Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

HKeys.app VS explainshell

Compare HKeys.app VS explainshell and see what are their differences

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HKeys.app logo HKeys.app

HKeys is a keyboard shortcut reference for the apps and operating systems you use every day. View hotkeys online organized by platform, or download a free printable PDF cheat sheet for any app.

explainshell logo explainshell

Match command-line arguments to their help.
  • HKeys.app Homepage โ€” Keyboard Shortcut Cheat Sheets
    Homepage โ€” Keyboard Shortcut Cheat Sheets //
    2026-06-14
  • HKeys.app App Catalog โ€” Apps and OS Shortcut Collections
    App Catalog โ€” Apps and OS Shortcut Collections //
    2026-06-14
  • HKeys.app VS Code Shortcuts for macOS โ€” Full Table View
    VS Code Shortcuts for macOS โ€” Full Table View //
    2026-06-14

HKeys is a keyboard shortcut reference for the apps and operating systems you use every day. It covers design, browsers, office, developer, communication, and productivity tools โ€” organized by platform so you always see the exact key combinations for your OS.

Every app page includes a platform switcher (macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, web) and multiple view modes (Full, Short, Icon). Browse the full catalog for free without creating an account. Create a free account to save favorites and download printable PDF cheat sheets for any app and platform.

  • explainshell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-08-07

HKeys.app

Website
hkeys.app
$ Details
free
Platforms
Web MacOS Windows Linux iOS Android Chrome OS
Release Date
2026 January
Startup details
Country
Georgia
State
Ajara
City
Batumi
Employees
1 - 9

HKeys.app features and specs

  • Shortcut Catalog
    Apps and operating systems covered
  • Platforms Covered
    macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, iPadOS, Android, ChromeOS, Web
  • PDF Cheat Sheets
    Printable PDF for every app and platform page
  • Platform Switcher
    Switch between macOS / Windows / Linux / iOS / Web per app
  • View Modes
    Full, Short, or Icon view for shortcut tables
  • Save Favorites
    Mark shortcuts for quick reference

explainshell features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Explainshell provides a clean and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users with different experience levels.
  • Command Line Breakdown
    It breaks down complex command-line statements into simpler parts, explaining each part's function in detail.
  • Educational Tool
    Serves as a great learning resource for beginners and intermediate users who want to understand shell commands in depth.
  • Library of Commands
    Leverages the extensive `man` page collection to provide detailed explanations of a wide variety of commands.
  • Web-Based Accessibility
    Being a web-based tool, it is accessible from any device with an internet connection, without needing any additional software installation.

Possible disadvantages of explainshell

  • Dependency on `man` Pages
    The tool relies on `man` pages for explanations, which might not cover all edge cases or the latest versions of commands.
  • Internet Requirement
    Requires an internet connection to use, limiting its accessibility in offline scenarios.
  • Limited to Shell Commands
    Focused solely on shell commands, it doesn't cover other scripting languages or programming environments.
  • No Live Execution
    Cannot execute commands or provide real-time feedback; it's purely an explanatory tool.
  • Potential Outdated Information
    The explanations might occasionally be based on older versions of `man` pages, potentially missing out on new features or changes.

Analysis of explainshell

Overall verdict

  • Explainshell is generally well-regarded and beneficial for users who work with shell commands. It simplifies understanding, reduces errors, and can be an invaluable learning resource.

Why this product is good

  • Explainshell is considered a good tool because it provides detailed explanations of shell commands by breaking them down into individual components and offering descriptions for each part. This can be incredibly helpful for both beginners learning how to use shell commands and experienced users looking to understand complex command structures. The service pulls in documentation from the man pages, making it a reliable and comprehensive resource.

Recommended for

  • Beginners looking to learn shell commands
  • Developers and system administrators who frequently use the command line
  • Anyone seeking to understand complex shell command structures
  • Learners improving their scripting and command-line skills

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to HKeys.app and explainshell)
Productivity
6 6%
94% 94
Education & Reference
100 100%
0% 0
Mac
0 0%
100% 100
Shortcuts
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing HKeys.app and explainshell.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

HKeys.app's answer

Professionals and power users who work across multiple apps and want to build faster, more efficient workflows. Designers, developers, students, writers, and anyone switching between tools or platforms who needs an accurate, quick shortcut reference โ€” without digging through documentation or app menus.

What's the story behind your product?

HKeys.app's answer

HKeys started as a personal frustration: shortcut references were scattered, platform-specific differences were ignored, and most cheat sheets were static PDFs that went out of date. HKeys was built to be the reference that actually works โ€” organized by app and platform, kept current, and free to access.

What makes your product unique?

HKeys.app's answer

HKeys organizes shortcuts by platform, not just by app. Most shortcut references give you one flat list โ€” HKeys gives you a separate, accurate page for each platform an app runs on (macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, web), because the key combinations are actually different. Every page also includes a platform switcher, multiple view modes (Full, Short, Icon), and a downloadable free PDF cheat sheet.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

HKeys.app's answer

HKeys covers a wide range of apps across every major platform in one place โ€” design tools, browsers, office apps, developer tools, communication and productivity apps, and operating systems. The catalog is free to browse without an account, shortcuts are organized per platform so you always see the right key combinations for your OS, and every page has a printable PDF cheat sheet available to free account holders.

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, explainshell seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 113 times since March 2021. 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.

HKeys.app mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of HKeys.app yet. Tracking of HKeys.app recommendations started around Jun 2026.

explainshell mentions (113)

  • Show HN: Shellock, a real-time CLI flag explainer for fish shell
    There is https://explainshell.com/ not in terminal but should do the trick. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • 15 bash scripts to automate boring DevOps tasks so you can go play Elden Ring instead
    Explainshell paste a bash command and it explains every part. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Linux for Non-Techies: A Simple Guide to Getting Comfortable
    Explainshell.com (Explains any Linux command). - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • If OpenSSL Were a GUI
    I've found this tool handy for faster-than-man explanations of various CLI invocations: https://explainshell.com/ Sadly, it hasn't been updated in years. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • The bash book to rule them all
    Https://explainshell.com/ also is good for explaining commands. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing HKeys.app and explainshell, you can also consider the following products

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Shortcuts.design - Every shortcut for designers in one place!

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