Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SharpKeys VS BTT Remote

Compare SharpKeys VS BTT Remote and see what are their differences

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SharpKeys logo SharpKeys

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

BTT Remote logo BTT Remote

A remote control for you Mac, using your iPhone or iPad
  • SharpKeys Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-02
  • BTT Remote Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-02

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.

BTT Remote features and specs

  • Customizability
    BTT Remote offers extensive options for customization, allowing users to tailor the app to their exact needs and preferences. This includes custom gestures, shortcuts, and actions.
  • Integration
    The app seamlessly integrates with macOS and various applications, providing enhanced control over system functions and third-party software through shortcuts and automation.
  • Productivity
    By automating repetitive tasks and providing quick access to commonly used functions, BTT Remote can significantly boost productivity for users.
  • Ease of Use
    Despite its advanced features, BTT Remote is designed to be user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that makes it accessible even to less tech-savvy users.
  • Support
    The app enjoys good support and regular updates from its developers, ensuring any bugs are quickly addressed and new features are continuously added.

Possible disadvantages of BTT Remote

  • Learning Curve
    Due to the wide range of options and configurations available, new users may experience a steep learning curve before they can fully utilize all of BTT Remote's features.
  • Performance
    In some cases, running BTT Remote can slightly impact system performance, particularly if many custom actions and scripts are running simultaneously.
  • Cost
    While certainly packed with features, BTT Remote is a paid app, and the cost might deter some potential users who are looking for free alternatives.
  • Reliability
    Users have reported occasional reliability issues, such as the app not responding or certain gestures not working as intended, although these are typically addressed in updates.
  • Complexity for Basic Users
    For users who only need basic remote control functions, BTT Remote might be overkill, as its advanced features can make the app seem unnecessarily complex.

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.

Analysis of BTT Remote

Overall verdict

  • Yes, BTT Remote is a good tool for those who enjoy customizing their workflow on macOS. It provides a high level of customization that can significantly enhance the Mac experience.

Why this product is good

  • BTT Remote by folivora.ai is considered a good application because it extends the functionality of the Mac through customizable touch gestures, shortcuts, and actions. It enhances user productivity by allowing complete control over macOS settings, applications, and features from a mobile device. The app is well-regarded for its flexibility, user-friendly interface, and ability to save time by streamlining tasks.

Recommended for

  • Users who frequently use their Mac for work or creative projects and desire more productivity-enhancing features.
  • Individuals who appreciate customizable interfaces and workflows.
  • Tech-savvy users who enjoy creating personalized commands and gestures.
  • Mac users looking for greater control over their system and applications from mobile devices.

SharpKeys videos

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

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Map Keys with SharpKeys

BTT Remote videos

BTT Remote im Videotest

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SharpKeys and BTT Remote)
Automation
58 58%
42% 42
Window Manager
0 0%
100% 100
Windows Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Mac Tools
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, BTT Remote should be more popular than SharpKeys. It has been mentiond 186 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.

SharpKeys mentions (52)

  • 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: over 1 year 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 / over 1 year 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 / over 1 year ago
  • Learn AutoHotKey by stealing my scripts
    Remapping Capslock to Control: Windows: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys Ubuntu Linux (don't know about other Linuxes): /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/pc
        key  { [ Caps_Lock  ] };
    . - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Setup Media Key shortcuts
    SharpKeys: available in the Microsoft Store. Or you can get it here: https://www.randyrants.com/category/sharpkeys/ or here: https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

BTT Remote mentions (186)

  • macOS Tips and Tricks
    Other good windows management options are Hammerspoon and BetterTouchTool: https://www.hammerspoon.org/Spoons/MiroWindowsManager.html https://folivora.ai/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • A collection of useful Mac Apps
    BetterTouchTool - Price: $15+ with a free trial Customizable gestures and shortcuts (also a BTT Remote, $5). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • How do you Mac users stand that stupid apple mouse?!
    Third party mouse is the way to go, but BetterTouchTool is a great software alternative. You can turn the scrolling off per app. And it has a lot of other great features. https://folivora.ai. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • An Open Source Mouse and Trackpad Utility for Mac
    > Unpopular opinion, but I like the Magic Mouse I've always liked the Magic Mouse. > The thing with the Magic Mouse is the touch sensor on top! Being able to swipe and scroll horizontally and vertically This is such an underrated feature; I use it constantly. But there's more it can do; Better Touch Tool lets you configure gestures to your heart's content [1]. [1]: https://folivora.ai. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Gaming Mouse with functionality on Apple Silicon
    I use BetterTouchTool to customize my mouse. That tool is amazing, it offers so much more functionality than that, including window management. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SharpKeys and BTT Remote, you can also consider the following products

Karabiner - Karabiner, previously called KeyRemap4MacBook, is a very powerful keyboard remapper for Mac OS X.

Rectangle - Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Key Manager - ATNSOFT Key Manager, Key Remapper, Text Paster

X-Mouse Button Control - XMouse Button Control (XMBC) allows you to create application and window specific profiles.

yabai - A tiling window manager for macOS based on binary space partitioning

Microsoft keyboard layout creator - Edit the windows keyboard layout.