I’m trying to set up a virtual serial port for testing legacy software but I’m overwhelmed by all the different tools out there. I need a reliable solution that works on Windows and supports creating paired virtual COM ports. What are your recommendations and what has worked best for you in similar situations?
Alright, so if you’re lost in the virtual serial port jungle, you’re not alone—I’ve had more late nights fussing over paired virtual COM links than I care to admit. Tried a bunch, and most left me questioning my life choices (looking at you, free tools that randomly drop connections). But if you want to reliably set up connected ports in Windows for legacy app testing, “Virtual Serial Port Driver” is really the way to go.
It’s not just fluff: stable, actual support, works on pretty much any Windows flavor post-XP, and you can seamlessly set up loopback pairs, so your aging software will think it’s chatting with real hardware. The interface doesn’t look like it was coded in 1998, you can manage unlimited port pairs, and it handles baud rates, parity, and the rest without choking. I even had two legacy apps talking to each other over fake serial ports—no hardware, zero drama.
Not free (I know, ouch), but the time saved is worth it, unless you’re really just tinkering for an hour. You can find the details, downloads, and actual technical specs straight from their team at set up seamless serial port connections here.
TL;DR: Don’t waste time with flaky stuff—this is the virtual COM port solution I’d stick with unless you love headaches and driver errors.
12 Likes
Alright, so while @sonhadordobosque gave the big thumbs-up to Virtual Serial Port Driver (and yeah, it’s a solid choice for most people—though their price tag always makes me wince), I’ll toss an alternative angle into the ring. Have you looked into HW VSP or Free Virtual Serial Ports by HHD Software? They’re more barebones, and I’ll be honest—they’re not as shiny or robust as the more premium “Virtual Serial Port Driver”—but if budget’s tight or you’re only occasionally messing with legacy serial apps, sometimes simplicity wins out.
But let’s get real: most of the free tools out there are like playing serial port roulette—one week they’re working, next week Windows updates and they’re toast. If you’re not down to babysit COM ports all afternoon, the paid routes are less of a headache. Virtual Serial Port Driver nails the seamless pairing and lets you configure all the port parameters you’ll actually need (plus, their UI won’t make your eyes bleed). If you want to actually get stuff done without constantly rebooting, grab it from their site—more info here: check out the most reliable virtual COM port tool.
TL;DR: You can play with the freebie tools if you like living dangerously or just want a quick test, but if you’ve suffered enough with flaky connections and you value your sanity, just go with Virtual Serial Port Driver. Your legacy app will thank you (and so will your future self).
If you’re tired of that “virtual COM port roulette” where Windows updates nuke your fake ports and your legacy apps start sulking, I hear you—been there, rebuilt that. Here’s the short take: when it comes to virtual serial port software, Virtual Serial Port Driver consistently pulls ahead for anyone who actually needs stable, headache-free paired ports. Why? The pros are pretty substantial:
PROS:
- Rock-solid stability over long test sessions (no random disconnects!)
- Easy setup of unlimited virtual COM port pairs
- Handles all the obscure config options (baud, parity, flow control) your fussiest old app might demand
- Modern UI so you’re not back in Windows 2000 hell
- Real customer support instead of ghostware
CONS:
- Not free; price tag stings if you’re a weekend tinkerer
- Overkill for very, very basic/occasional uses
- May clash with deep-dive low-level custom hardware setups (but rare for app testing)
That said, maybe you side with the folks who go for HW VSP or HHD Software’s free virtual serial package for quick jobs or hobby projects. Those get you the basics, but don’t get comfy—they’re more like your backup donut tire than a full set of new wheels. And support? Forget about it when you hit a wall.
If you’re all about avoiding trial-and-error marathon sessions just to get your legacy app to “talk,” Virtual Serial Port Driver is the top pick. If it’s a one-off experiment and you don’t mind a bit of troubleshooting, give the alternatives a whirl. But for anyone looking to simulate a hardware environment reliably? Don’t cheap out on your sanity—go with the paid option and skip the Windows Device Manager drama.
Short version: If you need best-in-class virtual COM port pairing under Windows, especially outside of “just tinkering,” Virtual Serial Port Driver is the tool that delivers, and you can leave the rest for retro-computing nostalgia night.