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SharpKeys VS OpenRazer

Compare SharpKeys VS OpenRazer and see what are their differences

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Modern PSA and RMM Software for MSP's and IT Teams featured
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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...

OpenRazer logo OpenRazer

An entirely open source driver and user-space daemon that allows you to manage your Razer peripherals on GNU/Linux.
  • SharpKeys Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-02
  • OpenRazer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-20

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.

OpenRazer features and specs

  • Open Source
    OpenRazer is open-source software, allowing users to view, modify, and contribute to the code, fostering community collaboration and transparency.
  • Wide Device Support
    It supports a broad range of Razer devices, providing unified and comprehensive control over various hardware components.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    OpenRazer works on Linux distributions, offering customization options for Razer hardware to Linux users who otherwise have limited options.
  • Community-Driven
    Supported and improved by a community of enthusiasts, it often has quick updates and new feature implementations based on user feedback.
  • Customizable
    Allows for extensive customization of device settings, from lighting effects to key bindings, enhancing the user experience uniquely.

Possible disadvantages of OpenRazer

  • Limited Official Support
    Being community-driven means there's no official support channel, which can lead to longer resolution times for issues.
  • Complex Setup
    Installation and configuration can be complex, especially for users not familiar with Linux command-line operations.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    As with many open-source projects, there may be occasional bugs or stability problems, impacting usability until patches are released.
  • Inconsistent Updates
    Update frequency can vary, largely depending on community activity and contributions, possibly leading to delays in supporting new devices.
  • Not Fully Comprehensive
    While it covers a wide range of Razer devices, not every feature available in official Razer software for other platforms may be present.

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

+ Add

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

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Map Keys with SharpKeys

OpenRazer videos

No OpenRazer videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SharpKeys and OpenRazer)

SharpKeys

OpenRazer

Automation
67 67%
Automation
33% 33
Note Taking
51 51%
Note Taking
49% 49
Windows Tools
100 100%
Windows Tools
0% 0
Gaming
0 0%
Gaming
100% 100

User comments

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

Based on our record, SharpKeys should be more popular than OpenRazer. It has been mentiond 52 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: almost 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 couldn’t, but that I tried and it worked. Long time since I last used Windows though. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 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 2 years 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 / about 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: over 2 years ago
View more

OpenRazer mentions (27)

  • Why the hell do Gaming Hardware brands make drivers for Mac, but not for Linux?
    So if a very skilled developer reverse engineer a driver for some brands (OpenRazer as an example), I feel better about it especially if it's open source. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Razor setup.exe GUI - steam deck
    Why are you trying to run a setup.exe? For linux there's Open Razer. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Razer mouse does not charge (on dock) when computer is locked but powered on and not suspended.
    What a interesting device. As I searching I found mousepad has different device id than mouse itself. This driver may solve your problems. If problem continues could you please share system info with upload-system-info from terminal and sudo lspci -v. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Dead by Daylight's Steam Deck Support is Official. Confirmed to Us by Behaviour Interactive.
    Yeah I would take piper over any of that bloated peripheral software anyway, gets the job done. There's also other community projects like OpenRazer. For a keyboard I grabbed a System76 Launch, it's a bit pricey but it's super nice and fully customizable via an appimage. Source: over 2 years ago
  • razer mouse not working...
    Try installing OpenRazer, it depends on your distro how exactly, Arch has it in the AUR. Follow the installation path (adding user to plugdev group etc). Using it myself along with Polychromatic on a Viper V2 Pro. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

OpenRGB - OpenRGB is an all-in-one network-based software development kit that allows you to use third-party software to control all of your RGB.

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

Razer Synapse - Razer Synapse is unified configuration software that allows users to rebind controls or assign...

Microsoft keyboard layout creator - Edit the windows keyboard layout.

Artemis RGB - An overview of the guides that'll teach you how to use Artemis

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