keyd VS Key Remapper

keyd

Linux lacks a good key remapping solution. In order to achieve satisfactory results a medley of tools need to be employed (e.g xcape, xmodmap) with the end result often being tethered to a specified environment (X11).

Key Remapper

Intended for remapping keys, mouse buttons and mouse wheel actions, Key Remapper allows you to:

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Landing page //
2022-05-02

keyd

Website: github.com

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Key Remapper

Website: atnsoft.com

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keyd features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

Key Remapper features and specs

Customization
Key Remapper allows extensive customization of keyboard and mouse button functions, enabling users to tailor their input devices to meet specific needs.
User-Friendly Interface
The software provides an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible to users of all technical levels.
Versatility
It supports remapping not just for keyboards but also for mouse buttons and even joystick buttons, providing versatile functionality.
Profiles
Users can create multiple profiles to switch between different key mappings easily, catering to different applications or tasks.
Lightweight
Key Remapper is a lightweight application that consumes minimal system resources, ensuring smooth operation even on older hardware.

Possible disadvantages of Key Remapper

Limited Free Version
The free version of Key Remapper comes with limitations on the number of mappings and other features, which may not suffice for all users.
Windows Only
Key Remapper is only available for Windows systems, leaving users of other operating systems out.
Occasional Compatibility Issues
There might be compatibility issues with certain software or hardware, requiring manual workarounds in some situations.
Steeper Learning Curve for Advanced Features
While the basic functionality is easy to use, more complex remapping can have a steeper learning curve for new users.
Potential for Conflicts
Incorrect or conflicting mappings can lead to unexpected behavior, necessitating a careful setup and testing process.

Analysis of keyd

Overall verdict

keyd is a highly regarded, open-source key remapping daemon for Linux that operates at a low level to provide fast, reliable, and application-agnostic keyboard customization. It is considered excellent for users needing powerful, system-wide key remapping without relying on desktop environment or X11-specific tools.

Why this product is good

Works at the kernel/evdev level, so remappings apply system-wide across X11, Wayland, and the console
Supports advanced features like layers, dual-function keys (tap vs hold), and QMK-style configuration
Lightweight, fast, and has minimal latency since it operates as a low-level daemon
Simple, human-readable configuration files that are easy to manage and share
Free and open-source with an active community and responsive maintainers
Independent of display server, making it a robust solution for Wayland users where many remapping tools fall short

Recommended for

Linux power users who want deep, system-wide keyboard customization
Wayland users who need remapping tools that work outside of X11
People who want QMK-like functionality (layers, dual-role keys) without custom firmware
Developers and vim/emacs enthusiasts who rely on heavily customized key bindings
Users of laptops or standard keyboards wanting to remap keys without hardware-level programming

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Key Remapper - a first look

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to keyd and Key Remapper)

keyd

Key Remapper

Automation

55 55%

Automation

45% 45

Windows Tools

63 63%

Windows Tools

37% 37

Note Taking

63 63%

Note Taking

37% 37

Scripts

50 50%

Scripts

50% 50

User comments

Share your experience with using keyd and Key Remapper. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, keyd should be more popular than Key Remapper. It has been mentiond 6 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.

keyd mentions (6)

I Thought I Wanted System-Wide Vim. I Actually Wanted Arrow Keys on the Home Row
If all you want is the navigation layer, I recommend keyd. Its configuration is dead simple to read, understand, and edit:. - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
From ANSI to Ergo: Remapping the Transition
Keyd: A highly efficient keyboard remapping daemon for Linux. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
Why TUIs Are Back
I remap Caps Lock to Ctrl when held and to Esc when pressed - the best of both worlds. https://github.com/rvaiya/keyd works really well for me on Linux, but there is a similar software on MacOS. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
Separating the Wayland Compositor and Window Manager
Lots of weird misinformation in the comments here. Wayland doesn't choose anything. It leaves the compositor to decide where to position a window and whether or not that window receives key presses or not. The program can't draw wherever it wants or receive system wide keystrokes or on behalf of another program. When appropriately implemented the screenshot system is built directly into the compositor. It's an API... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
Ask HN: Where to Begin with "Modern" Emacs?
> as far as I can tell, no operating system does this in a way that really works besides OSX AFAIK this is an easy setting in desktop environments such as Cosmic, Gnome, and KDE. But I've been using keyd on Linux distros for a while: https://github.com/rvaiya/keyd#quickstart Using the config in the above example results in Caps Lock acting as Esc if used on its own or as Ctrl if it's held down. - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago

Key Remapper mentions (3)

free tools to remap keys for games
Keyremapper: There is also keyremapper (https://atnsoft.com/keyremapper/), which I've also used from time to time. Source: about 4 years ago
remap mouse right click to numbers?
Well I did find this, https://atnsoft.com/keyremapper/. Source: over 4 years ago
Looking for help with connecting steering wheel for tank driving
Ehh doubtful google whatever wheel you got followed by "drivers" but even if that doesn't exist there are third party tools you can potentially try like key remapper: https://atnsoft.com/keyremapper/. Source: almost 5 years ago