KeyBlaze vs Tux Typing

KeyBlaze is a typing tutor for touch typing, speed typing and 10-key numeric keypad practice. Its lessons cover home and neighboring keys, capitalization, punctuation and numbers, with drills, prose, poetry and exercises focused on difficult keys. Audio dictation provides transcription practice, while typing games offer another kind of exercise. KeyBlaze measures net and gross words per minute, supports tests at different durations and lets learners set speed goals. Users can import their own lessons, drills and speed tests or focus practice on troublesome words and characters. Keyboard highlighting indicates finger placement, and the software can print course completion certificates. KeyBlaze runs on macOS and Windows and is described by its maker as suitable for all skill levels. For classroom review, results can be saved to a network folder; that folder must be configured separately on each computer. The free version costs nothing, while additional lessons, professional exercises and custom features require an upgrade. The Plus Home license is restricted to non-business use.

Tux Typing is a free educational typing tutor game starring Tux, the Linux penguin. It is available for Linux, macOS and Windows, and Tux4Kids describes it as software for children that parents and teachers can use at home or on school computers. In Fish Cascade, players type letters on falling fish to help Tux catch them; in Comet Zap, they type letters on comets so Tux can destroy them with a laser. The default theme includes finger exercises that introduce keyboard keys progressively. Phrase Typing offers practice with phrases or complete sentences and measures accuracy and typing speed, but the maker says that feature and Lessons are not yet completed. Users can add and modify custom word lists, although the README describes the editor as beta. The program is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License. Tux4Kids says its open-source programs can be extended or customized, and its programs have been translated into dozens of languages. The group invites translation contributions and describes its programs as supported by active volunteer developer communities.