EasySwitchSoftware KVM
One keyboard and mouse for every computer — no KVM switch.
A software KVM shares one keyboard and mouse across several computers over your own network — no switch box, no cables. Slide the cursor off one screen onto the next machine; the clipboard and files come with it. Here's how the main options compare, and where EasySwitch fits.
The short version
EasySwitch is a free, cross-platform software KVM for Windows, macOS and Linux. It's end-to-end encrypted on every tier (including free), moves the clipboard, images and files between machines, and even lets a phone or browser control a computer. Free for two computers; a one-time purchase adds more machines and lifts the file-size limit — no subscription.
Software KVM compared
| Capability | EasySwitch | Synergy | Barrier / Input Leap | Deskflow | Mouse Without Borders | Logitech Flow | ShareMouse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows, macOS & Linux | Yes all three | Yes all three | Yes all three | Yes all three | No Windows only | Partial Windows & macOS | Partial Windows & macOS |
| Use another computer as a second monitor | Yes Pro | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Same-OS pairs (two PCs, two Macs) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial two Windows PCs only | Partial no Linux | Partial no Linux |
| Works with any keyboard & mouse | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No needs Logitech hardware | Yes |
| End-to-end encrypted — free tier too | Yes Noise, every tier | Partial paid versions | Partial optional TLS | Partial optional TLS | No not E2E | Partial not documented as E2E | Partial paid |
| Clipboard: text, images & files | Yes | Partial text | Partial text only | Partial text only | Yes text & files | Yes text & files | Yes |
| File transfer & drag-and-drop | Yes up to 10 MB free, unlimited on Pro | Partial newer versions | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes paid |
| Control from a phone or browser | Yes web bridge | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Free tier | Yes 2 computers | No trial only | Yes open source | Yes open source | Yes | Yes with Logitech hardware | Partial non-commercial |
| One-time price (no subscription) | Yes | Partial tiers vary | Yes free | Yes free | Yes free | Yes free | Partial paid Pro |
✓ yes · ~ partial or paid · — no. Competitor details as of 2026 — check each product's site for current terms.
Head-to-head comparisons
Common questions
What is software KVM (KVM software)?
A software KVM lets one keyboard and mouse control several computers over your network, with no KVM switch box or cables. You move the cursor off the edge of one screen and it appears on the next machine, and the clipboard follows. Unlike a hardware KVM, each computer keeps using its own monitor. EasySwitch, Synergy, Barrier, Mouse Without Borders and Logitech Flow are all software KVMs.
What is the best free KVM software?
For Windows-only setups, Mouse Without Borders (from Microsoft) and Barrier are free. For a free tool that also spans macOS and Linux, is end-to-end encrypted, and transfers files, EasySwitch is free for two computers with a one-time upgrade for more. Barrier and Input Leap are the strongest fully open-source options but do text clipboard only, with no file transfer.
Is software KVM the same as a KVM hypervisor or virtual machine?
No — they share the letters KVM but are unrelated. A KVM hypervisor (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) runs virtual machines on Linux. A software KVM in this sense means Keyboard, Video, Mouse — sharing one keyboard and mouse across physical computers. EasySwitch is the second kind; it does not run virtual machines.
Does software KVM work between two computers running the same OS?
Yes. Two Windows PCs, two Macs or two Linux machines all work — same-OS pairs are the most common setup. EasySwitch links any two computers on the same network whether their operating systems match or differ.
Is a software KVM as good as a hardware KVM switch?
For a multi-computer, multi-monitor desk it's usually better: no box, no cables and no button to press, and the clipboard and files travel with the cursor — something a KVM cable can't do. A hardware KVM still wins when you want several computers to share one physical monitor, keyboard and mouse.
Try it on your own desk
Free for two computers, forever. Nothing to sign up for.