Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SharpKeys VS Easystroke

Compare SharpKeys VS Easystroke and see what are their differences

SharpKeys logo SharpKeys

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

Easystroke logo Easystroke

Easystroke is a gesture-recognition application for X11.
  • SharpKeys Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-02
  • Easystroke Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-29

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.

Easystroke features and specs

  • Customizability
    Easystroke allows users to create and customize gestures for different actions, making it a flexible tool for personalizing user interfaces.
  • Efficiency
    By using gestures, users can quickly access applications and execute commands without having to navigate through menus, enhancing workflow efficiency.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, Easystroke allows users to inspect, modify, and contribute to the code, fostering a community-driven development approach.
  • Wide Compatibility
    Easystroke is compatible with various Linux desktop environments, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Possible disadvantages of Easystroke

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users may find it challenging to learn and remember gestures, especially if many are created for different applications and actions.
  • Limited Support
    As with many open-source projects, official support might be limited, requiring users to rely on community forums and documentation for troubleshooting.
  • Potential Conflicts
    Gestures could potentially conflict with existing shortcuts or application functionalities, causing confusion or unintended actions.
  • Dependence on X11
    Easystroke primarily depends on X11, which might cause limitations or require adjustments for those using Wayland or other display servers.

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.

SharpKeys videos

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

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Map Keys with SharpKeys

Easystroke videos

Easystroke

More videos:

  • Review - Ubuntu with Easystroke
  • Review - Jรก pensou em controlar seu PC assim? - Easystroke Gesture Recognition

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SharpKeys and Easystroke)
Automation
100 100%
0% 0
Document Automation
0 0%
100% 100
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0
Contract Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SharpKeys seems to be a lot more popular than Easystroke. While we know about 54 links to SharpKeys, we've tracked only 1 mention of Easystroke. 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 (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 / 14 days 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 / 2 months ago
  • Shortcut for rotating canvas by 15ยฐ 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 2 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 couldnโ€™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 isnโ€™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 canโ€™t do vertical taskbars. True. Easily fixed with Explorer Patcher, though. Which, ironically, is FOSS. > And... - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
View more

Easystroke mentions (1)

  • Fly-Pie, the marking menu extension for GNOME Shell, has been updated for GNOME Shell 40+ and now includes a WYSIWYG menu editor!
    There are multiple answers to this question: 1. On the one hand, Fly-Pie is primarily designed to be used with one hand at the keyboard and one hand at your mouse. Executing a simple shortcut like Super+Space with your left hand and then moving your mouse in a specific direction to simulate a complex shortcut like Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Left (which is impossible to press with one hand only) is a valid use case. 2. On the... Source: almost 5 years ago

What are some alternatives?

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

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

Gesturefy - Customizable mouse gesture addon, which supports over 40 different actions. Features:

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

Strokeit - StrokeIt is an advanced mouse gesture recognition engine and command processor.

Microsoft keyboard layout creator - Edit the windows keyboard layout.

TabBack - Switch between Safari tabs seamlesslyโ€”even during loadingโ€”with intuitive key-bindings and privacy-centric design.