Compared in October 2026
Keystroke counters for Windows, compared by someone who makes one
If you want heatmaps, per-app stats or a Mac or Linux version, WhatPulse does more than TypeCount. If you want a daily total, a pace and a calendar with no account and no network connection, TypeCount does that for a one-time US$0.99 after a 30-day trial. Mousotron is free for personal use and counts mouse clicks too.
I make TypeCount, so weigh what I say with that in mind. Every cell below was read on the source linked in its row on . Where a source doesn’t say, the cell says unknown. No ratings are shown here: read them on each app’s own page.
The table
What app can I use to track my keystrokes?
Eight counters that run on Windows, in no particular order apart from mine coming last.
| App | Price | Account | Network | Platforms | Per-key data or heatmap | Microsoft Store | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WhatPulseWhatPulse | Free, with a Premium subscription (price unknown) | Yes, you sign in when you set it up | Sends your stats to its website unless you turn on Work Offline. Premium also measures network traffic per app | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes: most-used keys and a keyboard heatmap | No, from its own site | whatpulse.org |
| KeyCounterZhorn Software | Free | Not mentioned in the review | Unknown | Windows | Not stated in the review. Counts mouse clicks too | No. Its maker's site no longer lists it | How-To Geek review (2011) |
| MousotronBlacksun Software | Free for personal use; US$20 licence for commercial use | Not mentioned on its site | Optional: you can upload your counter values to compare scores | Windows | No, counts only. Counts mouse clicks and distance too | No, from its own site | blacksunsoftware.com |
| Key Press CounterEvlarSoft | US$1.89 | No | None, says its listing: nothing is uploaded | Windows | Yes: it ranks the keys you press most | Yes | Microsoft Store listing |
| Mouse and Key Press CounterEvlarSoft | US$1.99 | No | None, says its listing: nothing is uploaded | Windows | Not mentioned in its listing, which shows key and click totals | Yes | Microsoft Store listing |
| KeyStatsdebugtheworldbot (open source, MIT) | Free | No | Off by default; optional encrypted sync between your devices | Windows, macOS (Linux as a community build) | Yes: a count for each key, plus per-app counts | No, from GitHub | GitHub |
| TypeHeatBabyQ | Free | No | None, says its listing: nothing is uploaded | Windows | Yes: a keyboard heatmap | Yes | Microsoft Store listing |
| TypeCountSudarshan Bohra (me) | Free for 30 days, then US$0.99 once | No | None. It makes no network connections | Windows 10 and 11 | No, counts only, by design | Yes | Microsoft Store listing |
The questions people ask
Is there a WhatPulse alternative without an account?
Yes, several. WhatPulse asks you to sign in when you set it up and has a Work Offline setting; TypeCount has no account at all. KeyStats needs none, TypeHeat and EvlarSoft’s two counters say in their Store listings that they need none, and Mousotron’s site mentions none.
Is WhatPulse safe?
WhatPulse explains what it collects in its own privacy and data FAQ: keystroke counts per app, your most-used keys, mouse and network figures, but not the sequence of keys you press. I can’t audit another maker’s app, so read it there and decide for yourself.
Which keystroke counters are free?
KeyCounter, Mousotron, KeyStats and TypeHeat are free, though Mousotron asks for a US$20 licence for commercial use. WhatPulse has a free tier that keeps the last 7 days of dashboard history, with Premium as a subscription. EvlarSoft’s two counters cost US$1.89 and US$1.99. TypeCount is free for 30 days, then US$0.99 once.
Why does TypeCount have no keyboard heatmap?
Because it never stores which key you pressed. A heatmap needs a count for every key, and that is the one thing TypeCount throws away. If you want a heatmap, WhatPulse and TypeHeat draw one, and KeyStats keeps a count for each key.
How is a keystroke counter different from employee monitoring software?
A keystroke counter is something you install for yourself, and it shows the numbers to you. Monitoring software is installed by an employer or school and reports to them, and depending on the product it may record apps, websites or screenshots too. If you are unsure what runs on a work PC, ask whoever manages it.
A daily total, and nothing else.
Download from the Microsoft Store. Free for 30 days, then US$0.99 once.
Windows 10 (version 1809 or later) or Windows 11, 64-bit
What exactly does it store? Every table, column by column. What does a real day look like? 13 days of my own counts. Or go back to TypeCount’s home page.