Our verdict: Deskflow is a free software KVM without the video: move the mouse off the edge of one screen and it controls the next computer. It works across Windows, macOS and Linux, encrypts traffic by default and shares the clipboard. Setup needs a few network details, and it must be installed on every machine.
About Deskflow
Deskflow is an open-source keyboard and mouse sharing app. One computer acts as the server with the physical keyboard and mouse; the others connect as clients. You arrange the screens in a grid, and the cursor moves to the next computer when it reaches the shared edge. The clipboard follows you between machines.
TLS encryption is turned on by default, and Wayland is supported on Linux. Deskflow is the upstream project that the commercial Synergy app is built on. On Windows it needs the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, which the developers link from their download page.
What it does well
- Cross-platform sharing. Control Windows, macOS and Linux computers with one keyboard and mouse.
- Screen layout. Arrange client screens around the server so the cursor crosses the right edges.
- Clipboard sharing. Copy on one computer and paste on another.
- TLS encryption. Traffic between computers is encrypted by default.
- Portable build. Besides the MSI installer, a portable ZIP is published for Windows x64 and ARM64.
Who it is for
Good fit
People with a desktop and a laptop, or several PCs on one desk, who want one keyboard and mouse for all.
Look elsewhere
Sharing a screen or video; it moves only input and the clipboard, not the display.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free and open source
- Works across Windows, macOS and Linux
- Encrypted by default
- Clipboard sharing included
Cons
- Needs the Visual C++ Redistributable on Windows
- Must be installed and configured on every computer
- Unsigned macOS app needs a manual quarantine fix
How to install Deskflow
The button downloads the x64 MSI from GitHub. Install the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (vc_redist.x64.exe) first. Install Deskflow on every computer, set the one with the keyboard and mouse as server, add the other screens in its layout, and enter the server address on each client. Allow Deskflow through the firewall when Windows asks.
Questions about Deskflow
Is Deskflow free?
Yes. Deskflow is free and open source under the GNU GPL v2.
What is the difference between Deskflow and Synergy?
Deskflow is the free open-source upstream project. Synergy is a paid commercial product built on Deskflow's code.
Does Deskflow share files or the screen?
It shares the keyboard, mouse and clipboard. It does not stream the screen.
