MacPipAnswer
Mechvibes vs Thock: which free keyboard sound app is better on a Mac?
Pick Thock if you only use a Mac: it is a native Mac menu-bar app that installs with Homebrew, places sounds in space, and goes quiet while music plays. Pick Mechvibes if you also use Windows or Linux, or want the biggest library of community sound packs and built-in mouse packs.
Both are free and open source under the MIT licence, and both take your own sound packs. On a Mac, Thock is the smoother install, because Mechvibes marks its Mac version as experimental and isn’t notarized.
Mechvibes and Thock side by side
From each app’s GitHub README, read on 5 November 2026.
| Mechvibes | Thock | Ahead | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Mac, Windows and Linux | Mac only | Mechvibes |
| On a Mac | Experimental, not notarized | Native menu-bar app, macOS 13.5+ | Thock |
| Install | DMG from GitHub | Homebrew, a ZIP, or build it | Thock |
| Built-in sounds | 10 keyboard, 4 mouse, 10 ambient Mood | Recorded packs, mouse clicks since 1.19 | Mechvibes for count |
| Community packs | A big library and an online editor | Your own JSON packs | Mechvibes |
| Spatial audio | Not on its page | Yes, with a width slider | Thock |
| Network | Anonymous ping per launch (can be turned off) | Not stated in detail | Mechvibes for clarity |
Why pick Mechvibes
Mechvibes 3 replaces Mechvibes 2 and MechvibesDX, so it is one app on every computer you own. The pack library at mechvibes.com and its pack editor are the biggest choice of free sounds we know of, and old V1 packs convert by themselves. Its README is clear about the network: one anonymous ping per launch with the OS, app version and language, which you can turn off under Settings → Privacy, and a daily update check on GitHub. On a Mac, community packs are a ZIP you add yourself.
Why pick Thock
Thock is built for the Mac. Keys sound from where they sit and clicks from where the pointer is, through Apple’s spatial renderer in headphones. Typing goes quiet while Apple Music, Spotify or VLC plays. There is a Raycast extension and a command-line tool, and it comes in 10 languages. It needs macOS 13.5 or later.
Install either one
Both come from GitHub. Thock also installs with Homebrew.
- Thock: run brew install --cask kamillobinski/thock/thock in Terminal, or download the ZIP from its GitHub releases and move the app to Applications.
- Mechvibes: download the Mac DMG from its GitHub releases, drag it to Applications, then right-click it and choose Open (or Open Anyway in System Settings → Privacy & Security).
- Allow Input Monitoring (Mechvibes also asks for Accessibility) in System Settings → Privacy & Security, then reopen the app.
- If one stays silent, read keyboard sounds not working on Mac.
A third option
If free matters less than having it all in one app, Clacky plays keyboard, mouse, trackpad and scroll sounds, draws a ripple on every click and records your screen, for $4.99 once after 3 days free. See Clacky vs Mechvibes and Clacky vs Thock.
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.
- Mechvibes: GitHub README and mechvibes.com
- Thock: GitHub README
Questions
Which is safer, Mechvibes or Thock?
Does Mechvibes play mouse clicks?
Can I use Mechvibes packs in Thock?
Facts checked on 5 November 2026.
Related
- 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.
- 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.
- Klack vs MechvibesKlack is a $4.99 App Store app for macOS 15+. Mechvibes is free, open source and on Windows and Linux too, but experimental on Mac.
- Thock vs KlackThock is free, open source and runs from macOS 13.5 with your own packs. Klack is $4.99 on the App Store for macOS 15 with 7 switch sets.
- 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.
- Mechvibes not working on Mac? Fixes, and what to use insteadMechvibes silent, blocked or only playing in its own window on a Mac? Why it happens, the fixes in order, and other keyboard sound apps if it still won’t work.
Make something on your Mac today.
3 days free, every feature. Then $4.99 once.