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Deskreen alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Deskreen: true extended display needs a virtual display adapter, and streams over the network, so quality depends on your Wi-Fi. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Deskreen, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. spacedesk currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Weylus Community Edition logoWeylus Community EditionOpen sourceYesLinux, Windows, macOS4 of 459.6
2Duet logoDuetPaidNomacOS, Windows, iOS +15 of 552.2
  1. Weylus Community Edition logo

    1. Weylus Community EditionTop pick

    Best for: Linux artists who want to use a tablet as a pressure-sensitive pen display

    Open sourceLinux, Windows, macOS

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Deskreen

    Also browser-based and open source, adding pen and touch input back to the computer.

    Pros

    • Nothing to install on the tablet; it runs in the browser
    • Pen pressure, tilt and multi-touch on Linux
    • Can capture and draw into a single window
    • Free and open source

    Cons

    • Best features are Linux-only
    • No encryption on the connection, so use only on trusted networks
    • Second-screen mode needs extra setup such as a dummy plug
    Visit Weylus Community Edition Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Weylus Community Edition a good Deskreen alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Tablet app needed
    No, uses a web browser
    Checked Oct 30, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Stylus pressure
    Pressure and tilt on Linux
    Checked Oct 30, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Hardware encoding
    Yes
    Checked Oct 30, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Flatpak
    On Flathub
    Checked Oct 30, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Duet logo

    2. Duet

    Best for: People who want a tablet or spare laptop as a second screen across Mac, Windows, iOS and Android

    PaidmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android

    52.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Deskreen

    Paid app with wired mode, native tablet apps and drawing-tablet support.

    Pros

    • Works across Mac, Windows, iOS and Android in any combination
    • Second display, drawing tablet and remote access in one app
    • Keyboard and mouse sharing between two computers
    • End-to-end encrypted remote connections

    Cons

    • Subscription-based, with features split across plans
    • No Linux version
    • Pricing isn't listed on a plain page of its website
    Visit Duet Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.352
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Duet a good Deskreen alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Platforms
    Mac, Windows, iOS, Android
    Checked Nov 1, 2026duetdisplay.com(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    256-bit
    Checked Nov 1, 2026duetdisplay.com(opens source in a new tab)
    System requirements
    macOS 11 or later, Windows 10 or later
    Checked Nov 1, 2026duetdisplay.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Hardware needed
    None, software only
    Checked Nov 1, 2026duetdisplay.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Privacy mode
    Yes
    Checked Nov 1, 2026duetdisplay.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Deskreen alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

spacedesk logo

Best Deskreen alternative for most people

spacedesk

Real extended display on Windows without a dummy plug, plus touch input.

Weylus Community Edition logo

Best Deskreen alternative for a free option

Weylus Community Edition

Also browser-based and open source, adding pen and touch input back to the computer.

spacedesk logo

Best Deskreen alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

spacedesk

Real extended display on Windows without a dummy plug, plus touch input.

Weylus Community Edition logo

Best Deskreen alternative for open source

Weylus Community Edition

Also browser-based and open source, adding pen and touch input back to the computer.

Duet logo

Best Deskreen alternative for Mac

Duet

Paid app with wired mode, native tablet apps and drawing-tablet support.

spacedesk logo

Best Deskreen alternative for Windows

spacedesk

Real extended display on Windows without a dummy plug, plus touch input.

Weylus Community Edition logo

Best Deskreen alternative for Linux

Weylus Community Edition

Also browser-based and open source, adding pen and touch input back to the computer.

spacedesk logo

Best Deskreen alternative for iPhone and Android

spacedesk

Real extended display on Windows without a dummy plug, plus touch input.

spacedesk logo

Best Deskreen alternative for working in the browser

spacedesk

Real extended display on Windows without a dummy plug, plus touch input.

Deskreen alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Deskreen?

spacedesk ranks first right now. Real extended display on Windows without a dummy plug, plus touch input. Weylus Community Edition and Duet follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Deskreen?

Yes. spacedesk (free plan + paid) and Weylus Community Edition (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Deskreen?

Yes: Weylus Community Edition.

Which Deskreen alternatives work on Linux?

Weylus Community Edition runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Deskreen?

The complaints we hear most: true extended display needs a virtual display adapter; streams over the network, so quality depends on your Wi-Fi; no pen pressure or drawing-tablet features.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Deskreen, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.