KeyScreen: A Keystrokes Visualizer for Mac

If you're searching for a "keystrokes visualizer for Mac," you know you need a tool that clearly and reliably displays key presses on your screen. Whether it's for a software demo, a YouTube tutorial, or a live stream, showing your keyboard shortcuts is essential for helping your audience follow along.

KeyScreen is a keystroke visualizer for macOS that we built for exactly this: it shows your keys, and your mouse clicks, in a clean, customizable overlay.

What is a Keystroke Visualizer?

A keystroke visualizer is an app that captures your key presses and displays them as an overlay on your screen. It's useful whenever you demonstrate a workflow to others, because viewers can see the shortcut instead of guessing it.

Why Choose KeyScreen?

Here are KeyScreen's core features:

1. Unmatched Customization and Theming

A visualizer should be readable and match your content. KeyScreen lets you change the font, color, size, position and animations of your keystrokes. It comes with five built-in themes, and you can create and save your own to match your brand.

You can also choose what appears: every key, or only combinations with modifiers (⌘, ⌥, ⌃, ⇧), function keys (F1–F12) and special keys like Enter, Esc, Tab and Delete.

2. Mouse Clicks and Chat-Style Bubbles

KeyScreen can show left and right mouse clicks (added in version 2.2), so viewers see when you click as well as what you type. In version 2.3, the Show All Keys mode shows keys and clicks in chat-style bubbles, which keeps a stream of typing readable.

3. Lightweight and Native

KeyScreen is a native macOS app that uses few system resources, leaving more room for your screen recording software.

4. Multi-Display and Keyboard Layout Support

KeyScreen handles multiple monitors: place the overlay on any display, with a preset position or anywhere you drag it, and it remembers positions when you reconnect a monitor. It also works with international keyboard layouts such as AZERTY, QWERTZ and Arabic, not just QWERTY.

5. Privacy-First Design

When you type in a password field, KeyScreen doesn't receive those key events, so passwords never appear on screen. The app works entirely on your Mac, and no data is sent online.

6. Global Keyboard Shortcuts

Set your own global keyboard shortcuts for the main actions, such as hiding or showing the overlay while you record, without clicking into the app.

Pricing and Requirements

KeyScreen is a one-time purchase, $5.99 on the US Mac App Store (prices vary by region), or you can buy it directly on the KeyScreen website. Businesses and schools get 50% off 20 or more copies through Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager. It needs macOS 15 Sequoia or later.

The Verdict

If you need a keystrokes visualizer for Mac that you can style to match your content, and that shows mouse clicks too, KeyScreen is a focused option. For tips on using it well, see our guides on teaching Mac keyboard shortcuts clearly and keyboard navigation demos.

• Website: keyscreen.app
• Mac App Store: KeyScreen on the Mac App Store

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Note: First published in October 2025 and updated in October 2026. Features and prices are current as of October 2026 and can change; verify them on the official site before buying.

Disclosure: KeyScreen is made by Softal, the same company behind Apps.Deals.