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Clacky vs Clank Keys: which one should you install?

Pick Clank Keys if you have an Apple silicon MacBook, want keyboard sounds that get louder the harder you type, want to pay nothing, and are fine opening an app that isn’t notarized with a Terminal command. Pick Clacky if you have an Intel Mac or a desktop Mac (Clank Keys is made for MacBooks), or want mouse, trackpad and scroll sounds too, from an app signed and notarized by Apple.

Clank Keys is free, with no account, licence or analytics. Clacky is $4.99 once for 1 Mac, after 3 days free with no card.

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Clacky and Clank Keys side by side

From each app’s own page, read on 5 November 2026.

ClackyClank KeysAhead
Price$4.99 onceFreeClank Keys
Which MacsAny Mac on macOS 13+, Apple silicon and IntelMade for Apple silicon MacBooks, M1 or newer, macOS 13+Clacky
Keyboard sounds29, synthesized18 recorded switch packs, soft to slamClank Keys for recordings
Reacts to how hard you typeNoYes, from the MacBook’s motion sensorClank Keys
Mouse, trackpad and scrollYesNot on its pageClacky
Notarized by AppleYesNo, opens with a Terminal commandClacky
Goes onlineUpdates, licence, anonymous daily check-inSays it has no networking codeClank Keys

Pick Clank Keys if…

Clank Keys reads the MacBook’s accelerometer about 800 times a second, matches each bump to a key press, and blends the two nearest recordings, so a light tap sounds light. Its 18 packs use recordings from the MIT-licensed Mechvibes project. The page says velocity needs a MacBook whose sensor is readable, which covers most MacBook Air and Pro models from 2022 on. Without it, sounds still play and follow your typing rhythm instead.

  • You have a newer Apple silicon MacBook and want sounds that follow your touch.
  • You want free, with no licence at all.
  • You’re comfortable running one Terminal command to open an app.

Pick Clacky if…

Clacky runs on any Mac with macOS 13 or later, a Mac mini, iMac or Mac Studio included, with any keyboard and mouse. It plays every click, tap and scroll notch as well as your keys, and draws a ripple on every click. It opens like any other app, because it is signed and notarized by Apple.

Keyboard sounds listen for key down/up only. Clacky never records, stores or sends which keys you type, and respects Secure Input.

  • You use a desktop Mac or an Intel Mac.
  • You don’t want to change security settings or run Terminal commands to open an app.
  • You want your mouse and trackpad to have sounds too.

How Clank Keys opens, step by step

From its own page. Because it isn’t notarized, macOS blocks the first launch until you remove the download flag.

  1. Download Clank Keys from its page and move it to Applications.
  2. In Terminal, run xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Applications/Clank Keys.app" once.
  3. Open it and allow Input Monitoring (not Accessibility) in System Settings → Privacy & Security.
  4. Quit and reopen it so the permission takes effect.

Where these facts come from

Checked on 5 November 2026. Prices are in US dollars, before tax. Apps change, so check each page before you buy.

Questions

Is Clank Keys safe?

Its page says the key code only picks a sound and is then discarded, nothing is logged, and the app has no networking code. It is signed by its maker but not notarized by Apple, which is why macOS blocks the first launch.

Does Clank Keys work on a Mac mini or iMac?

Its page is written for Apple silicon MacBooks and asks for M1 or newer. It doesn’t mention desktop Macs, and its force-sensitive sounds need a MacBook’s motion sensor. Clacky works on desktop Macs.

Does Clank Keys work on an Intel Mac?

No, it needs Apple silicon (M1 or newer). Clacky runs on Intel and Apple silicon.

Facts checked on 5 November 2026.

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