An Alternative to Monkeytype
How CosmicKeys differs from Monkeytype: what it measures and how it guides practice
In short
Monkeytype is one of the most popular typing tests: fast, minimal and endlessly configurable, with quote, custom-text and code modes. CosmicKeys is a touch-typing course and diagnostic tool: it shows the finger to use for every key, reports errors and timing per key and per finger, and recommends lessons for your weak spots.
Choose Monkeytype if
you already touch type and want quick, customisable speed tests, leaderboards and a huge range of modes.
Choose CosmicKeys if
you want to know which keys and fingers are holding you back, need guidance on correct finger placement, or are still learning touch typing.
Two Different Philosophies
Monkeytype and CosmicKeys focus on different things. Here is an honest look at what each does well.
Monkeytype
A fast, highly customisable typing test
An open-source typing test with many modes (time, words, quotes, custom text, code word lists), themes and settings, plus leaderboards.
What they do well
- ✓Free and open source
- ✓Very customisable: modes, themes, layouts, funboxes
- ✓Quotes, custom text and code word lists
- ✓A 'weakspot' mode that favours your slow and mistyped letters
- ✓Leaderboards and detailed per-test charts
CosmicKeys
Structured Typing Mastery
Lessons and practice that show which keys, letter pairs and fingers cost you time, then point you at drills for them.
What we offer
- ★Structured curriculum from home row to full speed
- ★Real sentences, short code lessons and your own custom text
- ★Per-finger analytics show exactly what to practice
- ★Voice narration guides every keystroke
- ★Animated finger guide shows which finger presses each key
Head-to-Head Comparison
An honest look at how we differ in key areas.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
A summary of what each platform offers, based on public information checked in 2026.
Partly = available in a limited form or as an option. Not verified = we could not confirm it from public sources.
Where Monkeytype Is Limited
Where Monkeytype is limited if you want to diagnose and fix specific weaknesses.
No guidance on which finger should press each key
No per-finger results
No structured beginner lessons
You decide what to practise from the raw numbers
What Makes CosmicKeys Different
What CosmicKeys adds beyond a speed score.
Voice Narration
Narration names each key and the finger that presses it, in English, German, Swiss German, Spanish, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish.
Animated Finger Guide
An on-screen keyboard that matches your layout shows, in colour, which finger presses each key and animates the reach from the home key.
Per-Finger Analytics
See which keys and fingers are slowest or least accurate, plus your rhythm and slowest letter pairs.
34 Keyboard Layouts
Mac and Windows layouts for US QWERTY and Dvorak, UK, German, Swiss, French, Spanish, Latin American and Nordic keyboards, plus numeric keypads.
100% Ad-Free
No banner ads, no pop-ups, no distractions. Just pure, focused typing practice. Even on the free tier.
Cosmic Design
A beautiful, modern interface that makes practice enjoyable. Smooth animations and a cosmic theme that inspires focus.
See It In Action
See the CosmicKeys difference: an on-screen keyboard that matches your layout, detailed analytics, and clear reports.
Layout-Matched Keyboard Guide
The on-screen keyboard is colour-coded by finger, and a marker travels from the home key to the next key, so you see which finger should press it.
Animated Finger Guide
Try a lesson to see it live!
Detailed Analytics Reports
Get comprehensive reports with per-finger analytics, rhythm analysis, and actionable insights to improve your typing speed.
Per-Finger Analytics
Track rhythm, speed & accuracy
Check Your Speed Right Now
Curious where you stand? Take our instant speed test—no signup needed. See your WPM, accuracy, and get a taste of our analytics.
Take Speed Test (30 seconds)No account required • Instant results • Works on any device
Practice here
Free, no account needed. Pick the page that matches what you came for.
Fix a specific typing problem
Ready to Find What Slows You Down?
Go from measuring your speed to fixing what limits it.
Start with the free typing test and guest practice. No credit card needed.
Free to start. One Pro plan: monthly, yearly or lifetime.
Finish one lesson to see your per-key and per-finger results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about how Monkeytype and CosmicKeys compare
QI like Monkeytype, but I want to see which of my fingers are weak. What should I use?
Look for a tool that reports results per finger, not only per key or overall. CosmicKeys attributes every keystroke to the finger that should press it on your keyboard layout, then shows which fingers and keys are slowest or least accurate and recommends targeted lessons for them. You can keep using Monkeytype alongside it; the table on this page shows what Monkeytype itself reports.
QHow are the analytics different from Monkeytype?
CosmicKeys breaks every session down by key, by letter pair and by finger: each keystroke is attributed to the finger that should press it on your layout, and the slowest or least accurate keys and fingers get lessons recommended for them. The comparison table on this page shows which of these Monkeytype also reports.
QIs CosmicKeys useful for programmers?
Yes, especially if symbols slow you down. CosmicKeys has short code lessons (Python, JavaScript, SQL, HTML, CSS, JSON), syntax drills for brackets, operators and naming conventions, and a custom slot for pasting your own code. Every keystroke gets the same per-key and per-finger analysis, so you can see which symbol keys cost you time.
QDoes CosmicKeys support international keyboard layouts?
Yes. CosmicKeys has 34 keyboard layouts: US QWERTY and Dvorak, UK, German, Swiss, French AZERTY, Spanish, Latin American, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish, in Mac and Windows versions, plus numeric keypads. The on-screen finger guide matches the layout you choose.
QWhy should I pay for CosmicKeys when Monkeytype is free?
Monkeytype is a good tool for testing and practising speed. CosmicKeys is built for diagnosing why you are slow: it records every keystroke, shows the keys, letter pairs and fingers that cost you time or accuracy, and recommends lessons for them. It is free to start; one Pro plan (monthly, yearly or lifetime) removes the practice-time allowance.