I tested every IP KVM in my Homelab

Jun 5, 2026Since the PiKVM came out in 2017, there's been an explosion of IP KVMs. I've tested almost every one. But what are they good for?You can use Remote Desktop, Screen Sharing, or VNC to remote control a computer from anywhere on a LAN. And if you don't have a private VPN, you could use RealVNC, Raspberry Pi Connect, or wire up Tailscale or Pangolin for fully remote access. Those solutions are great, and so is SSH if you don't need a full desktop.But there are situations where you don't want to have remote control software running on the computer. When I'm benchmarking remotely, I don't want screen sharing using up any resources. Or what if you have a computer you want access remotely no matter what. Screen sharing and SSH don't work if the computer's locked up—or turned off!Enter the IP KVM. High end server hardware has this feature built-in (HP's ILO, Dell's iDRAC, or IPMI), but not everyone has access to server motherboards. Even if you do, the BMC might be wildly out of date, or you might want to connect through a GPU, and not through the built-in VGA graphics.IP KVM stands for "IP Keyboard Video and Mouse". Basically, these devices allow you to control of your computer over an IP network.High-end IP KVMs have special features like PoE support, HDMI passthrough, and backup 5G modems. But sometimes you just want no frills remote KVM, and for that, there are even sub-$50 models you can buy.In this post, I'll run through all the KVMs I've tested.But before we get started, a word of caution:One of these devices actually got me a visit from the FBI. And all these things can be security holes, just waiting to be exploited. Any form of remote control needs to be treated like an open door into your network—make sure you put a good lock on it.Keep them updated, don't buy one if you don't trust the vendor, and firewall them off as much as you can.

Using an IP KVM allows remote BIOS access, which can be pretty dangerous!To see just how damaging things can be, check out this article about some pretty serious vulnerabilities some of the devices I'm about to review have run into.But let's start with the PiKVM.PiKVMFor me, this thing started it all. The folks at PiKVM built the open source software that was used in every first-generation clone, and cemented Raspberry Pi as the computer used in these things. My Dad and I tested all the PiKVM models, and I like everything but the price. I 100% recommend them, especially since you're directly supporting the folks who wrote the software. But I also know many people stop looking once they see the price tag.Going from $275 to $400 bucks, they offer features like HDMI passthrough, two-way audio, power controls, addons for KVM switching, 5G backup, and a fully open source software stack. They even have instructions for building your own, if you have a Pi and you want to save some money!Prices:PiKVM v4 Plus (with CM4): $400(ish) on PiShop.usPiKVM v4 Mini (sans-CM4): $270(ish) on CloudFreePiKVM v3 (with Pi 4): $275(ish) on PiShop.usChipset: BCM2711 (Raspberry Pi 4/CM4)Topline features: 1080p at 60fps, HDMI passthrough, two-way audio support, ATX power control, multi-computer option with extra hardware, a PCI Express slot for 4G or 5G cards for redunant Internet, and uses around 3W of powerOpen source: GPLv3 license, source is here, basis for almost all the Raspberry Pi-powered KVMsBliKVMThe BliKVM is basically a PiKVM, but cheaper, because the company benefitted from the software PiKVM already built. The hardware has the same benefits and tradeoffs. But on the software side, you're not putting money back into the open source project that started it all.

They modified the software and UI a bit, and they acknowledge where they get the software, but honestly? Starting over over $200 for a cheaper Allwinner version, they're outclassed by newer KVMs. My favorite thing BliKVM did was their PCI Express version, that you can slot inside your computer.$235 to $300 on AliExpressChipset: Allwinner H616 or Raspberry Pi CM4Topline features: Versions with Pi or Allwinner chip, a PCIe card version you can stick inside a PC, and plenty of accessories if you need extra features like HDMI passthrough. A bit of a messy setup, but it has everything out of the box.Open source: GPLv3 license, source is hereGL-iNet CometGL-iNet is quickly expanding their IP KVM offering. They kicked off their KVM journey with the $99 Comet. Like BliKVM, their software is a fork of PiKVM. So between that and using a cheaper single-core Arm SoC instead of Raspberry Pi, they can cut down the cost a lot. They also bump the supported resolution up to 4K, and they have external options for ATX power control or even a cute little FingerBot add-on, for remotely pushing buttons.$99.99 from GL-iNetChipset: RV1126Topline features: 4K at 30fps, 8GB eMMC, option for ATX board and Fingerbot for remote power button pushesOpen source: Self-hosted cloud feature, KVM UI based on PiKVM, source is hereGL-iNet Comet ProThe Comet is barebones, so they also sent me a Comet Pro to test.Aside: Most of the KVMs I'm testing are review samples. Even though none of the companies paid any money or have a say in what I write, I want to be clear: I only paid for a few of the KVMs under test.The Pro isn't quite double the cost, but it adds WiFi, 4x more onboard storage for bootable ISOs, a touchscreen, HDMI passthrough, and it still supports the FingerBot and ATX power control add-ons.

GL-iNet has a couple other unreleased KVMs which I hope to test out someday (one for USB control, the other for 4-computer switching).$179.99 from GL-iNetChipset: RV1126B (unconfirmed)Topline features: 4K at 30fps, built-in WiFi, 32GB eMMC, touchscreen, HDMI passthrough, option for ATX board and Fingerbot for remote power button pushesOpen source: Self-hosted cloud feature, KVM UI based on PiKVM, source is hereSipeed NanoKVM CubeThis is the little guy that got me an FBI visit. The NanoKVM Cube is so cheap at $70, that apparently hackers were sending these to US workers to access corporate networks, in some espionage scheme. That doesn't mean the NanoKVM is 'bad', just that they're cheap and inconspicuous, and that made them great for North Korean spies.Of course, Sipeed who makes these things didn't help the fact by including a tiny microphone. I made a short video about it. The problem is Sipeed built the NanoKVM with a RISC-V development board, that just so happens to include a tiny microphone.But in general, if you're nervous about using hardware like this from China, then pick something else. Sipeed also took a while to open source their firmware, which also didn't help NanoKVM's trust level.But I still like the Cube, if for no other reason than it showed manufacturers you could build tiny IP KVMs under $100.$69 on AliExpressChipset: SG2002 (RISC-V)Topline features: 1080p at 60fps, 32GB microSD, Comes with ATX breakout when buying full kitOpen source: KVM UI sourceSipeed NanoKVM PCIeI haven't tested it, but Sipeed also makes the NanoKVM PCIe form factor, for

installation inside a computer.$73 on AliExpressChipset: SG2002 (RISC-V)Topline features: 4K at 30fps, 32GB eMMC, HDMI passthrough, options for PoE, WiFi, ATX breakout adding on up to $120 totalOpen source: KVM UI sourceSipeed NanoKVM Pro / Pro PCIeSipeed also branched out like GL-iNet and made a Pro version with a touchscreen, a control wheel, WiFi, and HDMI passthrough.And they made two PCI Express card versions. And all these things are pretty cheap still (under $100). The cheaper NanoKVMs are built around the Sophgo SG2002 RISC-V chip, and the Pro models use Axera's dual-core Arm AX630C chip.I've tested all their different models, and they work great. Sipeed's UI is completely custom, too, and quite minimal. Availability at least in the US can be hit or miss, but I'm not sure if that's more from tariffs, production speed, or import restrictions.$99 on AliExpressChipset: AX630CTopline features: 4K at 30fps, 32GB eMMC, HDMI passthrough, PoE, built-in display with control wheel, options for WiFi, ATX breakout adding on up to $120 totalOpen source: KVM UI sourceJetKVMI tested the JetKVM pre-launch, and I still enjoy the JetKVM's fast UI and clean aesthetic. The two little screws up top mean you can hard-mount these into rackmounts, like I'm using in my clock rack:I don't know if it's just me, but this whole setup feels like one of the most polished. From the packaging, to the solid metal unit, to the snappy UI, I still use JetKVMs around the studio more than any other device.These use a single core Arm SoC, which helps them stay around $100, but because of import issues, they never got to ship in quantity at the same low price I think they intended.

There are some quirks, like no built-in PoE, and a mini HDMI port on the back that needs an adapter, but overall this is one of my favorite little IP KVMs.WisdPi makes a PoE splitter you can use to power it over Ethernet (that's how I'm powering it in my clock rack).The JetKVM is a lot like the PiKVM in that the team behind it devoted a lot of time and resources to building an entirely new open source software stack...Also like PiKVM, other companies quickly forked it and built their own tiny, cheap KVMs, diverting a portion of the potential market.$103 on wisdPiChipset: RV1106G3Topline features: 1080p at 60fps, 16GB eMMC, touchscreen, small zinc-alloy body, ATX, Serial, DC Power control attachments sold separatelyOpen source: KVM Go-based App (GPLv2), Firmware (upstream licenses)LuckFox PicoKVMOne of the companies that cloned it is LuckFox. They're a newer embedded device manufacturer, and their PicoKVM is basically the JetKVM, but square, with the screen on top. The price is a bit lower, though, and if you don't need it rackmounted, I guess it's a viable option.$61.99 on WaveshareChipset: RV1106G3Topline features: 1080p at 60Hz, 8GB eMMC, Touchscreen, GPIO for ATX power, microSD expansionOpen source: KVM UI is a fork of JetKVM (GPLv2), and they provide hardware schematicsLeafKVMAnother KVM that built off JetKVM's software is the LeafKVM. Unlike the JetKVM, it built in a larger display, and added one feature I haven't seen anywhere else: a VGA adapter that doesn't need extra power. You have to buy their adapter, and it only works with the LeafKVM (for now), but it worked perfectly on my old Xserves. The Xserve only has two USB ports on the back, so using one for a VGA power adapter is wasteful.