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, Mouse without Borders, Deskflow and Input Director.

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Alternatives list

  1. Input Leap icon

    Input Leap

     34 likes

    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.

    22 Input Leap alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Input Leap screenshot 1
     
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    5
    Discontinued

    The latest version (3.0.3) was released in June 2025, and the GitHub repository has been archived.

    Input Leap vs Barrier Comments
    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

    3 of 5 comments
    • Input Leap is Free and Open SourceBarrier is also Free and Open Source
  2. Synergy icon

    Synergy

     337 likes

    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.

    22 Synergy alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Synergy 3 Alpha
     
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    1
    Synergy vs Barrier Comments
    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.

    • Synergy is Paid and ProprietaryBarrier is Free and Open Source
  4. Mouse without Borders icon

    Mouse without Borders

     133 likes

    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.

    21 Mouse without Borders alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Mouse without Borders screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Mouse without Borders vs Barrier Comments
    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.

    • Mouse without Borders is Free and ProprietaryBarrier is Free and Open Source
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Multiplicity icon
    Multiplicity

    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 lo...

    https://www.stardock.com
    Learn More
  6. Deskflow icon

    Deskflow

     12 likes

    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.

    16 Deskflow alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Deskflow screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Deskflow vs Barrier Comments
    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.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    maintained fork, sponsored by synergy. https://github.com/deskflow/deskflow/wiki/Relationship-with-Synergy

    • Deskflow is Free and Open SourceBarrier is also Free and Open Source
    • Deskflow is Privacy focused and LightweightBarrier is not according to our users
  8. Input Director icon

    Input Director

     81 likes

    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.

    17 Input Director alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Input Director screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Input Director vs Barrier Comments
    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.

    • Input Director is Free Personal and ProprietaryBarrier is Free and Open Source
  9. Multiplicity icon

    Multiplicity

     26 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Multiplicity screenshot 1
     
  11. ShareMouse icon

    ShareMouse

     94 likes

    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.

    18 ShareMouse alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    ShareMouse screenshot 1
     
  12. Logitech Options icon

    Logitech Options

     11 likes

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

    18 Logitech Options alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Logitech Options screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Logitech Options vs Barrier Comments
    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

    • Logitech Options is Free and ProprietaryBarrier is Free and Open Source
  13. x2vnc (win2vnc) icon

    x2vnc (win2vnc)

     11 likes

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

    16 x2vnc (win2vnc) alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

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

    across

     9 likes
    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...
    180 across alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    across screenshot 1
     
  15. Cursr icon

    Cursr

     7 likes

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

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • 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.
     
12 of 21 Barrier alternatives