DeskJoin Control
A focused desk with a Windows PC and devices placed to its left or right.
← DeskJoin Control
Software KVM comparison
DeskJoin Control, ShareMouse, Synergy, and Deskflow
All four let one keyboard and mouse work across computers with their own displays. The important differences are platform support, setup depth, clipboard features, security, and price.
| Difference | DeskJoin Control | ShareMouse | Synergy | Deskflow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows 10+ and macOS 11+ | Windows 10/11 and supported macOS versions | Windows, macOS, and Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, and BSD-family systems |
| Switching | Move through a configured left or right screen edge. | Move between computers; monitor positions can be detected and configured. | Move the pointer through configured screen edges. | Move through a configured screen layout using a server/client model. |
| Special hardware | No brand-specific peripheral required. | No brand-specific peripheral required. | No brand-specific peripheral required. | No brand-specific peripheral required. |
| Clipboard and files | Not part of the current Control scope; DeskJoin Clipboard is a separate app. | Text, images, files, folders, and drag-and-drop transfers. | Text and image clipboard sharing. | Clipboard sharing is supported. |
| Network security | TLS 1.2 encrypted connections with device pairing. | Optional password protection and AES encryption. | TLS/SSL network encryption in editions that include it. | TLS encryption is enabled by default. |
| Availability | Windows 1.2 and macOS 1.2 available. | Free personal-use edition plus paid editions. | Paid, one-time personal licenses with multiple tiers. | Free and open source. |
Competitor information reviewed September 2026. Features, compatibility, and prices can change.
Which one fits?
Choose for the desk you actually use.
ShareMouse
A polished Windows-and-Mac setup needing richer multi-monitor and data-sharing features.
Synergy
Multi-computer or mixed-OS desks that need Linux support and advanced configuration.
Deskflow
Technical users who want an open-source, configurable, multi-platform tool.
A clear distinction
Control is not remote desktop.
These products send keyboard and mouse input to another computer that already has its own display. They do not stream that computer's screen or replace a monitor. Read how a software KVM differs from a hardware KVM, or see DeskJoin Screen for screen extension and mirroring.