Virtual null-modem software solutions

Olga Weis Aug 6, 2021

If you like the idea of using a virtual null-modem connection but are not sure which solution to choose, we advise you to read this article and find out the best solution for you.

Null-modem emulator by com0com

Com0com is an open-source kernel-mode null-modem emulator. It can provide a COM interface for device emulation apps. What does it mean? In practice, it means that a device emulation program connects to one port of a serial port pair while the other port used by the Windows app (that needs to talk to the device).

Virtual Serial Port emulator solution by Electronic Team

If you are looking for utility with the extra features Virtual COM Port Driver is optimally suited to these needs.

This high-grade tool used to create compatible serial ports connected via virtual null-modem. These virtual COM ports work in pairs, forming a virtual “bridge”. Data sent by one application will be immediately received at another end of the pair by another app.

Virtual Serial Port Driver vs. Null-modem emulator

Here we provide a comparison of major features of Virtual Serial Port Driver and Null-Modem Emulator (com0com) to help make your decision easier. In the table below, you’ll see the benefits of the paid vs. free, open-source software.

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Features list

Virtual Serial Port Driver Electronic Team

Null-modem emulator com0com

Tested version

10.0.858

MAIN FEATURES

The proprietary licensing scheme that does not oblige you to expose the complete source code of your own derivative works which are based on or incorporate any part of the program

The out-of-the-box solution that does not require any additional software or drivers

Availability of customer support service assisting in matters related to software usage, installation, and configuration

High-level technical assistance during software customization and integration into your industry-specific products

Regular software updates and improvements

Drivers successfully passed Microsoft Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) tests and are digitally signed by Microsoft

Any number of virtual serial ports pairs can be created

Full software emulation of real serial port

Hot virtual ports installation - no reboot required after installation, creation or reconfiguration of virtual serial ports

Link between virtual serial ports is much faster than real null-modem cable connection and solely depends on your processor speed

Virtual serial port may have any name you like (not only COMx)

Virtual serial ports are located in Device Manager, thus any software finds the ports

Virtual ports are located in "Ports" group of Device Manager

(all ports)

(only COMx ports)

Possibility to create ports for the current user session only. Allows RDP users to create port with the same name (e.g. COM1) in each user session.

Ports are automatically re-created on system reboot (prior to user login)

Get information about current virtual serial port state, amount of sent/received data

Virtual serial port can have the same name as real serial port (virtual serial port overlapping)

Emulate virtual serial line connection break

Manage port access list, which is used to restrict access to created ports for various applications

Different virtual null-modem schemes are available

Ability to save null-modem scheme as a template

Full support of Flow control (Hardware and Xon/Xoff)

All signal lines supported (DTR/DSR/CTS/RTS/DCD/RI)

Strict baudrate emulation

Make virtual ports available for printers, registering virtual serial ports in Windows Registry so, that they can be selected in Add Printer Wizard

Drivers and binaries are signed by company certificate

Works on Windows 10 with UEFI and Secure Boot enabled

Virtual pair settings can be changed without the need of closing ports

Virtual pair can be deleted without the need of closing ports

Remove all virtual pairs in one click

Instantaneous ports creation lets working with them even before PnP manager detects the newly added ports

Virtual port properties window in device manager has a tab with port information and statistics

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

All Windows operating systems supported

Windows 7 32

Windows 7 64

Windows 10 32

Windows 10 64

Windows Server 2012 R2

Windows Server 2016

Free version available

no (trial)

No Net Framework required for GUI to run

Requesting Administrator privileges: start / GUI operation

Yes

You can enable automatic update of ports’ list, thus you can see pairs created in other user sessions

Possibility to change company in device name shown in Device Manager