| App | Where you practise | Runs on | Price | Shows the right finger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tactomo | On top of any app you type in, and in its own practice hub | Mac | 7 days free, then a one-time price | Animated hands and finger colors, live as you type |
| KeyKey | Its own app window | Mac | Paid | Finger and key hints on an on-screen keyboard |
| Master of Typing | Its own app window | Mac | Free to download, lessons unlocked with in-app purchases | Color-coded finger zones |
| keybr | A web page | Any browser | Free | On-screen keyboard while you practise |
| Monkeytype | A web page | Any browser | Free, open source | No. It is a typing test, not a course |
| TypingClub | A web page | Any browser | Free, with an optional paid school edition | Shows hand posture in the lessons |
Lessons in a separate window
KeyKey and Master of Typing work like a course. You open the app, do a lesson and close it again. That suits people who like a fixed plan and a clear sense of progress. KeyKey is a paid app on the Mac App Store. Master of Typing is free to download and sells its full set of lessons inside the app.
Free in the browser
If cost matters most, or you also type on Windows or a Chromebook, start with keybr. It begins with a few letters and adds new ones as you get them right. Monkeytype is where people go to measure and push their speed once they can already touch type. TypingClub has a long lesson path and is used by many schools.
On top of the apps you already use
Tactomo takes a different approach. Instead of a lesson window, it floats a see-through keyboard next to the text field you are typing in, whether that is Mail, Slack, Pages or a code editor. Each key you press lights up in the color of its finger, and the next key pulses. There is a practice hub with drills and games as well, but the main idea is that ordinary typing becomes practice. How the method works.
Where Tactomo is the wrong choice
Tactomo runs only on Macs with macOS 13 or newer. There is nothing for Windows, Linux, iPad or Chromebook. After the trial it costs money, and it has no classroom dashboard or student accounts. If any of that rules it out, TypingClub or keybr is a better place to start.
Questions, answered
What is the best free touch typing tool for Mac?
keybr, Monkeytype and TypingClub are all free and run in Safari or any other browser. For learning from scratch, keybr and TypingClub are the better start. Monkeytype is best once you can already touch type and want to get faster.
Is there a typing tutor that works in every app on Mac?
Tactomo does. It is a transparent keyboard that stays on top of whatever app you are typing in, lets your clicks pass through, and shows the right finger for each key as you type. The other apps in this comparison teach inside their own window or web page.
Can I use Tactomo together with keybr or Monkeytype?
Yes. Many people practise on a website and keep Tactomo running for the rest of the day, so the same finger colors follow them into their normal typing.
Does Tactomo have a subscription?
No. You get 7 days free, then pay once. There is no account.
