# ShareCursor vs ShareMouse

> A free, open-source ShareMouse alternative to share mouse, keyboard, clipboard
> and files between Mac and Windows. Encrypted and designed for low input latency.

Want a **free, open-source ShareMouse alternative**? ShareCursor shares one mouse,
keyboard, clipboard and files across your Mac and Windows PC with no license key,
encryption on every channel and source code available under MIT or Apache-2.0.

Compared against the [official ShareMouse feature and licensing pages](https://www.sharemouse.com/)
on **August 22, 2026**.

| Feature | ShareCursor | ShareMouse |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free and open source** | Restricted freeware; paid editions available |
| Open source | Yes (MIT / Apache) | No |
| Mac & Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Easy auto-setup | mDNS discovery | Yes (auto-detect) |
| Clipboard (text + images) | Yes | Yes |
| File transfer | Yes | Yes (drag & drop) |
| Encryption | X25519 + ChaCha20-Poly1305 | AES |
| Input latency focus | **~6 µs transport (UDP)** | Good |
| Commercial use | **Free** | Requires paid license |

## Freeware and paid editions

ShareCursor has no paid tier and no distinction between personal and professional
use under its open-source licenses. ShareMouse offers a restricted freeware mode
for qualifying personal setups. Its official policy excludes professional use
and larger or more advanced display arrangements; paid editions unlock
commercial use and additional features.

Because licensing terms and product editions can change, verify the current
ShareMouse shop and freeware policy for the exact number of computers and
displays in your setup. ShareCursor's trade-off is different: no license cost,
but a younger pre-release project without commercial support.

## File transfer and daily workflow

ShareMouse's file drag and drop is a mature part of its product experience: users
can move a file between supported computers through the same desktop workflow.
ShareCursor transfers files over an encrypted reliable channel but does not claim
the same level of drag-and-drop polish. If file movement is the dominant task,
test both with the applications and file sizes you use every day.

Both products also synchronize clipboard content and allow control from either
Mac or Windows. ShareCursor adds an open protocol implementation and keeps input
traffic separate from reliable clipboard and file traffic.

## Security and network model

Both products work across a local network and support encrypted connections.
ShareCursor authenticates pairing with a shared secret, derives ephemeral keys
with X25519 and encrypts both channels using ChaCha20-Poly1305. ShareMouse
documents password protection and AES encryption. In either case, pair only
computers you trust because software KVM tools handle keyboard input and
clipboard contents.

## What the latency number means

ShareCursor's approximately 6 µs value is local loopback transport overhead, not
a full end-to-end comparison with ShareMouse. Capture, Wi-Fi or Ethernet,
operating-system scheduling, input injection and monitor refresh all affect
perceived latency. ShareCursor's architectural claim is narrower: mouse and
keyboard packets use a dedicated UDP channel so clipboard or file traffic cannot
block input.

## Which should you pick?

- **Choose ShareCursor** if you want open-source licensing for personal or
  professional use, encryption by default and a low-latency Mac-to-Windows
  design.
- **Choose ShareMouse** if you want its polished drag and drop and do not mind a
  paid license for professional or advanced use.

ShareMouse is the more established commercial product and has a polished file
drag-and-drop workflow. ShareCursor covers input, clipboard text and images, and
encrypted files while staying free and open source. ShareCursor is still
pre-release, so test it with your exact Mac, Windows version and monitor
arrangement before replacing a production setup.

## Moving from ShareMouse to ShareCursor

Install ShareCursor on both computers, pair them and reproduce the physical
display layout. Approve Accessibility and Input Monitoring on macOS and the
firewall prompt on Windows. There is no configuration import. Keep ShareMouse
available until mouse crossing, keyboard layouts, clipboard images and file
transfer have all been tested.

- [Download ShareCursor (free)](https://github.com/phun333/ShareCursor/releases)
- [Setup guide](https://sharecursor.com/how-to-share-mouse-keyboard-mac-windows.md)
- [Keyboard-and-mouse sharing alternatives](https://sharecursor.com/synergy-alternatives.md)