// GUIDE · UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026
How to show keystrokes on screen on a Mac
macOS doesn't come with a keystroke overlay for presenting, so you need an app. KeyCastr is free and open source. Overlaid and Mouseposé show keystrokes alongside other presenting tools.
'What did you just press?' is the most common comment on any software tutorial. Showing your keystrokes on screen answers it before anyone asks.
All of these apps need Accessibility permission, because reading key presses from other apps is exactly what that permission protects.
METHOD 01
KeyCastr
Free, open source
A focused keystroke visualiser. If keystrokes are all you need, start here.
- 1Install with Homebrew: brew install --cask keycastr, or download it from GitHub.
- 2Grant Accessibility permission when asked.
- 3Pick whether to show command keys, all modified keys, or every key, and drag the display where you want it.
GOOD
- +Free
- +Can show mouse clicks too
- +Extensible
NOT SO GOOD
- −Keystrokes only, no drawing or zoom
METHOD 02
Mouseposé
Subscription
Boinx's cursor highlighter, which also shows keystrokes near the bottom of the screen.
- 1Download it from Boinx and start the trial.
- 2Enable keystroke display in its settings.
GOOD
- +Cursor spotlight and click sounds in the same app
NOT SO GOOD
- −No drawing
- −Sold as a yearly plan
METHOD 03THAT'S US
Overlaid
$11.99 once, 7-day free trial
Keystrokes as raised keycaps, plus drawing, zoom and cursor effects in the same app.
- 1Open Overlaid and press ⌃⌥K. It asks for Accessibility permission the first time.
- 2Pick a position in Settings: nine anchor points on any display, or drag it anywhere.
- 3Choose themes for regular, modifier and special keys if you want it on-brand.
GOOD
- +Combos only by default, so ordinary typing stays private
- +Secure input is never shown
- +Drawing and zoom in the same app
NOT SO GOOD
- −Paid after the trial
- −Needs macOS 14 or later
// WHICHEVER YOU PICK
THREE TIPS.
Show combos, not everything
Showing every key means showing everything you type, including messages and search terms. Combos-only is the safer default for streams.
Keep it clear of your content
Bottom centre works for most tutorials. Move it if your app has a toolbar or timeline there.
Record the display, not a window
In OBS, use Display Capture. Window Capture only includes that one window and misses the overlay.
// FAQ
QUICK QUESTIONS.
It can be. Anything shown on screen is in your recording. Use a combos-only mode where you can, and choose an app that never shows secure input like password fields. Overlaid does both by default.
macOS only lets apps read key presses from other apps with Accessibility permission. Every keystroke visualiser needs it.
// COMPARE
- Overlaid vs KeyCastrThe free, open-source keystroke visualiser for macOS.
- Overlaid vs MouseposéA long-running cursor spotlight and click visualiser from Boinx, with a keystroke display.
- Overlaid vs PresentifyThe best-known Mac screen annotation app: drawing, cursor highlight, spotlight, zoom and a whiteboard.
// YOUR NEXT CALL
Draw on your screen in the next five minutes.
7 days free with every feature. Then a one-time purchase. No account, no subscription.