Microsoft keyboard layout creator vs Karabiner Elements

Struggling to choose between Microsoft keyboard layout creator and Karabiner Elements? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Microsoft keyboard layout creator is a Office & Productivity solution with tags like keyboard, layout, language, localization, typing, accessibility.

It boasts features such as Create custom keyboard layouts for any language, Visually design keyboard layout and see changes in real-time, Test new keyboard layouts before deploying, Generate keyboard layout installer for distribution, Support for different keyboard types (QWERTY, DVORAK, etc), Advanced options for dead keys, diacritics, alt+key shortcuts, Export layout data files for sharing and pros including Free and easy to use, Intuitive visual interface, No programming knowledge required, Works for any language script, Testing allows refinement before deployment, Customizable for special needs.

On the other hand, Karabiner Elements is a Os & Utilities product tagged with keyboard, customization, remapping, macros, shortcuts.

Its standout features include Remap keys and buttons, Create complex custom keyboard shortcuts, Change key behaviors like key repeat rate, Simple rules editor to create modifications, Supports common keyboards and pointing devices, and it shines with pros like Powerful customization options, Intuitive interface, Active development and updates, Free and open source.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Microsoft keyboard layout creator

Microsoft keyboard layout creator

Microsoft keyboard layout creator is a free tool from Microsoft that allows you to visually design and test custom keyboard layouts. You can fully customize the keyboard to suit different languages or special purposes.

Categories:
keyboard layout language localization typing accessibility

Microsoft keyboard layout creator Features

  1. Create custom keyboard layouts for any language
  2. Visually design keyboard layout and see changes in real-time
  3. Test new keyboard layouts before deploying
  4. Generate keyboard layout installer for distribution
  5. Support for different keyboard types (QWERTY, DVORAK, etc)
  6. Advanced options for dead keys, diacritics, alt+key shortcuts
  7. Export layout data files for sharing

Pricing

  • Free

Pros

Free and easy to use

Intuitive visual interface

No programming knowledge required

Works for any language script

Testing allows refinement before deployment

Customizable for special needs

Cons

Limited to remapping keys

Cannot create completely new keyboard types

Advanced features may require learning curve

Limited documentation and community support

Windows only, no cross-platform support


Karabiner Elements

Karabiner Elements

Karabiner Elements is a powerful keyboard customization tool for macOS that allows you to customize and remap keys, modify key behaviors, and create complex macros and shortcuts.

Categories:
keyboard customization remapping macros shortcuts

Karabiner Elements Features

  1. Remap keys and buttons
  2. Create complex custom keyboard shortcuts
  3. Change key behaviors like key repeat rate
  4. Simple rules editor to create modifications
  5. Supports common keyboards and pointing devices

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Powerful customization options

Intuitive interface

Active development and updates

Free and open source

Cons

Steep learning curve

Manual editing of JSON files required for advanced features

Limited to macOS platform only