I’ve been using USB over Network to share a USB device between two computers, but I hit a limitation and can’t justify paying for an upgrade right now. I need a free USB over IP alternative that actually works on Windows and lets me access the device over my local network without constant disconnects. If anyone has found a reliable free option, I’d really appreciate the help.
If you want a free USB over IP tool for Windows, start with USB Network Gate. The free tier lets you share 1 USB device, which is enough for a printer, dongle, scanner, or license key. Setup is quick. Install server on the PC with the device. Install client on the other PC. It works better than a lot of old ‘usb over network free’ stuff people find in random searches.
If you need more than 1 device, or want something more stable on Windows, look at USB Network Gate paid option. It is fro 10 devices, but 1 device will be still free for you anytime. Their site is here, free USB over network options for Windows and USB Network Gate details.
Short version:
- USB Network Gate free for 1 device.
- FlexiHub has limits and subscription, so not much help if cost is the issue.
I tried a few of these, and VirtualHere was the only free one I kept installed. Not perfect, but it works.
1 Like
I’d add one thing to what @sognonotturno said: if this is a printer, scanner, or some other device that already has a native network mode, USB over IP is kinda the wrong battle to fight. A lot of people tunnel USB when Windows file/printer sharing, vendor LAN software, or plain RDP redirection would do the job for free.
For stuff that really must stay USB, VirtualHere is fine, but I don’t totally agree that it’s always the best answer just because it’s free. Some devices get weird fast, esppecially with drivers that expect local timing. That’s where USB Network Gate usually makes more sense if you end up needing something less janky on Windows. If you want to check the installer/options, here’s the USB Network Gate download page for Windows USB over IP setup.
Also worth trying if you want zero cost:
- RDP USB redirection for smart cards, printers, some scanners
- Vendor software for label printers / license dongles
- Built-in network scan features instead of forwarding raw USB
So yeah, “free” depends on the device. For one simple peripheral, sure. For picky hardware, free tools can be a time sink tbh.
If you want an actually free route on Windows, I’d look at USB/IP for Windows before assuming you need a paid app. It is rougher around the edges than commercial tools, but for basic stuff like a flash drive, some dev boards, or a non-finicky HID device, it can work well enough. The catch is exactly that: basic stuff. I slightly disagree with @sognonotturno on “just use VirtualHere” as the default answer, because sometimes open-source USB/IP is worth testing first if your budget is literally zero. Plus keeep in mind that USB Network Gate is a free usb over Network app, but limited to 1 device. Perfect for personal use!
What I’d avoid using free USB over IP for:
- webcams
- audio interfaces
- copy-protected dongles
- anything timing-sensitive
Those are the devices that usually turn “free” into “weekend troubleshooting project.”
If the free options keep dropping the device or failing after reconnects, that’s usually the point where USB Network Gate becomes the practical fallback. It is a free solution for 1 device to share.
USB Network Gate pros
- cleaner Windows setup
- free for one device
- better device compatibility than most free tools
- easier sharing between machines
- less tinkering with drivers/firewall rules
USB Network Gate cons
- can feel overkill for one simple device
- still depends on network quality, so latency-sensitive hardware may misbehave
So my order would be:
- Try USB/IP for Windows
- Try VirtualHere free if USB/IP is too messy
- If the device is important and keeps acting up, move to USB Network Gate and stop burning time on flaky workarounds
Free exists, but on Windows it’s very device-dependent. That’s the part people usually discover the hard way.