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Productivity Utilities
Deskflow
WindowsmacOSLinux
Platform information checked 2026-10-22. Deskflow is free GPL-2.0 desktop software with a documented OpenSSL linking exception and separately marked component licenses. No paid license, account or hosted relay is required for ordinary local-network input sharing; computers, their displays and the network are your own resources. TLS is enabled by default and clipboard sharing is supported, so connect only devices you trust. It replaces local mouse/keyboard sharing tasks found in paid Synergy editions. It does not transmit display video, and the provider says Deskflow interoperates with Synergy 1 rather than Synergy 3. Wayland features and permissions vary by desktop environment.
Share one keyboard, mouse and clipboard across nearby Windows, macOS and Linux computers over a local network, without video sharing.
Free keyboard and mouse sharing
Deskflow is free GPL-2.0 desktop software with a documented OpenSSL linking exception and separately marked component licenses. No paid license, account or hosted relay is required for ordinary local-network input sharing; computers, their displays and the network are your own resources. TLS is enabled by default and clipboard sharing is supported, so connect only devices you trust. It replaces local mouse/keyboard sharing tasks found in paid Synergy editions. It does not transmit display video, and the provider says Deskflow interoperates with Synergy 1 rather than Synergy 3. Wayland features and permissions vary by desktop environment.
DeskflowProduct logo · See the interface on the official website
Deskflow · product logoLogo: Deskflow Developers · GPL-2.0-only · Original image; layout scaled to fit. Unchanged provider project icon, explicitly licensed by REUSE.toml; no affiliation or endorsement is implied. Full notice.
About Deskflow
Share one keyboard, mouse and clipboard across nearby Windows, macOS and Linux computers over a local network, without video sharing. Visit the project website to check the currently available deployment options.
Release status
Official releases and installation documentation reviewed. AltStack did not install or execute the application.
Install on your computer · Instructions checked 2026-10-22
Open the official Deskflow 1.27.0 release and select the package for each computer. Current documented requirements include Windows 10 version 1809+, macOS 13+ for Apple Silicon CI builds or macOS 12+ for Intel/local builds. Linux native builds require libei 1.3+, libportal 0.8+ and Qt 6.7+; use the provider-linked Flatpak route if your native packages do not meet them.
Install the matching package on each computer. Windows also needs the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable linked by the README. On macOS the provider recommends its Homebrew tap: brew tap deskflow/tap followed by brew install deskflow for the stable package. Direct macOS release downloads are not notarized; review the provider’s instructions before deciding whether to open them.
Connect the computers to the same trusted local network. Use the computer with the keyboard and mouse as the server and the other computer as a client. Configure the client with the server’s host name or local IP address and arrange the screens to match your physical desk.
Keep TLS enabled and verify the devices before accepting a connection. On macOS grant the documented Accessibility permission to both Deskflow and the deskflow process; current macOS versions can also require Local Network permission. Review firewall and desktop-portal prompts on the relevant operating system.
Test pointer movement, typing and clipboard behavior using harmless text. Each computer still needs its own screen because Deskflow does not stream video. For Wayland limitations or connection problems, use the current project wiki and known-issues discussion rather than disabling transport security.
Provider-documentation review only; no candidate code, application, installer, downloaded model or plugin was executed.
Search, edit and reuse a local clipboard history with optional tabs and automation.
CopyQ is GPL-3.0-or-later desktop software with free official packages and no required subscription. Clipboard history is stored unencrypted by default unless its encryption feature is enabled. Built-in recognized secret markers are ignored by default, but this is not a guarantee that every application marks secrets correctly. It does not provide Paste’s iCloud/iPhone workflow or a password vault.
Record habits and inspect progress on an Android phone.
Loop is free GPL-3.0-or-later Android software. The provider states there are no in-app purchases or artificial habit limits, and all features are available to every user. No account or hosted service is required. It replaces local habit schedules, reminders and progress charts, rather than Habitify’s cross-platform account sync, location reminders or paid integrations. Data stays local in the app; Android’s own backup settings can separately copy device data to Google. Keep your own exports before switching devices.
Create useful physical-key shortcuts on an Android device.
The reviewed GPL-3.0 FOSS edition has a usable free core for physical-key remapping and actions. The provider explicitly offers certain advanced triggers and special features as paid add-ons; do not label the entire product feature set free. F-Droid also flags promotion of the paid Play version. This selection covers the available FOSS package, not a paid extension or every Button Mapper Pro feature. Some actions need accessibility, keyboard, Shizuku, ADB or root support and can depend on Android version and device hardware; basic remapping does not require buying a server or API.
Keep events, recurring reminders and calendar widgets on your Android phone.
The F-Droid calendar is free and works without a Fossify account or a Fossify sync subscription. The separate paid Thank You app funds Fossify and adds customization/shared settings to supported apps. Calendar synchronization uses accounts or calendar providers already configured on the device; Fossify does not run a sync service. Those services can have their own costs. This replaces event planning, reminders and calendar views rather than every Business Calendar 2 Pro feature.
Handle calculations and common unit conversions in one Android app.
The provider describes Unitto as free, with no ads, in-app purchases or analytics. Ordinary calculations and unit conversion run locally; currency conversion needs Internet access. The GPL-3.0 source and usable F-Droid edition are available. The browser version is alpha, has limited language/theming support and loses user data on reload. This is a calculator/converter alternative for part of a WolframAlpha workflow; it does not include WolframAlpha’s knowledge database, cloud symbolic engine or every guided Pro solution. The alpha web build includes additional GPL-2.0 and MIT components with separate provider notices; the Android edition is the free app reviewed here.
