Dev tools · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Open-Source Multipurpose Wireless Dongle

nRF52840 MDK USB Dongle is a small, low-cost USB Dongle that supports Bluetooth 5.4, Bluetooth mesh, Thread, Zigbee, 802.15.4, ANT and 2.4 GHz proprietary protocols. It's shipped with the UF2 Bootloader, supports Bluetooth LE/802.15.4 packet sniffer with Wireshark, and has PCBA and w/Case options.

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Open-Source Multipurpose Wireless Dongle launched in 2019; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Bluetooth USB Peripheral Relay – Bridge Bluetooth Devices to USB▲233

   Hi HN! I built Bluetooth USB Peripheral Relay, a tool that lets Bluetooth devices (like keyboards and mice) connect to USB-only hosts using a Raspberry Pi Zero W. Why? My friend needed a way to use his Bluetooth mouse and keyboard on a PC with Bluetooth disabled due to policy restrictions. This tool acts as a bridge, relaying Bluetooth input over USB. It also lets you use Bluetooth peripherals with older devices that only support USB input. Tech: Written in Go, optimized for Raspberry Pi Zero W. I love HN’s community and often lurk here—I’m hoping this project is useful or at least sparks…

   2024 · github.com · its alternatives →

2. 2
   DonglePi, a USB Stick Giving You the Raspberry Pi IOs on a PC▲92

   Transform your PC into a Raspberry Pi. Contribute to gbin/DonglePi development by creating an account on GitHub.

   2015 · github.com · its alternatives →

3. 3AA
   An app for your older relatives, helping them find the right cables▲113

   2017 · dongledaddy.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Donglify▲102

   Access your USB dongle remotely using Donglify

   2021 · donglify.net · its alternatives →

5. 5
   Linux driver for the Xbox One wireless dongle▲158

   Linux driver for the Xbox One wireless dongle. Contribute to medusalix/xow development by creating an account on GitHub.

   2019 · github.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   PJDL an open alternative to 1-wire with a range of 2000m▲337

   PJON (Padded Jittering Operative Network) is an experimental, arduino-compatible, multi-master, multi-media network protocol. - PJON/src/strategies/SoftwareBitBang at master · gioblu/PJON

   2020 · github.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   A secure, open source U2F token you can make with $4.5 worth of parts▲267

   U2F USB token optimized for physical security, affordability, and style - conorpp/u2f-zero

   2016 · github.com · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Raspberry Pi Zero Wireless▲262

   New Raspberry Pi Zero with wireless LAN and Bluetooth

   2017 · raspberrypi.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Dongle Daddy▲88

   An app that helps you find the right cables.

   2017 · dongledaddy.com · its alternatives →

10. 10
    The Gnuk Smartcard Based on the STM32F1x and Geehy APM32▲10

    Sign, authenticate and encrypt with a USB dongle at the cost of a soda. The goal here was to easily program around ~20 Gnuk devices at the budget of a single dongle of the commercial solution. Contains every step and fixes to get it running on current and next Ubuntu and Debian versions.

    2025 · github.com · its alternatives →

11. 11
    PandwaRF – RF Hacking Tool with Sub 1GHz RF Transceiver, BLE and USB▲60

    PandwaRF: RF analysis tool with a sub-1 GHz wireless transceiver controlled by a smartphone or - Home · ComThings/PandwaRF Wiki

    2016 · github.com · its alternatives →

12. 12PB
    Perfect Bluetooth MIDI for Windows▲105

    Hi HN, I'm Erwin. I built a small free open-source utility that bridges Bluetooth LE MIDI keyboards into the new Windows MIDI Services stack so any DAW or Web MIDI app can use them as if they were wired. I bought a Roland FP-90X piano partly because it had Bluetooth MIDI. On my Windows 11 PC, pairing succeeded, but my DAW couldn't see the keyboard, and notes I sent from the PC never made the piano sing. After a regrettable number of evenings, I'd separated this into three independent bugs stacked on top of each other. The first one is the famous one: Windows only natively exposes BLE-MIDI…

    May 2026 · its alternatives →

13. 13
    AKKO 3068 Silent Bluetooth 5.0▲95

    Bluetooth 5.0 wireless & wired dual mode mechanical keyboard

    2021 · epomaker.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Connetric▲80

    A dongle for your MacBook that does, well, everything.

    2018 · its alternatives →

15. 15TS
    The SC4-HSM, a fully open USB hardware secure module▲137

    2016 · sc4.us · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Hexgears X-1▲117

    Low profile wireless mechanical keyboard

    2018 · kickstarter.com · its alternatives →

17. 17
    A virtual Yubikey device for 2FA/WebAuthN▲166

    A Virtual FIDO2 USB Device. Contribute to bulwarkid/virtual-fido development by creating an account on GitHub.

    2022 · github.com · its alternatives →

18. 18
    KeySweeper▲64

    Arduino-based wireless keyboard sniffer

    2015 · sa.my · its alternatives →

19. 19
    CarDongle▲3

    USB Car PC Computer Dongle for Vehicles

    2021 · indiegogo.com · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Square for Chip Cards▲81

    EMV & chip-compatible dongle from Square, pre-launch

    2014 · squareup.com · its alternatives →

21. 21OS
    Open source hardware platform for Bluetooth hacking▲46

    2014 · nordicsemiconductor.github.io · its alternatives →

22. 22
    BleuIO - Bluetooth low energy USB Dongle▲2

    Create BLE 5.0 applications in the fastest and easiest way

    2021 · bleuio.com · its alternatives →

23. 23RY
    Route Your Bluetooth Low Energy Hardware out to the Internet▲26

    2015 · nodule.io · its alternatives →

24. 24
    Flujo Signature Pro▲72

    World's First USB-C Adapter Hub with SSD Enclosure

    2019 · kickstarter.com · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →