Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Keymasq review

Free#29 of 105 in Keyboard and Mouse Customization Software

A flexible open-source toolkit for layered Linux input automation.

5.6/10Editor score
Visit Keymasq
Keymasq5.6 Visit Keymasq

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Keymasq is an open-source Linux tool for customizing keyboards, mice, and game controllers. It suits solo users and small teams that need layered input automation, application-aware bindings, macros, combos, and virtual input devices. Its GTK4 interface provides a graphical starting point, while TOML configurations can also be managed from the command line. The software is distributed under the MIT license and supports desktop use with self-hosted configuration.

Its strongest area is input-mapping depth. Users can create layered profiles, record and edit macros on a timeline, loop playback, define global hotkeys, and assign tap, hold, and multi-role actions through superkeys. Rapidfire and repeat-last-action mappings extend the automation options, while analog sticks, triggers, wheels, and other axes can be mapped. Virtual keyboard, mouse, and gamepad outputs, plus hardware masking for input devices, make Keymasq suitable for complex workflows and controller-oriented setups.

Platform coverage is broad within Linux. Keymasq supports both X11 and Wayland, with integrations for GNOME Shell, GNOME, KDE Plasma, Hyprland, Niri, COSMIC, and Sway. Profiles can be managed through the GTK4 GUI or command line, giving advanced users more control over configuration. Choose Keymasq if you want free, open-source remapping with layered profiles and detailed automation on Linux. Users seeking a cross-platform customization tool or a broader hardware-control suite should look elsewhere.

Keymasq pros and cons

  • Where it wins
    • Remaps keyboards, mice, and game controllers
    • Supports application-aware profiles, macros, and superkeys
    • Works across X11, Wayland, and several Linux desktops
  • Where it doesn't
    • Linux-only desktop deployment
    • Configuration depth may require command-line profile management
    • Focused on software remapping rather than broader device controls

Keymasq fact sheet, pricing and score →

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Last updated · How we research and update