PairDrop vs Synergy (2026): which should you pick?

Pick PairDrop if

• Fits if you want to send a file from a phone to a laptop without a cable
• Works for people who want no account or app install

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you want to send while the other device is closed, as both must have it open
• Watch out: devices outside your network connect through the project's TURN server
• Watch out: iOS and Android limit how files can be saved from a web page
• Too light for sync or backup, as it only moves files once

Pick Synergy if

• Fits if you have a Windows PC, a Mac and a Linux machine on one desk
• Works for copying on one computer and pasting on the next

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you want to try it first at home, as personal licenses only have a 30-day money-back guarantee
• Skip it if your computers aren't on the same local network, because it only works across one
• Pricey if your company is paying, since that needs a Business license from $90 a seat each year
• Watch out: the $15 Lite plan has no TLS/SSL encryption or hotkeys, so you'd need Plus at $19
• Watch out: every computer still needs its own screen, and Business editions send a daily usage report

PairDrop

• Both devices must have PairDrop open in a browser for a transfer to start.
• Devices outside your network behind a NAT connect through the project's TURN server.
• The project says iOS and Android limit how files can be saved from a web page.

Synergy

• Personal licenses have no free trial, only a 30-day money-back guarantee; the 14-day trial is for Business plans.
• Lite covers 3 computers and has no TLS/SSL encryption or hotkeys. Plus allows 5 computers and Max allows 15.
• All computers must be on the same local network and each needs its own screen, because Synergy does not share video.
• A Business license is required when a company pays for, reimburses or deploys Synergy, and Business editions send a daily usage report.

PairDrop

Local network transfers

Send images, documents or text peer-to-peer to devices on the same network.

Device pairing

Pair devices with a 6-digit code or a QR code so they find each other even on different networks.

Temporary public rooms

Enter a room with a 5-letter code or QR code to connect across the internet; rooms close when PairDrop does.

Share menu and command line

Send from the Android or iOS share menu, a Windows or Ubuntu context menu, or a command-line client.

Installable web app

Runs as a progressive web app that can be installed from Chrome, Edge, Safari and some other browsers.

Synergy

Shared keyboard and mouse

Move the pointer off the edge of one screen to control the next computer with the same keyboard, mouse or trackpad, without a hardware KVM switch or its switching delay.

Clipboard sharing

Copy text or an image on one computer, move the pointer to another and paste it there.

TLS/SSL encryption

Encrypts the keystrokes and clipboard data sent between computers over the local network. It is included from the Plus tier upward, not in Lite.

Hotkeys and key swapping

Shortcuts switch between computers or send keystrokes to another machine, and the Windows and Command keys can swap automatically when moving between Windows and Mac.

Auto-config and discovery

Synergy 3 has an interface rebuilt from the ground up with automatic configuration and discovery of computers, and a screen layout for arranging them.

Business controls

Business licenses add policy-based settings, centralized configuration, challenge-based offline activation for air-gapped networks and priority support.

PairDrop

• Free$0

  Public instance at pairdrop.net; you can also run your own.

Synergy

• Synergy 3 Lite$15

  one-time payment

  Personal license to control up to 3 computers on a local network, with copy and paste between them. No TLS/SSL encryption or hotkeys.

• Synergy 3 Plus$19

  one-time payment

  Up to 5 computers, adding TLS/SSL network encryption and keyboard shortcuts to switch computers or send keystrokes to another one.

• Synergy 3 Max$29

  one-time payment

  Everything in Plus for up to 15 computers.

• Synergy Business Essential$90

  per year, priced per seat

  Unlimited computers, priority support with a 4-hour SLA, offline air-gapped activation and invoicing. Includes Synergy 1 and Synergy 3.

• Synergy Business Advanced$190

  per seat / year

  Adds policy-based controls, centralized configuration and deployment support, and custom LTS and legacy operating system support.

• Synergy EnterpriseCustom

  Keyless offline deployment, zero telemetry, bespoke builds, site and volume licensing and a custom SLA. Priced through sales.

PairDrop

No public discounts listed.

Synergy

• Other savings

  25% off for newsletter subscribers

  The Synergy homepage offers 25% off Synergy to people who subscribe to its newsletter, with the discount sent by email.