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.

Feature	Microsoft keyboard layout creator	Karabiner Elements
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Office & Productivity	Os & Utilities

Product Overview

Microsoft keyboard layout creator

Description: 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.

Karabiner Elements

Description: 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.

Key Features Comparison

Microsoft keyboard layout creator Features

• 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

Karabiner Elements Features

• 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

Pros & Cons Analysis

Microsoft keyboard layout creator

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

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

Pricing Comparison

Microsoft keyboard layout creator

• Free

Karabiner Elements

• Open Source