Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Vimac VS Shortcat

Compare Vimac VS Shortcat and see what are their differences

Vimac logo Vimac

Like Vimium but for macOS.

Shortcat logo Shortcat

Keep your hands on the keyboard and boost your productivity! Shortcat is a keyboard tool for Mac OS X that lets you 'click' buttons and control your apps with a few keystrokes. Think of it as Spotlight for the user interface.
  • Vimac Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-27
  • Shortcat Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-28

Vimac features and specs

  • Efficiency
    Vimac enhances productivity by allowing users to execute macOS actions quickly through keyboard shortcuts, reducing reliance on the mouse.
  • Customization
    Users can customize keyboard shortcuts and settings to match their workflow, providing a personalized experience.
  • Accessibility
    The app can make macOS more accessible to users with physical limitations by offering alternative ways to interact with the system.
  • Integration
    Vimac integrates seamlessly with many macOS applications, allowing users to navigate and control them efficiently.

Possible disadvantages of Vimac

  • Learning Curve
    New users might find the keyboard-centric interface challenging at first, requiring time to become proficient with all the features.
  • Limited to macOS
    Vimac is designed specifically for macOS, restricting its benefits to users of this operating system only.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    Some macOS updates or specific applications may not work perfectly with Vimac, leading to occasional compatibility issues.
  • Dependency
    Users might become overly reliant on Vimac shortcuts, which could create difficulties when using different systems without Vimac.

Shortcat features and specs

  • Efficiency
    Shortcat allows users to quickly find and execute commands using keyboard shortcuts, minimizing the need for mouse usage and speeding up workflow.
  • Accessibility
    By reducing reliance on the mouse, Shortcat makes it easier for individuals with mobility impairments to navigate macOS applications.
  • Customization
    Users have the ability to customize shortcuts and create their own workflows, tailoring the tool to their specific needs and preferences.
  • Integration
    Shortcat integrates seamlessly with most macOS applications, allowing for a consistent user experience across different software environments.
  • Learning Curve
    The tool is relatively easy to learn for those familiar with keyboard shortcuts, providing intuitive guidance and help features.

Possible disadvantages of Shortcat

  • Limited Platform
    Shortcat is only available for macOS, leaving out Windows and Linux users who might benefit from similar functionality.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some users may experience compatibility issues with certain applications, reducing the effectiveness of the tool in specific contexts.
  • Learning Curve
    For users who are not accustomed to using keyboard shortcuts, there might be a steeper learning curve that could initially slow down productivity.
  • Reliability
    In some cases, users may encounter bugs or glitches, which can interrupt workflows and undermine confidence in the tool's reliability.
  • Cost
    As a premium software, Shortcat requires a purchase, which might be a barrier for users looking for a free alternative.

Vimac videos

Vimac - Use Keyboard to Click with Hints - Keyboard Junkie on Mac

Shortcat videos

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

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Vimac and Shortcat)
Web Browsers
38 38%
62% 62
Text Editors
34 34%
66% 66
Web Development Tools
43 43%
57% 57
Web Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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

Based on our record, Shortcat should be more popular than Vimac. It has been mentiond 32 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.

Vimac mentions (15)

  • Vim Keybindings Everywhere – The Ultimate List
    If you like vimium, there's an app called Vimac that's like vimium but for macOS. So you can control all kinds of apps with they keyboard like in vimium. https://vimacapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • I made a Mac productivity app that helps you click on buttons & links with the keyboard
    It is inspired by Vimium! In fact, when I when 17, I made Vimac (https://vimacapp.com) because I had wrist pain from a semester of using the trackpad to do Figma + Photoshop, and really wished there was Vimium for the entire OS. Few years later now, I've reworked the workflow incorporating the lessons I've learned and called it Homerow. Source: over 2 years ago
  • I made a Mac productivity app that helps you click on buttons & links with the keyboard
    P.S. I also made Vimac (https://vimacapp.com) a few years back. Homerow is a more polished and performant version of Vimac, taking into account all the things I learned from its predecessor. Source: over 2 years ago
  • What features is Gnome missing according to you
    I would like to have an equivalent to vimac. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Shortcat.app to ditch your mouse
    It is definitely a more intuitive app than Vimac. Source: almost 3 years ago
View more

Shortcat mentions (32)

  • Show HN: My LLM CLI tool can run tools now, from Python code or plugins
    Do local multimodal llms have low latency? If it can plug into monitor video stream and the accessibility representation of UI (like Shortcat), it could answer if a printer is connected to the computer and preview a full page print and wait for us to hit print. https://shortcat.app/. - Source: Hacker News / 9 days ago
  • macOS Tips and Tricks
    Shortcat basically does this. It indexes a lot of native AX APIs and also menu items https://shortcat.app. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • macOS Tips and Tricks
    I love Shortcat (https://shortcat.app/). It lets you do almost anything on your screen without having to leave your keyboard. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • A mouseless tale: trying for a keyboard-driven desktop
    You might be thinking of [Shortcat](https://shortcat.app). I've been using it for a while and it mostly works but doesn't seem as polished as Homerow. Going to give that one a try now. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Nyxt: The Hacker's Browser
    This is a timely coincidence for me. I started using yesterday Shortcat [1] for the Mac, and I'm very pleased. It gives you access to pretty much everything with the keyboard, not just the browser. To be fair, Nyxt provides other features such as scripting. [1] https://shortcat.app/. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Vimac and Shortcat, you can also consider the following products

Vimium - The Hacker's Browser.

Vieb - Browse the web with Vim-bindings

hunt-n-peck - Simple vimium/vimperator style navigation for Windows applications based on the UI Automation...

cVim - An extension adding Vim-like bindings to Google Chrome.

Tridactyl - Replace Firefox's default control mechanism with one modelled on the one true editor, Vim.

Surfingkeys - Rich shortcuts to click links/switch tabs/scroll pages or capture full page, use Chrome like vim for productivity.