Lan Mouse
A cross-platform, open-source software KVM switch for sharing a single mouse and keyboard across multiple PCs on a local network.
What is Lan Mouse?
Lan Mouse is an open-source software KVM switch that allows a single mouse and keyboard to control multiple computers connected on a local area network (LAN). It solves the problem of managing multiple machines without physical hardware switches, providing a seamless cross-platform experience akin to proprietary solutions.
Developers, IT professionals, and power users who work with multiple computers on their desk and want a free, self-hosted tool to streamline their workflow.
Developers choose Lan Mouse for its high performance due to being written in Rust, its strong cross-platform support, and its commitment to being a fully open-source and encryptable alternative to commercial software like Synergy.
Overview
mouse & keyboard sharing via LAN
Use Cases
Best For
- Controlling a Linux desktop and a Windows PC from a single keyboard/mouse
- Setting up a multi-machine development environment without hardware KVMs
- Sharing inputs between a macOS host and a Linux virtual machine
- Creating a seamless workflow across a desktop and a home server
- Replacing proprietary software like Synergy with an open-source solution
- Managing multiple computers in a lab or studio setup over LAN
Not Ideal For
- Users who need full bidirectional control on X11-based systems
- Environments with Windows machines lacking a physical mouse attached
- Teams requiring immediate, stable mobile device integration for production use
Pros & Cons
Pros
Supports Linux (GNOME, KDE, wlroots), Windows, and macOS with automatic backend selection, as detailed in the OS Support section.
Uses DTLS encryption via WebRTC.rs for all network traffic, ensuring security without relying on proprietary protocols.
Built in Rust for low latency and efficiency, with the project emphasizing speed and maintainability.
Offers a GTK graphical frontend, command-line interface, and daemon mode, catering to different user workflows and automation needs.
Allows automatic client connections via TOML config files and customizable hotkeys, enabling seamless startup integration.
Cons
X11 only supports input emulation on the receiving end, not capture, restricting its use in X11-dominated setups.
Known issues like invisible mouse cursor on Windows without a physical mouse and modifier key problems on Sway without libei support require workarounds.
Clipboard sharing is listed on the roadmap but not yet implemented, a standard feature in comparable tools like Synergy.
Installing on Windows necessitates building GTK from source or disabling the frontend, adding significant setup time compared to other platforms.
Open Source Alternative To
Lan Mouse is an open-source alternative to the following products:
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
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