CursorHop vs Synergy
Synergy has been shipping for over a decade. The C++ daemon, the manual setup, and the connection-drop reputation have all been around about that long. CursorHop is what happens when you start over in Rust.
The honest read
Synergy is old. The Synergy 1 C++ core still backs the modern app, and the product has a long public track record of connection drops on busy networks. Synergy 3 rebuilt the GUI and added auto-config, but the underlying engine is unchanged. It works - you'll feel the weight.
CursorHop started from the complaints Synergy users have been making for a decade. A Rust input pipeline at ~7 ms median latency. Noise encryption on every tier, not gated behind Synergy's Plus or Max. mDNS auto-discovery with zero config. Native drag-drop file transfer at 70 Mbps. Setup in under a minute.
The one honest gap: Synergy supports Linux. CursorHop doesn't yet. If that's your deal-breaker, pick Synergy. For every other desk - Windows, macOS, or both - the trade isn't close.
See also: CursorHop vs Barrier (Synergy's open-source fork), CursorHop vs ShareMouse, CursorHop vs Logitech Flow, and CursorHop vs Mouse Without Borders, or scan the full KVM comparison matrix. Feature deep-dives: mouse sharing and auto-discovery.
What each one ships today
Apples to apples. No footnotes-on-footnotes.
| Feature | Synergy | CursorHop |
|---|---|---|
| Engine language | C++ | Rust (native, no GC) |
| Windows | Yes | Windows 10+ |
| macOS | Yes | macOS 12+ |
| Linux | Yes | Coming soon |
| Auto-discovery (mDNS) | Auto-config in Synergy 3 | mDNS, zero config |
| Encryption default | Plus / Max tiers only (Lite has none) | Noise, on in every tier |
| Clipboard - images | Limited | Text + images, every tier |
| File transfer (drag-drop) | Not built in | Native drag-drop over LAN |
| Screen dimming | No | Auto-dim inactive screens |
| Ctrl ⇄ Cmd translation | Yes | Yes, automatic |
| Pricing model | Lite $15 / Plus $19 / Max $29 one-time | From $10 one-time |
| Free trial | No trial (30-day refund instead) | 7 days, Pro Plus features, no card |
| Refund window | 30 days money-back | 14 days, no questions |
CursorHop latency and throughput figures come from internal gigabit-LAN testing with both machines on the same switch. Real-world results vary with hardware, Wi-Fi congestion, and driver configuration. Competitor features and prices can change, so confirm current details with the vendor before purchasing.
Pick Synergy if…
- You need Linux support today.
- You're provisioning 20+ seats and specifically need Synergy's team console.
Pick CursorHop if…
- You use Windows, macOS, or both.
- You want setup to finish in under a minute.
- You want encryption on from the first install, not behind a paid tier.
- You want native drag-drop file transfer and auto screen dimming out of the box.
- You want a Rust daemon that doesn't hitch under load.
Quick answers
Is CursorHop faster than Synergy?
CursorHop holds a median cursor latency around 7 ms on gigabit LAN in our internal tests. Synergy has no published median latency figure, but it transports input over TCP, which means a single dropped packet stalls all subsequent packets until retransmit. That surfaces as freeze-and-jump cursor behavior under load - a recurring complaint in Synergy user reviews ("smooth on ethernet, atrocious on wifi").
Does CursorHop support Linux?
Not yet. CursorHop currently supports Windows 10+ and macOS 12+. Linux support is planned for a future release. If you need Linux today, Synergy is a valid option.
How does pricing compare?
CursorHop is one-time, starting at $10 for Pro (2 devices). Synergy 3 personal pricing is one-time across three tiers: Lite at $15, Plus at $19, and Max at $29. Both are pay-once, no subscriptions.
Is CursorHop encrypted?
Yes. Every tier - including the 7-day free trial - encrypts all traffic using the Noise protocol. Keystrokes, clipboard, and file transfers are protected in transit.
Can I import my Synergy config?
No direct config import - Synergy's layout format is proprietary. CursorHop's layout editor rebuilds most multi-monitor setups in under a minute, and auto-discovery handles networking for you.
Try the Rust-powered alternative.
7-day free trial. No credit card. Full feature set.
Synergy® is a registered trademark of Symless Ltd. CursorHop is an independent product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the aforementioned. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Comparison claims are based on publicly available product pages, documentation, and user reports.
