Hydra is a cross-platform software KVM that lets you control multiple computers with a single keyboard and mouse.
Moving the pointer beyond the edge of one screen transfers control seamlessly to a neighbouring machine.
The software supports Linux, macOS and Windows systems, with flexible multi-monitor layouts and encrypted communication. Its Styx relay can connect computers on separate networks, behind NAT or across VPN connections without requiring direct local connectivity.
Hydra forwards keyboard input as resolved Unicode characters, helping avoid problems when connected computers use different keyboard layouts. It can also synchronize clipboards, forward media keys and operate a headless Linux system such as a Raspberry Pi as a dedicated input forwarder.
Linux desktop support currently requires X11 with XInput2. Wayland is not yet supported.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Shares a keyboard and mouse between Linux, macOS and Windows systems.
- Provides seamless cursor movement between neighbouring screens.
- Supports multiple local and remote monitors.
- Accommodates grid, L-shaped and other custom screen layouts.
- Splits screen edges into ranges that lead to different computers.
- Offers adjustable cursor scaling for individual remote screens.
- Forwards keyboard input as Unicode characters to handle differing layouts.
- Supports dead keys, special characters, mouse buttons and scrolling.
- Synchronizes text and image clipboard content between computers.
- Transfers files and directories between macOS and Windows systems.
- Forwards media, volume, playback and brightness keys.
- Synchronizes screensaver activation across connected systems.
- Uses end-to-end encrypted Styx relays for cross-network connections.
- Provides network-aware profiles that activate automatically.
- Allows multiple controlling computers to share a single remote display.
- Supports headless Linux systems as dedicated input forwarders.
- Runs as a Windows service with login and lock-screen support.
- Provides self-contained Linux binaries for x86-64 and ARM64 systems.
Website: github.com/PacAnimal/hydra
Support:
Developer: Cathedral Networks
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
Hydra is written in C#. Learn C# with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Software KVM Switches | |
|---|---|
| Deskflow | Cross-platform solution with Wayland, clipboard sharing and TLS encrpytion. |
| Lan Mouse | GTK frontend and command-line interface |
| Input Leap | Fork of Barrier, by Barrier’s active maintainer |
| USBKVM | Keyboard, video, and mouse over USB; client app for the USBKVM hardware |
| Barrier | Only works under X11 (No Wayland support) |
| rkvm | Low overhead and doesn't need a display server |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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