spacedesk is a software that allows you to extend or duplicate your Windows desktop to other devices like smartphones or tablets.
Best Virtual Display Driver Alternatives ranked by AI · updated Aug 2026
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Virtual Display Driver is an open-source Windows driver that creates software-defined monitors without requiring physical display hardware. It is intended for remote desktop, streaming, automation, and headless Windows systems.
Top 6 Virtual Display Driver alternatives
VirtScreen is an open-source Linux utility for creating and managing virtual displays through the X11 display system. It is intended for users...
Pros
- Free and open source compared with commercial virtual-display utilities
- Designed specifically for Linux X11 environments
- Useful for headless systems and remote desktop workflows
Cons
- Primarily targets X11 rather than modern Wayland sessions
- Requires Linux configuration knowledge compared with Deskreen or spacedesk
- Less polished and broadly supported than commercial alternatives
3
Deskreen
Deskreen
Deskreen is an open-source application that uses a web browser to turn phones, tablets, and other devices into secondary displays. It is...
Pros
- Free and open source
- Works with almost any device that has a modern browser
- No dedicated client installation is needed on the secondary device
Cons
- Much weaker pen-pressure support than Weylus
- Primarily a display-sharing tool rather than a graphics tablet
- Performance depends on browser and network conditions
Free and open source
4
Xpra
Xpra Project
Xpra is an open-source remote application server that forwards individual X11 applications or desktops across networks. It is designed for developers and...
Pros
- Cross-platform, unlike Xming
- Sessions can persist and reconnect after network interruptions
- Supports individual applications instead of requiring a complete remote desktop
Cons
- More infrastructure and configuration than a basic Xming display server
- Best results may require installing Xpra on both client and server
- Not a drop-in replacement for every traditional X11 forwarding workflow
Free and open source
5
BetterDisplay
BetterDisplay
BetterDisplay is a macOS utility for managing external and virtual displays. It supports brightness and volume control, custom resolutions, display arrangement, and...
Pros
- More extensive display and virtual-screen controls than Monitor Buddy
- Supports custom resolutions, HiDPI scaling, and dummy displays
- Free tier covers many common brightness and volume controls
Cons
- More complex interface than Monitor Buddy
- Advanced features require the Pro upgrade
- macOS-only
Free, Pro from $19.99 one-time
6
Xvfb
X.Org Foundation
Xvfb is an X11 server that renders into virtual memory rather than a physical display. It is primarily used by Linux and...
Pros
- Mature and widely available on Linux and Unix systems
- Excellent for CI, testing, and headless application execution
- Uses fewer resources than a full desktop session
Cons
- Less convenient for interactive multi-monitor desktop use than VirtScreen
- Does not create a normal hardware-like monitor in the desktop session
- Requires command-line configuration
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