shareclick / vs Universal Control
ShareClick vs Universal Control
Apple's Universal Control lets one keyboard and mouse move across supported Macs and iPads, but it does not support Windows. ShareClick is a free, open-source Universal Control for Windows alternative for a Mac and Windows PC, with clipboard and file sharing over an encrypted local connection.
Apple platform support checked against the official Universal Control documentation on .
| Feature | ShareClick | Universal Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free & open source | Free (built into macOS) |
| Works with Windows | Yes | No (Apple devices only) |
| Mac ↔ Windows | Yes | No |
| Mac / iPad workflow | Mac + Windows computers | Supported Apple devices |
| Clipboard (text + images) | Yes | Yes |
| File transfer | Yes (any pair) | Drag & drop (Apple only) |
| Setup | Shared passphrase + screen edges | Same Apple ID / iCloud |
| Open source | Yes (MIT/Apache) | No |
| Security model | X25519 + ChaCha20-Poly1305 | Managed by Apple platforms |
why Universal Control does not work with Windows
Universal Control is an operating-system feature tied to supported Apple devices, the same Apple Account, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Handoff requirements. Apple does not provide a Windows client. Installing iCloud for Windows does not add Universal Control.
A cross-platform software KVM solves a similar interaction problem at the network level. ShareClick runs on both computers, captures input on the active machine and sends it to the paired machine when the pointer crosses a configured display edge.
setup and account requirements
Universal Control is nearly invisible when the Apple prerequisites are already in place: the devices use the same Apple Account and Apple configures the connection. ShareClick does not require an Apple Account, Microsoft account or ShareClick cloud account. The computers pair on the LAN, exchange their monitor arrangement and authenticate the encrypted connection.
ShareClick requires installation and operating-system permissions on both machines. On macOS that includes Accessibility and Input Monitoring; Windows may request a firewall rule. This is more setup than a built-in Apple feature, but it crosses the platform boundary.
clipboard and file movement
Both approaches let users move work between screens, but compatibility differs. ShareClick synchronizes clipboard text and images between Mac and Windows and transfers files over a reliable encrypted channel. Universal Control supports Apple workflows between compatible apps and devices. Neither product streams the display: each device continues using its own screen.
which should you pick?
Choose ShareClick if one of your machines is a Windows PC — Universal Control simply doesn't support Windows. It's the practical "Universal Control for Windows".
Choose Universal Control if you only ever move between Apple devices (Mac and iPad) on the same Apple ID.
Universal Control is the better fit inside a supported all-Apple setup because it is built into the operating system. ShareClick addresses the missing Mac-to-Windows case with clipboard sync, file transfer, encryption on every channel and a dedicated UDP input path. ShareClick is pre-release software, so test permissions, keyboard layout and display arrangement on the exact machines you plan to use.
See the Mac and Windows setup guide or compare additional software KVM options.