Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

conkeror VS Shortcat

Compare conkeror VS Shortcat and see what are their differences

conkeror logo conkeror

Conkeror is a keyboard-oriented, highly-customizable, highly-extensible web browser based on...

Shortcat logo Shortcat

Keep your hands on the keyboard and boost your productivity! Shortcat is a keyboard tool for Mac OS X that lets you 'click' buttons and control your apps with a few keystrokes. Think of it as Spotlight for the user interface.
  • conkeror Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-08-02
  • Shortcat Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-28

conkeror features and specs

  • Keyboard-Centric Navigation
    Conkeror offers a keyboard-driven interface inspired by Emacs, allowing for efficient navigation and interaction without needing a mouse.
  • Customizability
    Users can extensively customize Conkeror's behavior and appearance through JavaScript and XUL, tailoring it to specific needs and preferences.
  • Minimalist Interface
    The browser features a clean and minimal interface that emphasizes content over browser chrome, reducing distractions.
  • Built on Mozilla Platform
    As it is built on the Mozilla platform, it benefits from the security and rendering capabilities of Firefox.

Possible disadvantages of conkeror

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its reliance on keyboard shortcuts and Emacs-style command inputs, new users may find it challenging to learn and use efficiently.
  • Development Stagnation
    Development and updates have slowed down significantly, which may affect compatibility with newer web technologies and security updates.
  • Limited Extension Support
    Compared to more mainstream browsers, Conkeror has limited support for modern web standards and browser extensions.
  • Niche User Base
    Its unique approach and interface cater to a niche audience, making community support and third-party resources less abundant.

Shortcat features and specs

  • Efficiency
    Shortcat allows users to quickly find and execute commands using keyboard shortcuts, minimizing the need for mouse usage and speeding up workflow.
  • Accessibility
    By reducing reliance on the mouse, Shortcat makes it easier for individuals with mobility impairments to navigate macOS applications.
  • Customization
    Users have the ability to customize shortcuts and create their own workflows, tailoring the tool to their specific needs and preferences.
  • Integration
    Shortcat integrates seamlessly with most macOS applications, allowing for a consistent user experience across different software environments.
  • Learning Curve
    The tool is relatively easy to learn for those familiar with keyboard shortcuts, providing intuitive guidance and help features.

Possible disadvantages of Shortcat

  • Limited Platform
    Shortcat is only available for macOS, leaving out Windows and Linux users who might benefit from similar functionality.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some users may experience compatibility issues with certain applications, reducing the effectiveness of the tool in specific contexts.
  • Learning Curve
    For users who are not accustomed to using keyboard shortcuts, there might be a steeper learning curve that could initially slow down productivity.
  • Reliability
    In some cases, users may encounter bugs or glitches, which can interrupt workflows and undermine confidence in the tool's reliability.
  • Cost
    As a premium software, Shortcat requires a purchase, which might be a barrier for users looking for a free alternative.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to conkeror and Shortcat)
Web Browsers
22 22%
78% 78
Text Editors
17 17%
83% 83
Web Development Tools
28 28%
72% 72
Web Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using conkeror and Shortcat. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Shortcat seems to be a lot more popular than conkeror. While we know about 34 links to Shortcat, we've tracked only 3 mentions of conkeror. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

conkeror mentions (3)

Shortcat mentions (34)

  • I tried Servo, the undercover web browser engine made with Rust
    I'm no UX expert, but I regularly try out new (and old) toolkits to understand the problem space. It really sounds like you want an immediate mode toolkit. Retained mode will never be "super-snappy", there's an entire sandwich between your code and the pixels. Look at Blender or Reaper, this is the kind of "feel" you'd be getting. If you want retained mode + "true" native widgets on all platforms, investigate:... - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • Selfish reasons for building accessible UIs
    Shortcat in Mac and Tridactyl in Firefox uses accessibility annotations to pick up clickable elements and help navigate using only keyboard. In future, we could have local AI agents that could use the same and solve "why is my printer not available"? https://shortcat.app/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Show HN: My LLM CLI tool can run tools now, from Python code or plugins
    Do local multimodal llms have low latency? If it can plug into monitor video stream and the accessibility representation of UI (like Shortcat), it could answer if a printer is connected to the computer and preview a full page print and wait for us to hit print. https://shortcat.app/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • macOS Tips and Tricks
    Shortcat basically does this. It indexes a lot of native AX APIs and also menu items https://shortcat.app. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • macOS Tips and Tricks
    I love Shortcat (https://shortcat.app/). It lets you do almost anything on your screen without having to leave your keyboard. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing conkeror and Shortcat, you can also consider the following products

Vieb - Browse the web with Vim-bindings

Vimium - The Hacker's Browser.

cVim - An extension adding Vim-like bindings to Google Chrome.

Vimac - Like Vimium but for macOS.

Surfingkeys - Rich shortcuts to click links/switch tabs/scroll pages or capture full page, use Chrome like vim for productivity.

hunt-n-peck - Simple vimium/vimperator style navigation for Windows applications based on the UI Automation...