Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SharpKeys VS Strokeit

Compare SharpKeys VS Strokeit 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...

Strokeit logo Strokeit

StrokeIt is an advanced mouse gesture recognition engine and command processor.
  • SharpKeys Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-02
  • Strokeit Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-12-27

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.

Strokeit features and specs

  • Increased Productivity
    StrokeIt allows users to perform common tasks and commands with just a mouse gesture, thereby speeding up workflow and task execution.
  • Easy Customization
    Users can customize gestures to fit their specific needs, making it adaptable to various applications and personal preferences.
  • Wide Application Support
    The software supports a wide range of applications, allowing for gesture-based control across most of the tools and software used daily.
  • Low Resource Usage
    StrokeIt is lightweight and doesn't consume significant system resources, which makes it suitable for users with older or low-spec hardware.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The interface is straightforward and easy to navigate, making it accessible even to users who are not technologically proficient.

Possible disadvantages of Strokeit

  • Learning Curve
    New users may require some time to learn and remember the different gestures, which can be a barrier to initial productivity.
  • Gesture Recognition Accuracy
    Sometimes, gestures might not be recognized accurately, leading to unintentional command execution or no action.
  • Limited Platform Support
    StrokeIt primarily focuses on Windows operating systems, making it inaccessible to those who use macOS or Linux.
  • Potential Conflicts
    There might be conflicts with other software that uses mouse gestures or has similar functionality, causing unintended behavior.
  • Requires Manual Setup
    Users need to manually set up and define gestures for applications, which can be time-consuming and requires effort.

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

Strokeit videos

Strokeit

Category Popularity

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

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SharpKeys seems to be more popular. 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.

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
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Strokeit mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Strokeit yet. Tracking of Strokeit recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SharpKeys and Strokeit, 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

Easystroke - Easystroke is a gesture-recognition application for X11.

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.