developers interested in an open-source tool with continuous updates and community-driven enhancements.

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.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

VS Code 2 videos + Add
Input Director 3 videos + Add

My New Favorite Text Editor - Visual Studio Code

More videos

  • Review - 7 reasons why I switched to Visual Studio Code from Sublime Text

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

More videos

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

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
VS Code
Input Director
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
IDE
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using VS Code and Input Director. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

VS Code 5.0 · 1 review
Input Director no reviews yet

View more

Social recommendations and mentions

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

VS Code 1216 mentions
Input Director 6 mentions
  • Introducing MonoLisa for Visual Studio Code
    While Visual Studio Code supports OpenType features for its code editor well, configuring those features can be complex as it relies on understanding related CSS syntax. On top of this, additional configuration may be required. Because... - Source: dev.to / 12 days ago
  • History of JavaScript: Browser wars, ECMAScript, Node.js, TypeScript, and React
    Visual Studio Code, a code editor created by Microsoft, was first introduced on April 29, 2015, at the Build conference. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • How to Get Your First Tool Online
    The step up from there is an editor with a built-in agent like Cursor, Google Antigravity, Windsurf, or VS Code with a coding extension. These are code editors with an AI agent living inside them, and the difference is the responsible... - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago

View more

  • 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: almost 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: about 4 years ago

View more

Alternatives to VS Code and Input Director

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