Hyperkey review (2026): is it any good?
Free Mac utility that turns a key into the Hyper modifier
Hyperkey report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 12, 2026
Best for turning Caps Lock into a Hyper key
Hyperkey remaps keys on the Mac, such as Caps Lock, into a Hyper key you can bind shortcuts to. It's free, but it doesn't move or size windows, so it needs a shortcut app like Rectangle or Keyboard Maestro to be of use.
Who Hyperkey is for
- Fits if you want Caps Lock to be a spare modifier key on a Mac
- Works for people who already run Rectangle or Keyboard Maestro
Who Hyperkey is not for
- Too light for window management, as it doesn't resize or move windows
- Not for you if you're not on a Mac, as it's Mac only
- Watch out: remappings do not work in password fields
- Watch out: Keyboard Maestro's recorder needs you to press all modifiers physically
Why Hyperkey gets a 2.6
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree, with an optional paid upgrade app, Superkey, promoted on the same site.
- AFree plan and trialThe app itself is free and has no plans or trial.
- DFeaturesOne narrow job, remapping modifier keys, and it only does something when paired with a shortcut app. It does not manage windows.
- BEase of useA Mac app you install and switch on. Remappings do not work in password fields, and Keyboard Maestro needs the shortcut pressed physically.
- DPlatforms and integrationsMac only, on macOS 10.15 or later, for Intel and Apple Silicon.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Ryan Hanson's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/hyperkey#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/hyperkey.svg" alt="Hyperkey: 2.6 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Hyperkey stands among window managers and launchers
Hyperkey's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 14 of the 28 other window managers and launchers we grade, and level with 6.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 16 of 28) and worst on features (D, above 0).
Hyperkey has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 29 window managers and launchers we grade, cut by the letter each got. Hyperkey’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 10 of 28, level with 18
- AFree plan and trialAbove 16 of 28, level with 12
- DFeaturesAbove 0 of 28
- BEase of useAbove 17 of 28, level with 11
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 28, level with 22
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 15 window managers and launchers. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep Hyperkey, or make your own?
Keep it
Hyperkey is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
What you could not
- Keys and buttons remapped below the level of apps.
- A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. Hyperkey’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is Hyperkey?
Hyperkey converts the caps lock key, or any modifier key, into a hyper key that presses Control, Option, Command and Shift together. This gives apps such as window managers a spare modifier for shortcuts. Caps lock can alternatively be remapped to a different key.
Worth knowing
- Remappings do not work in password fields, because macOS hides keystrokes there.
- Keyboard Maestro's shortcut recorder needs the shortcut recorded by physically pressing all modifiers.
- Mac only, on macOS 10.15 or later.
Key features
- Hyper key
- Maps caps lock or any modifier key to Control, Option, Command and Shift together.
- Caps lock remap
- Caps lock can be remapped to a different key instead.
- Works with shortcut apps
- The site calls it a companion for Rectangle and other apps that use keyboard shortcuts.
- Intel and Apple Silicon
- Supports macOS 10.15 and later on both chip families.
Hyperkey pricing
As of Nov 12, 2026, Hyperkey is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Hyperkey is free; the same site promotes the separate Superkey app as an upgrade.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperkey | $0 | Free download for macOS 10.15 and later. |
Read from hyperkey.app on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Hyperkey before you buy.
Works with
- Rectangle
- Keyboard Maestro
Hyperkey alternatives
- Hyperkey vs BetterTouchTool
Free trial · from $15 one-time
- Hyperkey vs Keyboard Maestro
Free trial · from $36 one-time
Common questions
Does Hyperkey have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Hyperkey is listed for macOS.
Does Hyperkey have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Hyperkey is listed for macOS.
Is Hyperkey open source?
Hyperkey is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026.