OPEN-SOURCE PICK · FREE
Karabiner-Elements for Mac
Remap any key on your Mac
- Keyboard & mouse
- Open source · Unlicense
- Free
- ★ 22.9k on GitHub
Karabiner-Elements is a free, open-source keyboard customizer for macOS. Remap any key, turn Caps Lock into Escape or a hyper key, and set rules per device or per app.
Key features
SIMPLE REMAPS
Change one key into another, such as Caps Lock to Escape.
COMPLEX MODIFICATIONS
Hyper keys, dual-function keys and app-specific rules.
PER-DEVICE SETTINGS
Different layouts for your built-in keyboard and external keyboards.
Who Karabiner-Elements is for
- Programmers and Vim users
- People with external or non-Apple keyboards
- Anyone who wants a hyper key
Install
With Homebrew:
Or use the Download button above and drag the app to your Applications folder.
Requirements: macOS 13 Ventura and later on Intel and Apple silicon (newest releases on Apple silicon).
A free alternative to BetterTouchTool and Keyboard Maestro
People often look for Karabiner-Elements when they want what BetterTouchTool or Keyboard Maestro does without paying. Karabiner-Elements is free and its source code is public, so you can see exactly what it does on your Mac.
FAQ
Is it free?
Yes. Karabiner-Elements is free and released under the Unlicense.
How do I install it?
Download from karabiner-elements.pqrs.org or run brew install --cask karabiner-elements.
Karabiner-Elements is made by pqrs-org, not by OneClickTool. We list it because we use it and recommend it; we are not paid to. Details checked against its README on 2026-10-07.