KeyCastr Alternative for Mac — HoverBoard Keystroke Display
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Looking for a KeyCastr alternative for Mac? KeyCastr is the classic open-source keystroke visualizer: it shows the keys you press so viewers can follow shortcuts in tutorials and conference talks. HoverBoard includes Keystroke Display as one mode inside a broader presentation toolkit — draw, spotlight, freeze, whiteboard, cursor halo, and more.
If all you need is a free, focused key HUD, KeyCastr remains an excellent utility. If you want keystrokes plus the rest of a teaching overlay, HoverBoard is the alternative that keeps everything in one menu bar app.
The short version
| KeyCastr | HoverBoard Keystroke Display | |
|---|---|---|
| Job | Show keystrokes on screen | Show keystrokes + full present toolkit |
| Price | Free / open source | Keystroke is Pro-trialable; Spotlight & Break Timer free; Pro $15.99 |
| Best for | Minimal key HUD | Tutorials + annotation + freeze |
What KeyCastr does well
KeyCastr’s reputation comes from doing one thing cleanly:
- Display pressed keys and chords during demos
- Stay lightweight and open source
- Work for coding talks, shortcut tours, and streamed tutorials
- Avoid forcing a larger presentation suite
If your recording setup already has annotation elsewhere (or you never draw on screen), KeyCastr is often enough.
What HoverBoard Keystroke Display adds
HoverBoard’s Keystroke Display (default ⌃⌥K) shows modifier chords and shortcuts as a live HUD while you present. It is built for the same tutorial moment as KeyCastr, with a few product differences:
- Ships beside Draw, Spotlight, Freeze, Whiteboard, Cursor Halo, Notes, Sessions, and Break Timer
- Asks for a privacy confirmation before first use because keyboard observation is sensitive
- May require Input Monitoring permission on macOS
- Renders locally; HoverBoard has no backend for your key events
- Should be turned off before typing passwords or secrets
Full walkthrough: How to use HoverBoard Keystroke Display.
When the broader toolkit matters
Many “show my shortcuts” sessions also need:
- Circling a UI control (Draw)
- Making the cursor obvious (Cursor Halo / Spotlight)
- Pausing a changing IDE (Freeze)
- Sketching a data flow (Whiteboard)
HoverBoard exists so you do not juggle four single-purpose apps mid-lesson.
Which should you use?
Choose KeyCastr if you want a free, open-source, keystroke-only HUD.
Choose HoverBoard if you want a KeyCastr alternative for Mac that covers keystrokes and the surrounding teaching workflow in one native app.
Pro is $15.99 one-time, with a 60-second trial on Keystroke Display and other Pro tools each time you open them.
Download HoverBoard and press ⌃⌥K the next time a shortcut is the lesson.