For the release of the 2.x versions: instability, removal of functionality for the same license, lack of downgrade rights[5], required connection to Symless servers[1][2] (including storing machine profile data). Compounded by the upgrade fee.
This all happened a few years ago, and given their downgrade partnership with LinusTechTips[6] plus community backlash, they are probably okay as long as you only get the 1.x versions.
Still, with those issues, and for a program that is basically a very useful cross-computer keylogger, I would think twice before trusting Symless.
Barrier has it's bugs, but does it's simple job of keyboard/mouse/clipboard sharing and without the shady practices.
To be clear on where they stand in relation to one another: Barrier is a strictly FOSS fork of an older 1.x version of Synergy. Synergy's 1.x source code is FOSS (I don't know if 2.x is/was), but they require a paid license for their binaries; Barrier has free binary releases.
This all happened a few years ago, and given their downgrade partnership with LinusTechTips[6] plus community backlash, they are probably okay as long as you only get the 1.x versions.
Still, with those issues, and for a program that is basically a very useful cross-computer keylogger, I would think twice before trusting Symless.
Barrier has it's bugs, but does it's simple job of keyboard/mouse/clipboard sharing and without the shady practices.
To be clear on where they stand in relation to one another: Barrier is a strictly FOSS fork of an older 1.x version of Synergy. Synergy's 1.x source code is FOSS (I don't know if 2.x is/was), but they require a paid license for their binaries; Barrier has free binary releases.
More sources: [1]https://members.symless.com/forums/topic/3829-is-synergy-20-...
[2]https://members.symless.com/forums/topic/6190-synergy-stoppe...
[3]https://members.symless.com/forums/topic/4863-couldnt-connec...
[4]https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/878226-psa-synergy-20-i...
[5]https://superuser.com/questions/1367713/are-programs-like-sy...
[6]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9u1vX-pvLs&t=8m50s (part of a project video, I skipped to the relevant part)