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TouchCursor VS SharpKeys

Compare TouchCursor VS SharpKeys and see what are their differences

TouchCursor

TouchCursor - Cursor keys for touch typists

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Alternatives Is it good?
SharpKeys

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

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
Tempreon
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Which is more popular?

Based on our record, SharpKeys should be more popular than TouchCursor. It has been mentioned 54 times since March 2021.

social mentions
10 vs 54
Note Taking popularity
23% vs 77%
alternatives listed
10 vs 63

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

TouchCursor
SharpKeys
Website martin-stone.github.io github.com
Pricing
Open source
—
Listed in
Note Taking Automation Windows Tools Mac Tools +1
Automation Windows Tools Scripts Note Taking +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

TouchCursor 0 features
SharpKeys 6 features

No features have been listed yet.

  • 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

  • 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

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

TouchCursor
SharpKeys

Overall verdict

  • TouchCursor is a solid, lightweight utility that lets you navigate and edit text without leaving the home row by turning keys like IJKL into arrow keys when a modifier (typically the spacebar) is held. It's free, open source, and highly configurable, making it a favorite among productivity-focused typists.

Why this product is good

  • Free and open source, with no cost or licensing hassles
  • Keeps your hands on the home row, reducing the need to reach for arrow keys or the mouse
  • Highly customizable key mappings and activation keys
  • Lightweight and runs quietly in the background with minimal resource usage
  • Improves typing efficiency and can help reduce hand strain over time

Recommended for

  • Touch typists who want to minimize hand movement
  • Programmers and writers who do a lot of text navigation and editing
  • Windows users looking for a free keyboard productivity tool
  • People with ergonomic concerns who want to avoid reaching for arrow keys
  • Power users who enjoy customizing their keyboard workflow

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.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

TouchCursor 1 video + Add
SharpKeys 2 videos + Add

TouchCursor demo

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

More videos

  • - How to Map Keys with SharpKeys

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
TouchCursor
SharpKeys
23% 23%
Note Taking
77% 77%
9% 9%
Automation
91% 91%
100% 100%
Mac Tools
0% 0%
17% 17%
Windows Tools
83% 83%

User comments

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

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

TouchCursor 10 mentions
SharpKeys 54 mentions
  • Problem with TouchCursor for PC
    Has anyone gotten TouchCursor's (TouchCursor - Cursor keys for touch typists (martin-stone.github.io) function to disable using certain programs? It just doesn't work at all for me whether I use the crosshair thing or just manually enter... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Has anyone here used UCIEA or variants?
    If you're on Windows, do have a look at TouchCursor and / or SpaceFN. They basically allow you to use the spacebar for anything you're doing with AltGr - so much more efficient. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • German Qwerty Keyboard?
    Use TouchCursor. It will greatly boost your general productivity and you can access special characters like Umlaute by using the spacebar as a modifier. Source: almost 4 years ago

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  • 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 / 3 months 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:... - Source: Hacker News / 4 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:... Source: almost 3 years ago

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Alternatives to TouchCursor and SharpKeys

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

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