Barrier AlternativesTop Mouse & Keyboard Sharing Utilities like Barrier

Barrier is described as 'Cross-platform software utility for sharing your mouse and keyboard between multiple computers on your desk. It was forked from Synergy version 1.9's codebase' and is a very popular Mouse Sharing utility in the os & utilities category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Barrier for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD and Flathub apps. The best Barrier alternative is Input Leap, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Barrier are Synergy, InputShare, Mouse without Borders and Input Director.

filter to find the best alternatives

Barrier alternatives are mainly Mouse Sharing Utilities, but if you're looking for Keyboard Sharing Utilities or Remote Desktop Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Barrier.
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Alternatives list

  1. Input Leap icon

    Input Leap

     30 likes
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    Input Leap is software that mimics the functionality of a KVM switch, which historically would allow you to use a single keyboard and mouse to control multiple computers by physically turning a dial on the box to switch the machine you're controlling at any given moment.

    19 Input Leap alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Input Leap screenshot 1
     
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    5
    8
    Comments about Input Leap as an Alternative to Barrier
    Top Positive Comment
    alteer8
    1

    Barrier is no longer developed, and Input Leap is an active project based on the same source code

    maboroshin
    Positive
    0

    Barrier has been stagnant since 2021. Developers moved to Input Leap.

    optotype
    0

    Neither really have a grip on security. #1204

    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Barrier Icon
    Input Leap icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Input Leap is a great Barrier alternative.

    • Input Leap is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Barrier.

    • Input Leap is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Barrier.

    • Input Leap is Free and Open SourceBarrier is also Free and Open Source
  2. Synergy icon

    Synergy

     335 likes
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    Synergy combines your desktop devices together in to one cohesive experience. It's software for sharing your mouse and keyboard between multiple computers on your desk. It works on Windows, macOS and Linux.

    19 Synergy alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Synergy 3 Alpha
     
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    1
    10
    Comments about Synergy as an Alternative to Barrier
    Ian Dorfman
    Positive
    2

    As Barrier is forked from earlier versions of Synergy, there is naturally a lot of feature set overlap. Whereas Barrier is focused on simplicity and ease of use, Synergy includes more robust features, including advanced settings for network, hotkeys, layout, security and diagnostics.

    Barrier Icon
    Synergy icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Synergy is a great Barrier alternative.

    • Synergy is the most popular commercial alternative to Barrier.

    • Synergy is Paid and ProprietaryBarrier is Free and Open Source
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    ShareMouse icon
    ShareMouse

    Seamlessly control multiple computers using one mouse and keyboard, switch between systems by moving the pointer, transmit input securely over LAN, share clipboard, support drag-and-drop files, and work across Windows or macOS wi...

    https://www.sharemouse.com
    Learn More
  6. Mouse without Borders icon

    Mouse without Borders

     132 likes
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    Control multiple PCs effortlessly with a single mouse and keyboard, drag-and-drop files between machines, and customize your screens with Bing images, all without extra gear.

    18 Mouse without Borders alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Mouse without Borders screenshot 1
     
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    1
    8
    Comments about Mouse without Borders as an Alternative to Barrier
    Ian Dorfman
    Positive
    1

    Viable as a Windows alternative to Barrier, though it is not supported on other platforms, nor is it open source. As it was developed by an employee of Microsoft and is available via the official Microsoft website, it may be easier to access in the face of Internet firewalls that block websites strictly.

    Additionally, it supports 32-bit versions of Windows, which Barrier does not.

    Barrier Icon
    Mouse without Borders icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Mouse without Borders is a great Barrier alternative.

    • Mouse without Borders is Free and ProprietaryBarrier is Free and Open Source
  7. Input Director icon

    Input Director

     81 likes
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    Input Director is a Windows application that lets you control multiple Windows systems using the keyboard/mouse attached to one computer. It is designed for folks who have two (or more) computers set up at home and find themselves regularly sliding from one system to the other.

    15 Input Director alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Input Director screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Comments about Input Director as an Alternative to Barrier
    misterrobato
    Positive
    1

    Very easy painless setup. It's free. No lagging, works.

    Wireball
    Positive
    0

    I've used Input Director for years on Windows computers, and its smoothness, clipboard sharing, and built-in encryption are second to none. It's also nice being able to copy a file between two computers via copy-paste (assuming Windows file sharing is set up). The only drawback is the lack of support for operating systems other than Windows.

    Barrier Icon
    Input Director icon
    • Input Director is Free Personal and ProprietaryBarrier is Free and Open Source
  8. Deskflow icon

    Deskflow

     9 likes
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    Deskflow is a free and open-source keyboard and mouse sharing app. Use the keyboard, mouse, or trackpad of one computer to control nearby computers, and work seamlessly between them. It's like a software KVM (but without the video). TLS encryption is enabled by default.

    11 Deskflow alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Deskflow screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Deskflow as an Alternative to Barrier
    maboroshin
    Positive
    0

    Barrier's predecessor is Synergy. Deskflow is an open source app that also includes Synergy developers. The previous repository name was Synergy-core. it's Synergy system.

    Barrier Icon
    Deskflow icon
    • Deskflow is Free and Open SourceBarrier is also Free and Open Source
    • Deskflow is Privacy focused and LightweightBarrier is not according to our users
  10. ShareMouse icon

    ShareMouse

     94 likes
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    Seamlessly control multiple computers using one mouse and keyboard, switch between systems by moving the pointer, transmit input securely over LAN, share clipboard, support drag-and-drop files, and work across Windows or macOS with no hardware required.

    15 ShareMouse alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    ShareMouse screenshot 1
     
  11. Multiplicity icon

    Multiplicity

     24 likes
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    Multiplicity offers a virtual KVM solution, managing several computers with one keyboard and mouse. Its remote modes enable cursor transition across monitors and centralized control. Users can transfer files, stream audio, and lock computers without extra hardware, suitable for command rooms, IT desks, and home users.

    22 Multiplicity alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Multiplicity screenshot 1
     
  12. Logitech Options icon

    Logitech Options

     11 likes
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    Customisation of Logitech mouse or keyboard settings, device information, additional functionality such as sharing input devices over multiple computers.

    12 Logitech Options alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Logitech Options screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Logitech Options as an Alternative to Barrier
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    i tried it without a logitech mouse it won't work at all. So it's quite limited to only a small portion of people who own the Branded Mice or Keyboards

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Barrier Icon
    Logitech Options icon
    • Logitech Options is Free and ProprietaryBarrier is Free and Open Source
  13. x2vnc (win2vnc) icon

    x2vnc (win2vnc)

     11 likes
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    This program will let you use two screens on two different computers as if they were connected to the same computer.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    x2vnc (win2vnc) screenshot 1
     
  14. Cursr icon

    Cursr

     7 likes
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    Cross-platform utility tool for seamless mouse, keyboard and clipboard sharing and usage in multi-display, single and multi-device setups.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Cursr running locally to map the edges of disparate monitors. This enables the pointer to move between screens anywhere along the edge - not just where the OS sees the screen edges meeting up.
     
  15. across icon

    across

     9 likes
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    1. Bluetooth Keyboard/Mouse Emulator: across makes a Bluetooth equipped PC or Mac work as a standard Bluetooth keyboard/mouse combo. Thus, you can seamlessly/wirelessly control all your smart devices including computer, smartphone and tablet PC with the computer’s keyboard and...
    172 across alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    across screenshot 1
    across screenshot 2
    across screenshot 3
     

    • across is the most popular Android alternative to Barrier.

    • across is Paid and ProprietaryBarrier is Free and Open Source
    • across is LightweightBarrier is not according to our users
12 of 19 Barrier alternatives