1. [Clacky](https://clacky.app/) 2. › 3. [A–Z](https://clacky.app/features/#a-z) 4. › 5. [Answers](https://clacky.app/answers/) 6. › 7. Is Clacky open source? Answer # Is Clacky open source? No. Clacky is a closed-source app: its code isn’t public, and it is sold at clacky.app for $4.99 once after a 3-day free trial. If you want a keyboard sound app whose code you can read, Mechvibes, Thock, Keyboard Sounds Pro and KeyEcho are free and open source (checked 5 November 2026). Clacky instead publishes every request it makes on its privacy page. [Try free for 3 days](https://clacky.app/try/)[Pricing](https://clacky.app/#pricing) ## Open-source keyboard sound apps for Mac These four publish their code on GitHub. Facts are from their own pages, read on 5 November 2026. App Licence Runs on Worth knowing [Mechvibes](https://github.com/hainguyents13/mechvibes) MIT Mac, Windows, Linux Mac version marked experimental and not notarized, so the first launch needs right-click and Open [Thock](https://github.com/kamillobinski/thock) MIT Mac, macOS 13.5 or later Native menu-bar app with recorded packs, your own packs, and mouse clicks since version 1.19 [Keyboard Sounds Pro](https://github.com/keyboard-sounds/keyboardsounds-pro) MIT Mac, Windows, Linux 13 keyboard and 7 mouse profiles, and an editor for your own [KeyEcho](https://keyecho.app) AGPL Mac (12.4 or later on the App Store), Windows, Linux A few free packs, crafted packs at $3.99 each or $9.99 for all ## What the open-source apps do better Anyone can read their code, check what they do with key presses and build them from source. They are free, and Mechvibes, Keyboard Sounds Pro and KeyEcho also run on Windows and Linux, so you can use the same app on every computer you own. Pick one of them if reading the code matters most to you. The full comparison, with prices and what each app sends online, is in [the best keyboard sound apps for Mac](https://clacky.app/best-keyboard-sound-apps-mac/). ## How Clacky earns trust instead With closed code, Clacky relies on Apple’s checks and on telling you exactly what it does. - Signed with an Apple Developer ID 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. - It watches input through a listen-only tap, which can’t change, delay or block anything you do. - The [privacy page](https://clacky.app/privacy/) lists every network request, and Settings → General → More options → “Every event Clacky can send” lists every usage stats event, with a Copy button. - Updates use Sparkle, an open-source updater, and only install when signed with Clacky’s own key. ## Check any closed app yourself These checks work for Clacky or any other app, with tools already on your Mac. 1. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security and look at Input Monitoring, Accessibility, Screen Recording and Microphone to see which permissions the app holds. 2. Open Activity Monitor, choose the Network tab, and watch the app’s Sent Bytes while you type for a minute. 3. Read the app’s privacy page for a plain promise that it never records, stores or sends what you type. ## Where these facts come from Each page below was read on 5 November 2026, through our [keyboard sound app comparison](https://clacky.app/best-keyboard-sound-apps-mac/). Checked on 5 November 2026. - Mechvibes: [GitHub README](https://github.com/hainguyents13/mechvibes) and [mechvibes.com](https://mechvibes.com) - Thock: [GitHub README](https://github.com/kamillobinski/thock) and [release 1.19.0](https://github.com/kamillobinski/thock/releases/tag/1.19.0) - Keyboard Sounds Pro: [GitHub README and releases](https://github.com/keyboard-sounds/keyboardsounds-pro) - KeyEcho: [keyecho.app](https://keyecho.app) and [GitHub README](https://github.com/ZacharyL2/KeyEcho) ## Questions ### Is there a free, open-source alternative to Clacky? For keyboard sounds, yes: Mechvibes, Thock, Keyboard Sounds Pro and KeyEcho. See [free alternatives to Clacky](https://clacky.app/answers/free-alternatives-to-clacky/) for more. ### Does Clacky use any open-source code? Yes. Its updates use Sparkle, an open-source updater for Mac apps. ### Is a closed-source app less safe? Open code lets anyone check it. A closed app relies on Apple’s signing and notarization and on its own word, so check its permissions, its privacy page and its network use. ### Can I see exactly what Clacky sends? Yes. The [privacy page](https://clacky.app/privacy/) lists every request, and the app lists every usage stats event in Settings with a Copy button. Facts checked on 5 November 2026. ## Related - [Free alternatives to ClackyYes: Mechvibes, Thock, Keyboard Sounds Pro, KeyEcho and Clank Keys are free, and macOS can circle your clicks in a recording. Here is what each does.](https://clacky.app/answers/free-alternatives-to-clacky/) - [The best keyboard sound apps for Mac (2026)The best keyboard sound apps for Mac, side by side: price, trial, sounds, privacy and network, macOS version. Free and paid, every fact sourced.](https://clacky.app/best-keyboard-sound-apps-mac/) - [Clacky vs MechvibesMechvibes vs Clacky on a Mac: price, keyboard, click and scroll sounds, a click ripple, a recorder and screenshots. A fair comparison, with sources.](https://clacky.app/vs/mechvibes/) - [Clacky vs ThockThock vs Clacky on a Mac: keyboard and click sounds, scroll ticks, a click ripple, a recorder and screenshots. A fair comparison, with sources.](https://clacky.app/vs/thock/) - [Is Clacky safe to install?Yes. Clacky is signed and notarized by Apple, needs one permission for its sounds, and never records, stores or sends which keys you type.](https://clacky.app/answers/is-clacky-safe/) - [What does Clacky send over the internet?A daily anonymous check-in, update and licence checks, a one-time trial ID and, only if you agree, anonymous usage stats. Never your keys or screen.](https://clacky.app/answers/what-clacky-sends-online/) [A–Z](https://clacky.app/features/#a-z)[Pricing](https://clacky.app/#pricing)[Every feature](https://clacky.app/features/) ## Make something on your Mac today. 3 days free, every feature. Then $4.99 once. [Try free for 3 days](https://clacky.app/try/)