Deskflow
Open-source software for sharing one keyboard and mouse across multiple computers.
Recommended as a free, open-source alternative to Synergy123 for sharing a keyboard and mouse between Macs and PCs over LAN,45 with some preferring it to remote desktop.67 Reported caveats include no trackpad support,8 occasional crashes and no SteamOS support.9
Why people recommend it
Free Synergy alternative · 3
Commenters point to it as the free, open-source version of Synergy.
“these days i strongly prefer deskflow (oss version of synergy) for this sort of thing”
“If free is your bag instead of supporting the nominal cost:”
Show 1 more
“check out DeskFlow (oss)”
Cross-platform · 2
Used to share input between Macs and PCs.
“i use deskflow between two mac’s and a pc, but it doesn’t support trackpads.”
“Deskflow lets me use my Mac as a keyboard over LAN, too. Beats remote desktop for sure.”
Beats remote desktop · 2
Some prefer it over remote desktop, including for gaming.
“Deskflow lets me use my Mac as a keyboard over LAN, too. Beats remote desktop for sure.”
“these days i strongly prefer deskflow (oss version of synergy) for this sort of thing”
Caveats and dissent
No trackpad support · 1
One user reports it does not support trackpads.
“i use deskflow between two mac’s and a pc, but it doesn’t support trackpads.”
Occasional crashes · 1
A user says it occasionally crashes.
“use a piece of software called Deskflow to transmit my keyboard. But Deskflow occasionally crashes”
No SteamOS · 1
A user says it won't work if they install SteamOS.
“use a piece of software called Deskflow to transmit my keyboard. But Deskflow occasionally crashes”
No BIOS access · 2
Software sharing can't replace hardware for BIOS work or frequent reboots.
“use a piece of software called Deskflow to transmit my keyboard. But Deskflow occasionally crashes”
“these days i strongly prefer deskflow (oss version of synergy) for this sort of thing”
Often compared with
Who recommends it in their own words
Threads where it came up
- Magic Switch: Share Apple Magic keyboard/track-pad/mouse between two Macs 2 mentions
- Two computers, one monitor, zero fiddling – Alex Plescan 2 mentions
- JetKVM Mini 1 mention
- Web Server on a Nintendo Wii 1 mention
Data: deskflow.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 6
“i use deskflow between two mac’s and a pc, but it doesn’t support trackpads.”
“If free is your bag instead of supporting the nominal cost:”
“use a piece of software called Deskflow to transmit my keyboard. But Deskflow occasionally crashes”
“check out DeskFlow (oss)”
“these days i strongly prefer deskflow (oss version of synergy) for this sort of thing”
“Deskflow lets me use my Mac as a keyboard over LAN, too. Beats remote desktop for sure.”