shareclick / vs Barrier
ShareClick vs Barrier
Barrier was a widely used open-source software KVM, but its official release page says it is no longer maintained and no longer receives improvements or security fixes. ShareClick is a separate, actively developed alternative for encrypted Mac-to-Windows input, clipboard and file sharing.
Status checked against the official Barrier release page on .
| Feature | ShareClick | Barrier |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free & open source | Free & open source |
| Project status | Active, pre-release | Unmaintained |
| Encryption | On by default (X25519 + ChaCha20) | SSL support |
| Clipboard | Text + images | Supported |
| File transfer | Yes | No |
| Auto discovery | mDNS (no IPs) | Manual IP setup |
| Input transport | UDP, ~6 µs | TCP |
| Mac & Windows | Yes | Yes |
why maintenance status matters
A software KVM captures keyboard and mouse input and may read sensitive clipboard content. An unmaintained build can continue working, but users should not expect compatibility fixes for new macOS or Windows releases or patches for newly reported security issues. Barrier's own release page directs users toward Input Leap; the Input Leap repository was later archived in July 2026.
Existing Barrier users do not need to panic or uninstall a working setup immediately. For a new installation, however, maintenance status should be part of the decision alongside platform support and features.
feature and architecture differences
Barrier follows the classic Synergy client/server model and supports macOS, Windows and Linux. ShareClick currently focuses on macOS and Windows and is still pre-release. ShareClick separates low-latency UDP input from reliable clipboard and file traffic, encrypts both channels and uses mDNS for discovery.
Barrier remains broader for older Linux setups. ShareClick adds clipboard images and a dedicated file-transfer path, but it does not yet replace Barrier for users who require Linux. Deskflow is another maintained open-source option worth evaluating for that use case.
the short version
Barrier is unmaintained. ShareClick provides the same basic one-keyboard-and-mouse workflow for Mac and Windows, with active development, encryption on every channel, file transfer, clipboard images and mDNS discovery.
moving from Barrier to ShareClick
ShareClick cannot import a Barrier configuration because the applications use different protocols and layout formats. Install ShareClick on both computers, pair them and recreate the physical screen arrangement. Approve macOS Accessibility and Input Monitoring and allow the Windows firewall rule before testing keyboard, clipboard and file transfer.
Keep Barrier installed until the new setup works with your keyboard layout and monitor arrangement. If Linux is part of the desk, compare Deskflow and Lan Mouse before choosing a replacement. The broader Synergy alternatives guide covers those options.