AutoKey vs FastFox

AutoKey is a Linux desktop automation utility for X11/Xorg. Hotkeys and typed abbreviations can start scripts, insert phrases, or show a pop-up menu. Phrases expand into text at the cursor and can include key combinations, special keys, and characters. Scripts are small Python programs that can start applications, send commands to a running window, resize windows, or reposition the cursor. AutoKey provides GTK and Qt interfaces and supports use of phrases, scripts, and abbreviations across applications. Its Python API can send keys simultaneously or in sequence; the documentation recommends using the clipboard to enter generated text when possible. It can be installed through Debian packages, Arch or Gentoo packages, pip, or a cloned repository. AutoKey is free under GNU GPL version 3. It requires X11 rather than Wayland, and abbreviations are limited to the most recent 150 typed keys. Applications built with pure X11 toolkits generally ignore its synthetic events, and the documentation notes known keyboard-layout problems with Russian, Mandarin, and Japanese.

FastFox is a text expander for inserting frequently used phrases, paragraphs, documents, and images while you work. You can create unlimited shortcuts, with no stated limit on expanded text length, and save expansions as plain text or formatted rich text. A shortcut can insert an image such as a company logo. FastFox can learn phrases you type often and suggest them as you type. It also lets you combine Ctrl, Alt, and Shift commands into macros that work in programs. The software runs in the background and is intended for use across programs, including word processors and email; Microsoft Word and Outlook are named examples. Businesses can use a shared shortcut file on a network to standardize stock text. FastFox supports Windows and macOS, offers advanced expansion rules, and has no mobile support. A free trial is available, but the opened product page does not state its duration. Home and business licenses are listed, with prices not provided.