Karabiner-Elements vs LinearMouse

Karabiner-Elements

• Mac users who want to remap keys or modifiers at no cost
• People using PC, JIS or other non-Apple keyboards on a Mac
• Vi and Emacs users who want their key bindings everywhere on macOS

LinearMouse

• Mac users who want mouse scrolling reversed without changing the trackpad
• People who want pointer acceleration turned off for a specific mouse
• Anyone who prefers a free, MIT-licensed mouse utility

Karabiner-Elements

• macOS only. The current release supports macOS 13 Ventura and later; earlier systems need older versions from the download menu.
• Rules beyond simple key swaps are defined as JSON, either imported from the community gallery or written by hand.
• It cannot modify the fn key on non-Apple keyboards, or the eject key on some keyboards such as the Apple Wired Keyboard.

LinearMouse

• macOS only. It needs Accessibility permission at first launch, and a further permission before it can simulate key presses.
• The documentation says some advanced features are reached by editing the JSON configuration file, which does not accept comments.
• Gesture timings are fixed for the whole app, at 500 ms for a long press and 50 points for a swipe, and cannot be set per mapping.
• The current release is numbered 0.12.0, and the sponsors page lists one main developer.

Karabiner-Elements

Simple modifications

Change one key to another key from the settings window, with no rules to write.

Complex modifications

Rule-based changes: turn a key into a combination of modifiers, map a modifier plus key to another key, send a different event when a key is pressed alone, or act on keys pressed simultaneously.

Community rule gallery

Predefined rules such as Vi and Emacs key bindings, diamond cursor and mouse keys can be imported from the project's rule site, then edited or replaced with your own.

Per-device settings and profiles

Apply modifications only to chosen keyboards, keep multiple profiles, and switch between profiles from the menu bar icon.

Function and extra keys

Map f1 to f12 to media controls, and enable extra keys on PC keyboards that macOS does not recognize by default, such as international and language keys.

Works at secure prompts

Modifications keep working in Secure Keyboard Entry environments, such as password prompts and terminals with that option turned on.

LinearMouse

Profiles by device, app and display

A group of settings can apply to all mice or all trackpads, to one device by vendor and product ID, to one app or process, or to a named display, and matching groups are merged.

Scroll direction and smoothing

Reverse vertical or horizontal scrolling on a mouse while the trackpad keeps natural scrolling, and add smoothed scrolling from presets with adjustable response, speed, acceleration and inertia.

Pointer speed and acceleration

Adjust pointer acceleration and speed per device, switch acceleration off entirely, or return either value to the system default.

Button mappings

Bind mouse buttons and wheel movements, with optional modifier keys, to Mission Control, Launchpad, media and brightness controls, keyboard shortcuts or shell commands.

Long presses, chords and swipes

Version 0.12.0 added long-press, button-combination and swipe triggers, so one button can do different things on a short press, a long press and a swipe in each direction.

Click debouncing and hover focus

Click debouncing filters repeated signals from worn mouse switches, and an optional setting focuses a window when the pointer moves over it.

Karabiner-Elements

• Karabiner-Elements$0

  The complete app, open source and usable without any purchase. Supports Intel-based and Apple silicon Macs.

LinearMouse

• LinearMouse$0

  Every feature, with no paid tier or license key. The project says donations go only to developer fees, infrastructure and test devices.