Software Alternatives & Reviews

ZoneScreen VS Synergy

Compare ZoneScreen VS Synergy and see what are their differences

ZoneScreen logo ZoneScreen

ZoneScreen is able to mirror local desktop to another computer in the network.

Synergy logo Synergy

Cross-platform software for sharing your mouse and keyboard between multiple computers
  • ZoneScreen Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-06-17
  • 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.

ZoneScreen videos

ZoneScreen Demo

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 ZoneScreen and Synergy)
Remote Desktop
13 13%
87% 87
Mouse Tools
2 2%
98% 98
Multi Monitor
7 7%
93% 93
Remote PC Access
6 6%
94% 94

User comments

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Reviews

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

ZoneScreen Reviews

Top spacedesk Alternatives & Similar Software (2020)
ZoneScreen is a tool that allows you to extend your desktop workspace and it’s able to mirror your local desktop to another computer in the same network. It works through a network connection between computers connected either by cross-over cables or 1394 firewire cable or other devices. In case of Pocket PCs, ActiveSync connections may be used.

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.

ZoneScreen mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of ZoneScreen yet. Tracking of ZoneScreen 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 ZoneScreen and Synergy, you can also consider the following products

Multiplicity - Multiplicity enables a user to control multiple computers with one keyboard and mouse.

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

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

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

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.

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