Olga Weis Last updated Sep 3, 2024

FlexiHub Alternatives Comparison Chart

FlexiHub is a program that facilitates remote access to USB devices by using a so-called USB forwarding technique. Now, we offer you a chance to compare the best existing alternative software solutions. We've compiled these alternatives into a detailed comparison chart, making it easier for you to understand their unique features and differences. This table will help you effortlessly compare pricing plans and choose the solution that best fits your needs.

💡 USB forwarding is a technology that enables USB data to be transferred over a TCP/IP network. Users can access USB devices using this method even if their computer is not connected to these devices directly.

Software	USB Network Gate	FlexiHub	Donglify	Serial to Ethernet Connector
Supported devices	USB devices	USB and COM port devices	USB dongles only	COM port devices
Sharing USB over LAN	✓	✓	✓
Share COM port over LAN				✓
Sharing USB over LAN (without Internet access)	✓
Sharing USB over the Internet	× (with public IP address)	✓	✓
Sharing USB dongles over the Internet	× (with public IP address)	✓	✓
Multiconnect feature	✓			✓
Sharing COM port devices over the Internet		✓ (on Windows)
Cross-platform compatibility: Server Side	Windows, Linux, macOS, Android	Windows, Linux, macOS, Android	Windows, macOS	Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi and ARM development boards
Cross-platform compatibility: Client Side	Windows, Linux, macOS	Windows, Linux, macOS	Windows, macOS	Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi and ARM development boards
License model	License-based	Subscription	Subscription	License-based
Pricing	$159.95 up to 10 devices	from $14/month	from $27per month	from $259.95
Online account creation required		✓	✓
Free demo limitations	1 shared USB device, 14 days	5 sessions with remote devices, 30 days	Share a dongle between 10 computers, 7 days	14-day trial period

USB Network Gate - for USB-over-LAN sharing

USB Network Gate is an application that lets users connect USB devices over the network to remote computers and use them as if it was a direct physical connection. USB Network Gate makes USB peripherals accessible from anywhere in the world over LAN, WAN, or the Internet.

The tool shares USB ports rather than specific devices so that any equipment plugged into a shared interface is immediately available over the network. Any number of USB devices can be shared from a local machine. Each shared device is recognized as a locally-attached peripheral on the remote client machines.

Main differences with FlexiHub

USB Network Gate	FlexiHub
14-day free trial	30-day free demo
Shares USB ports	Shares USB and serial devices
Works over LAN and WAN (for WAN requires additional settings configuration)	Requires constant internet connection (so, does not work over LAN). Thanks to the proxy (redirection) server, does not require any settings adjustment when sharing USB devices over the Internet
Licensing model: perpetual license	Licensing model: subscription

Notable features of USB Network Gate include:

Support for the RDP and ICA protocols;
Encryption of USB traffic for increased security;
Authorization passwords can be set to control access to devices;
Access to shared USB devices from remote desktops, virtual machines, and blade servers.
Single license allows up to 10 USB devices that can be shared simultaneously

The server and client portions of this FlexiHub alternative are combined into a single application. The client code necessary to remotely share devices can be installed as a stand-alone app.

USB Network Gate is licensed as a one-time purchase. A free 14-day trial is available after which the price starts at $159.95. Custom pricing is available for corporate accounts.

Donglify - for connecting the security dongles

Donglify focuses on sharing dongles or USB security keys among multiple network-connected systems. It is not as versatile as some other FlexiHub alternative apps but is an excellent solution for unlocking the software functionality protected by security dongles.

Donglify’s features include:

The ability to share dongles anywhere with just a few clicks;
Creating login tokens to share access to dongles without compromising account credentials;
Connect to security dongles from virtual machines;
2048-bit SSL encryption protects data transmission;
Access dongles from machines with no USB port;
Protects dongles from physical wear and tear.

Donglify is essentially a limited version of FlexiHub focused exclusively on sharing dongles. It’s priced on a subscription basis that starts at $29 per month with custom enterprise plans available by request.

Serial to Ethernet Connector - for advanced serial-network access

Serial to Ethernet Connector is part of our list of FlexiHub alternatives due to its ability to share and connect serial port devices over a network.

This tool cannot be used to share USB devices but as the name says - it is made for sharing and connecting serial port devices. While FlexiHub can share serial ports (only Windows version), Serial to Ethernet Connector can do it much better thanks to its reach settings.

The main features of Serial to Ethernet Connector include:

Support for sharing serial or COM ports over a network using virtualization technology;
Virtual ports fully emulate and provide the functionality of physical serial interfaces;
Devices shared over virtual ports act as if they are directly connected to the remote client machine;
Create as many virtual serial ports as needed.

Licenses for Serial to Ethernet Connector are available for a one-time purchase price starting at $259.95. Alternate plans are available for corporate accounts and use with virtual machines.

USB Redirector

Another alternative to FlexiHub is USB Redirector. The tool lets you access remote devices as if they had a direct connection to your Windows machine. The app is licensed per USB server, meaning there is a charge for each computer that has a direct connection.

Noteworthy features of USB Redirector include:

The app runs in the background as a service;
The program acts as a USB server and client;
Free client code is available to connect to licensed USB servers.

You can test the app with a 15-day free trial. Licenses for single computers start at $74.99 for use with two USB devices. Prices increase based on the number of devices you need to share simultaneously.

VirtualHere

VirtualHere eliminates the need to plug USB devices directly into your computer’s ports. The software enables users to interact with remotely located USB devices as if they had a direct physical connection to the equipment.

This tool supports sharing USB devices on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android systems. The software also enables sharing of network-attached storage (NAS) devices.

VirtualHere’s features include:

Support for a wide variety of NAS devices;
macOS and Android support;
Client software requires minimal installation and runs on each endpoint.

A free trial is available and a license for VirtualHere costs $49. It is worth a look if you need to share NAS devices remotely.

USB/IP - free & open-source

The USB/IP Project is the only open-source FlexiHub alternative on the list that can be used to share USB devices over a network running the TCP/IP protocol.

This free FlexiHub alternative does not provide the same level of functionality as commercial tools. USB/IP is designed primarily for use with the Linux operating system and requires users to be familiar with the terminal and invest some time to master the tool.

Here are some of the potential issues users may face with this free FlexiHub serial alternative solution:

The software is rarely updated;
Support is provided through community forums only;
More complex installation and operation than commercial alternatives.

Users can download USB/IP from GitHub for free. Due to its complexity and lack of updates, this program is not one of our top alternatives to FlexiHub.

Top FlexiHub Alternatives for USB and COM port Sharing