Compare
There are three other reasonable ways to drive two Macs from one keyboard. Each is genuinely better than Continuo at something. Here is the whole table, and here is what each one is actually for.
| Capability | Continuo | Universal Control | Synergy | ShareMouse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Different Apple IDs | Yes | Same ID | Yes | Yes |
| Windows or Linux on the same desk | Macs only | Macs and iPads | Windows · Linux | Windows |
| Encrypted, with no way to switch it off | Pinned mTLS 1.3 | Yes | Plus and above | Only with a password |
| Native input, not a forwarded stream | Yes | Yes | No | Unstated |
| Native trackpad gestures | Pro | Yes | Scroll only | Scroll only |
| Reconnects after sleep | Yes | Supported, can drop | Needs a workaround | Unstated |
| Drag a file straight to another Mac | Free to 5 MB | Yes | No | Yes |
| Select text to copy, no keystroke | Pro | No | No | No |
| Wake a sleeping Mac | Pro | No | No | No |
| Keyboard works on the lock screen | Pro | Both must be unlocked | No | Windows only |
| Keyboard works from a cold start | Pro · in progress | No | No | No |
| Price | $29 | Free with macOS | $15–29 once | One-time licence |
| Upgrades | This macOS + the next | With macOS | Until end of life | Maintenance term |
| No cloud, no account, no tracking | Yes | iCloud | Account | Unstated |
Every cell above was read off each vendor's own published material in mid-2026. Where a vendor does not state a behaviour, the cell says so rather than guessing. If something here is out of date, tell us and it gets fixed.
Best for
Macs and iPads that all sign in to one Apple ID. It is built into macOS and costs nothing.
The catch
The single Apple ID is the whole of it. A work Mac managed by your employer and a personal Mac cannot meet there, and there is no setting that changes that.
Best for
Desks that mix macOS, Windows and Linux. Nothing else covers that spread as well.
The catch
Input is forwarded rather than delivered natively, encryption starts at the Plus tier, and trackpad support stops at scrolling.
Best for
Mixed macOS and Windows desks, with a free tier for two machines.
The catch
Encryption is opt-in behind a password, and several behaviours the others document are simply not stated.
Two or more Macs on one desk that do not share an Apple ID, and a preference for keeping the traffic on your own Wi-Fi. If your Macs all sign in to the same Apple ID and you have no reason to avoid iCloud, Universal Control is already on your machine and it is free. Use it.
