Samsung DeX

7 best Samsung DeX alternatives for PC in 2026 (phone-to-desktop, ranked)

Samsung DeX takes a Galaxy phone or tablet and drops it into a desktop-shaped shell on a monitor or a PC. The idea is a full workspace from a device already in your pocket. The reasons people go looking for Samsung DeX alternatives are the ones tied to Samsung’s own ecosystem. DeX is Samsung-only, so a Pixel, a OnePlus, or an iPhone cannot use it. Wireless mode requires a compatible TV or a Windows PC and is picky about Wi-Fi channels. Battery drain is significant during use. And the desktop client is Windows and macOS only, so Linux is out.

The picks below cover the free open-source mirror everyone eventually installs, the Microsoft-first Windows path, the paid multi-device options, and the vendor-specific competitors from Motorola, Xiaomi, and Huawei. Each is judged on device support, wired versus wireless quality, input handling, and how quickly a phone gets on the big screen.

Quick comparison

App Best for Phone OS Desktop Standout feature
scrcpy Open-source mirror Android Windows, macOS, Linux Zero client on the phone side
Microsoft Phone Link Samsung and Pixel on Windows Android, iOS Windows 11 Deep integration with Windows
AirDroid Cast Cross-platform cast Android, iOS Windows, macOS Guest cast codes for remote
Vysor Enterprise-grade mirror Android Windows, macOS, Linux Bulk device support
Motorola Ready For Motorola’s DeX-alike Android Windows Windows client and TV cast
Xiaomi Interconnect Xiaomi cross-device Android Windows Native Xiaomi bridge on new Redmi Books
Huawei Mobile Assistant Huawei ecosystem Android Windows Multi-screen collaboration

Why people leave Samsung DeX

DeX is a good product on Samsung hardware, and every problem people mention traces back to Samsung’s own scope. The biggest one is that DeX simply refuses to run on non-Samsung phones. If a workflow depends on a Pixel or a OnePlus, DeX is not the answer. Wireless DeX depends on Miracast and needs the receiver on the correct Wi-Fi channel, so hotel and office networks often break the link. Wired DeX is stable but pulls power at the same time it charges, so long sessions still drain the battery. The Windows DeX client dropped official support on newer Windows 11 builds for a period, and macOS support has never been as polished. Users on the r/GalaxyS24 and r/Samsung subreddits also mention app-specific quirks in the DeX desktop layout, where a Play Store app displays in a phone window instead of a resizable one.

The alternatives

scrcpy, open-source mirror everyone installs

scrcpy is a small executable that mirrors an Android device over USB or Wi-Fi with the phone’s own screen. No app install on the phone side, no account, and no ads. The video is snappy, the keyboard and mouse from the PC control the phone, and text can be pasted through. Windows, macOS, and Linux are all supported.

Where it falls short: Not a desktop shell. This mirrors the phone rather than expanding it into a windowed environment.

Pricing: Free.

Download: scrcpy

Bottom line: For a fast, free, cross-platform mirror of any Android phone, scrcpy is the default.

Phone Link on Windows 11 is the Microsoft-blessed path. Text messages, notifications, phone calls, and app mirroring all show up in one Windows-native window. Support for Samsung Galaxy phones goes deepest, and Pixel devices get most of the feature set.

Where it falls short: Windows 11 only, and app mirroring works best on supported Samsung and Pixel hardware.

Pricing: Free.

Download: Microsoft Phone Link

Bottom line: On a Windows 11 PC with a Samsung or Pixel, Phone Link is the least friction path.

AirDroid Cast, cross-platform cast

AirDroid Cast covers both Android and iOS as sources. It runs on Windows and macOS on the receiver side and adds guest cast codes for remote presenters. The desktop UI feels closer to a video call than to a mirror.

Where it falls short: Wireless quality is variable outside a good Wi-Fi network. Premium features gate two-way control.

Pricing: Free tier with limits, subscription for premium features and multi-device.

Download: AirDroid Cast

Bottom line: When the workflow needs iOS support alongside Android, AirDroid Cast is the reach.

Vysor, enterprise-grade mirror

Vysor is the closest competitor to scrcpy for organizations that need a supported product with bulk-device features. Multi-device layouts, script-driven install, and audio mirroring all ship in the paid tier. Windows, macOS, and Linux clients are maintained.

Where it falls short: The free tier drops resolution and adds ads.

Pricing: Free tier, subscription for Pro and Enterprise features.

Download: Vysor

Bottom line: For QA labs and fleets, Vysor is the paid answer.

Motorola Ready For, Motorola’s DeX-alike

Ready For is Motorola’s desktop shell. It launches on newer Motorola Edge and Razr phones, casts to a compatible TV over Miracast, and connects to Windows through a dedicated Ready For desktop client. The layout mirrors DeX in intent.

Where it falls short: Motorola-only, and support depends on the phone model.

Pricing: Free.

Download: Ready For

Bottom line: For a Motorola user, Ready For is the exact analog to DeX.

Xiaomi Interconnect, Xiaomi cross-device

Xiaomi’s Interconnect suite bridges Xiaomi and Redmi phones to Redmi Book laptops with drag-and-drop file transfer, phone-screen mirroring, and shared clipboards. On a matching Xiaomi laptop, the bridge is one click.

Where it falls short: Best on Xiaomi hardware end-to-end. Third-party PCs get a thinner subset.

Pricing: Free with Xiaomi hardware.

Download: Bundled with recent Xiaomi phones and Redmi Book laptops.

Bottom line: Xiaomi ecosystem users have the closest thing to DeX in the box.

Huawei Mobile Assistant, Huawei ecosystem

Huawei Mobile Assistant offers Multi-Screen Collaboration between recent Huawei phones and Windows PCs. The phone shows up as a window, apps can move between phone and PC, and files transfer inline.

Where it falls short: Windows on Huawei matching hardware works best. Non-Huawei devices get a reduced feature set.

Pricing: Free.

Download: Huawei Mobile Assistant

Bottom line: For Huawei device owners, Mobile Assistant is the vendor-native bridge.

How to choose

Pick scrcpy when the workflow is a fast, free mirror on any OS. Pick Microsoft Phone Link on Windows 11 for the smoothest first-party feel. Pick AirDroid Cast when iOS matters. Pick Vysor when the fleet has more than a handful of devices. Pick Ready For, Xiaomi Interconnect, or Huawei Mobile Assistant when your phone is from that manufacturer. Stay on Samsung DeX when the workflow is a Galaxy phone plus a monitor or a compatible TV, since the tool is still the most complete Android-into-a-desktop-shell experience Samsung ships.

FAQ

Does Samsung DeX work on iPhone?

No. DeX is Samsung-only on the source device.

What is the best free Samsung DeX alternative?

scrcpy is free, open-source, and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Microsoft Phone Link is free on Windows 11.

Can I use Samsung DeX without a monitor?

Yes, through the DeX Windows or Mac client. The phone screen becomes a resizable desktop inside a window on the PC.

Does Motorola Ready For work like DeX?

Yes, in intent. A Motorola phone launches a desktop-shaped shell on a TV or a PC. Hardware support depends on the phone model.

Is scrcpy the same as DeX?

No. scrcpy mirrors the phone’s current screen. DeX rearranges the interface into a desktop layout on the big screen. Different use cases.