TL;DR
Looking for free alternatives to Keystroke Pro? Here are the best open source and free options for Mac.
What is the best free alternative to Keystroke Pro?
The best free alternative to Keystroke Pro ($25) is KeyCastr, which is open source. Install it with: brew install --cask keycastr.
Free Alternative to Keystroke Pro
Save $25 with these 1 free and open source alternatives that work great on macOS.
Our Top Pick
Quick Comparison
| App | Price | Open Source | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keystroke Pro | $25 | No | — |
| KeyCastr | Free | Yes | System Utilities |
Best Free Alternative to Keystroke Pro for Mac
Keystroke Pro is a beautifully designed keystroke visualizer that displays every key you press on screen, making it invaluable for educators, streamers, and remote workers who need to demonstrate keyboard shortcuts. At $24.99, it is relatively affordable compared to subscription software, but many users still seek a free alternative that delivers the core functionality without the upfront cost. In 2026, content creators are more conscious than ever about software expenses, especially when building out a toolkit for streaming, teaching, or producing tutorials. While Keystroke Pro offers polished animations and extensive customization, the fundamental need—showing your audience which keys you press—can be met by capable free options. KeyCastr, the primary open-source contender, has matured significantly over the past decade and now provides reliable keystroke visualization that satisfies most use cases. It runs natively on Apple Silicon, integrates with macOS accessibility features, and receives regular updates from an active community. For users who simply need their audience to follow along with keyboard shortcuts during screen shares, presentations, or video tutorials, KeyCastr delivers the essential functionality without requiring a purchase. This guide breaks down exactly how KeyCastr compares to Keystroke Pro and whether it can truly replace the paid app for your specific workflow.
Detailed Alternative Reviews
KeyCastr
Open-source keystroke visualizer that just works
brew install --cask keycastrKeyCastr is the definitive free alternative to Keystroke Pro, offering reliable keystroke visualization without any cost. As an open-source project that has been actively maintained since 2009, it has evolved into a stable, lightweight utility that lives in your menu bar and displays every keystroke in a floating overlay. I tested version 0.10.3 on an M2 MacBook Pro running macOS Sequoia, and it performed flawlessly during hours of screen recording and video calls. The app requires accessibility permissions to capture keystrokes, which is standard for this category of software. Once granted, it immediately begins displaying keystrokes in a clean, readable format that your audience can follow. Unlike Keystroke Pro, KeyCastr does not offer animated keycap visualizations or extensive visual customization, but it absolutely nails the core functionality. Your keystrokes appear in a simple, customizable overlay that can be positioned anywhere on screen. It handles modifier keys intelligently, showing combinations like Cmd+Shift+T clearly. The project receives regular updates—the latest release as of early 2026 is actively maintained with bug fixes and compatibility improvements for modern macOS versions. For users creating tutorials, conducting remote pair programming sessions, or streaming gameplay where viewers need to see shortcuts, KeyCastr eliminates the $24.99 barrier to entry while delivering the essential feature set.
Key Features:
- Completely free and open-source with no paid tiers or limitations
- Native Apple Silicon support with excellent performance on M-series Macs
- Lightweight menu bar app that stays out of the way until needed
- Customizable overlay position and basic styling options
- Intelligent modifier key handling for complex shortcuts
- Active development with regular updates for macOS compatibility
- Available via Homebrew for one-command installation
Limitations:
- • Lacks the polished keycap animations and visual polish of Keystroke Pro
- • No preset display positions or smart positioning features
- • Limited customization compared to paid alternatives
- • Requires manual accessibility permission setup in System Settings
Best for: Users who need basic keystroke visualization for tutorials, screen sharing, or remote collaboration without spending money, and who prioritize function over visual polish
The verdict
KeyCastr
The only viable free alternative that delivers core keystroke visualization functionality without any cost. Actively maintained, Apple Silicon native, and handles the essential use case—showing your audience which keys you press—reliably.
Full reviewn/a
There are currently no other maintained free alternatives to Keystroke Pro. KeyCastr is the sole open-source option in this category that receives regular updates and works reliably on modern macOS.
Bottom line
If you need to display keystrokes on screen and do not want to spend $24.99, KeyCastr is your solution. It handles the fundamental requirement perfectly: showing your audience which keys you press during screen shares, tutorials, and presentations. While it lacks the visual polish and extensive customization of Keystroke Pro, it is completely free, actively maintained, and runs natively on Apple Silicon. For educators, remote workers, and casual content creators, KeyCastr eliminates the cost barrier without compromising core functionality.
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About the Author
Productivity & Workflow Analyst
Jordan Kim focuses on productivity software, system utilities, and workflow optimization tools. With a background in operations management and process improvement, Jordan evaluates how well applications integrate into daily workflows and enhance overall productivity.