keyd VS SharpKeys

Compare keyd VS SharpKeys and see what are their differences

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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).

SharpKeys

SharpKeys is a utility that manages a Registry key that allows Windows to remap one key to any...

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2022-11-02

keyd

Website: github.com

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SharpKeys

Website: github.com

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keyd features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

SharpKeys features and specs

Open Source
SharpKeys is available on GitHub, which means it is open source. This allows users to inspect the code, contribute to development, or customize it for their needs.
Free of Cost
SharpKeys is entirely free to use, making it accessible to anyone without the need for a commercial license.
Simple User Interface
The interface is straightforward and easy to use, which makes the process of remapping keys simple even for non-technical users.
Registry-Based Remapping
SharpKeys makes changes directly to the Windows registry, ensuring that the remapped keys work across all applications without the need for additional software running in the background.
Minimal Resource Usage
Because SharpKeys modifies the registry rather than running a constant background process, it uses minimal system resources.
Portability
Once the registry changes are made, SharpKeys does not need to remain installed on the system, making it a lightweight, one-time-use tool.

Possible disadvantages of SharpKeys

Windows Only
SharpKeys is designed to work exclusively on Windows operating systems, which limits its usability for users on macOS, Linux, or other platforms.
Limited to Registry
The tool operates by modifying the Windows registry, so it cannot handle complex remapping scenarios that need real-time processing, such as conditional key mappings.
No Advanced Features
SharpKeys lacks advanced features found in more sophisticated key remapping software, such as macro recording, multi-key remapping, or application-specific profiles.
Requires Admin Rights
Since changes are made to the Windows registry, administrative privileges are required, which might be restrictive in some organizational environments.
Potential for Errors
Incorrect registry changes could potentially lead to system instability or errors, especially for users who are not familiar with the Windows registry.
Reboot Required
For registry changes to take effect, a system reboot is necessary, which can be inconvenient for users needing immediate results.

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

Analysis of SharpKeys

Overall verdict

SharpKeys is generally considered a good tool for users who need an easy and effective way to remap keys on Windows. It has a straightforward interface and does not require advanced technical skills to use, making it accessible to a wide range of users. It is also open-source and has a supportive community on GitHub, which contributes to its reliability and improvement over time.

Why this product is good

SharpKeys is a utility that allows users to remap keys on their Windows keyboards. It modifies the Windows Registry to achieve this, which is particularly useful for users who want to change the function of a specific key, disable a key, or swap keys to better match their personal typing preferences or overcome keyboard limitations.

Recommended for

SharpKeys is recommended for Windows users who need to customize their keyboard layout, such as programmers, writers, or anyone who frequently uses specific key combinations. It is also suitable for users who want to disable keys that are accidentally pressed often, such as Caps Lock or Insert, as well as those who want to swap keys for ergonomic reasons or due to a damaged key on their keyboard.

keyd videos

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SharpKeys videos

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[Windows] Changing Modifier Keys Using SharpKeys | Reassigning Modifier Keys & SharpKeys Tutorial

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to keyd and SharpKeys)

keyd

SharpKeys

Automation

24 24%

Automation

76% 76

Note Taking

31 31%

Note Taking

69% 69

Windows Tools

35 35%

Windows Tools

65% 65

Scripts

22 22%

Scripts

78% 78

User comments

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SharpKeys should be more popular than keyd. It has been mentiond 54 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

SharpKeys mentions (54)

Keychron announces first open-source firmware for gaming mice
Just remap it! If you're on Windows, SharpKeys will do that for you. https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
I Hate (Most) Keyboard 'Fn' Keys
You can remap the keys so that "Special: Power" key button does nothing.. Or even to the original function (on my keyboard it would mean Volume Down would be F12 instead). One Windows software to do that: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys / https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/xpffcg7m673d4f?hl=en-US On Linux, heck it's Linux, for sure it's doable. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
Shortcut for rotating canvas by 15° left or right without a mouse
I don't like using my mouse while drawing and I couldn't find how to do this anywhere, but luckily when I was about to give up I achieved it! So, for this you'll need a program called SharpKeys. You can download it here: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys/. Source: almost 3 years ago
Caps Lock Behaviour Disabled in Gnome
Sharpkeys can swap keys, the readme says as much: > Things that SharpKeys will do: > ... > Allow you to swap two keys with each other - e.g. You can swap Left Windows with Left Control and vice versa I do have a vague recollection of Sharpkeys previously saying that it couldn’t, but that I tried and it worked. Long time since I last used Windows though. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
Total Commander
> Total commander isn’t FOSS. I'm aware of that. There are lots of FOSS equivalents, though. Including, I believe, on Windows. Wikipedia lists 23 of which I think -- haven't checked -- the majority are FOSS. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_manager#Orthodox_file_managers > Ironically windows 11 can’t do vertical taskbars. True. Easily fixed with Explorer Patcher, though. Which, ironically, is FOSS. > And... - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago