Keylogger Software: 10 Best Free to Use in 2023
A keylogger can be either a piece of software or a hardware device that can capture the keystrokes typed on the computer’s keyboard. A software keylogger can be run in the background and not get noticed by average users. They’ll have to depend on security software like anti-keyloggers or antivirus packages to tell them that a keylogger is present on the system, or else they will have no idea that things they do on the computer are being monitored.
There are many legitimate uses for a keylogger such as monitoring your children, making sure that they stay safe on the Internet especially when chatting and making friends with strangers. Or maybe even monitoring an employee making sure that they do not copy or leak out any confidential files. However, it can also be used for illegal or unethical purposes such as stealing passwords, reading private data and etc.
There are many software keyloggers around, some are freeware while others require a paid license to use. Free keyloggers are often more limited in functionality and stealthiness. After testing several free keyloggers, we’ve picked what we thought were the best and sorted them into a top 10. In addition to keylogging and features, we’ve also taken into account the ability of the keylogger to hide itself from the average user to prevent detection or tampering. All programs were tested in Windows 10 64-bit.
10. BlackBox Express
BlackBox Express is a security monitoring tool that can be used as a keylogger. The free version is from back in 2011 and is not for download on the official website but does work on the latest Windows 10. It works slightly different from the other tools because it can monitor 1 local PC and up to 200 remote PCs on the network. BlackBox Express can log keystrokes, web searches, ran programs, visited websites, email client programs, webmails, instant messaging chat programs, and capture screenshots.
You can exclude specific users from monitoring as well as adding alerts for keywords, websites and programs. BlackBox Express runs as a service and shows in Task Manager, on the desktop with a shortcut, in the Start Menu, in the installed programs list, and in Program Files. There’s no key combination shortcut so the only way to launch the program is from the shortcut or its executable in the program folder. Password protection is supported so at least other users can’t see the gathered logs.
9. KidLogger
KidLogger is an open source user activity monitoring tool. Other than just logging keystrokes and the clipboard, it can also record USB drive insertions, file/folder activity, microphone audio, browser history and take screenshots including from Skype videos. You’re also able to set keywords as an alert during capture. The log files can be viewed locally or from your KidLogger online account (not required). KidLogger can be installed on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Android, BlackBerry, and iOS.
It’s unfortunate that KidLogger is visible in Task Manager, the Start menu, the Program Files folder, and the installed programs list, a shortcut is optional on install. There’s no hotkey or run command to launch the program so you’ll need to start it from one of those options. KidLogger can be password protected but that’s not a great comfort as it’s quite easy for savvy users to find and kill the program. Like Spyrix Free Keylogger and BlackBox Express, KidLogger is a viable option if stealth is not a priority.
8. Real Free Keylogger
Real Free Keylogger is a simple no frills keylogger and was abandoned by its developer several years ago, the last update was to version 2.5 in 2014. After installation and during the initial launch, it will prompt you to set a password to protect the program so only you can access the settings and view the logs. You can set a different hotkey (default Ctrl+Alt+X) to launch the program when it is running in stealth mode.
The “Stealth Mode” button in the main window is a paid feature only although some measures are still taken to conceal the program. The program folder is set as system, there is no Start Menu entry, no installed programs entry, and no tray or desktop icons. A couple of processes do appear in Task Manager but they might blend in enough to possibly stop them being killed. Real Free Keylogger comes with a scheduler to automatically start logging and the log files can be exported as an HTML file.
7. Revealer Keylogger Free
Revealer Keylogger Free can record keystrokes, has multiple language support, has all/selected user startup settings, the ability to run with elevated privileges, hotkey support (default is Ctrl+Alt+F9), password protection and automatic log cleanup. Screenshot capture and automated delivery options are paid features only and disabled in this free version.
Although the options to hide the process, program files and startup entry are not available in the free version, Revealer Keylogger Free is not visible in the system tray, the Start Menu or the installed programs list. To uninstall, run the program, click on the Help icon at the top right, go to “Program end” and select Uninstall.
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hi there, my pc at work, id department lock any program , so i think to install programs as portable ( not install ) how would i convert program with exe to portable? and how to get keyloger portable ? thank you
Hi, I really just wanted a keylogger that would keep track of my typing speed and analytics regarding that across all the applications that I use on my PC.
So, the idea is that I don’t want to take typing tests, but want to analyze my typing speed when I’m writing just about anything on the OS. Can you please suggest me a tool? I am not looking to track anyone but myself.
I am looking for a Keylogger that will record only the function keys in a video call so the other person can see what isn’t being typed on the screen. Do you have recommendation for that?
Hey Raymond, can you test Spytector (there’s a free version on their website) and tell your opinion? Spytector is the best I’ve found so far.
Spyrix free keylogger wanted me to connect to the internet to create an account for their keylogger??? – you couldn’t make this up. Yeah sure I want you to phone home with everything I type!
What’s the problem, just about everything else does it, including Windows itself…;)
Nope windows do not have any connection to the internet I can say that, long-long time ago. Since windows 95 when the ”piracy” was a tool for windows popularity and the best thing that happens to microsoft ever. The matter is in this case we speak for what we write to our keyboards and to have an… account to any idiot do not sounds normal.
“Nope windows do not have any connection to the internet”, I really hope you are being sarcastic with that phrase…
Do any of these work on macbooks and trace while a user is logged out?
anyone know of a keylogger that can be installed remotely via email when you do not have access to the target pc? Spytector and Ardamax do that however they make you use an exe. file to send in the email which is flagged by most email services so it can’t be done. Any ideas? Win-spy does it through dropbox or google files but I had problems downloading from their site. No good either.
As attachments are probably the number one way to be infected with malware, virtually every keylogger will get flagged in this way.
Then how do you keylog your computer without compromising it ..
With common sense and a little bit to research. By its very nature, a keylogger is a tool that could be used by anyone for malicious purposes.
Use a Rar to hide the exe or promt the user to rename the file themselves (i’d prefer first option)
what is free?
I tried a few keyloggers. They all do not correctly draw special characters like @ \ etc. Is there a free or cheap alternative?
I gave a try to the free trial version of Spytector and it found all the passwords I stored in Google Chrome.
Hi. Do you happen to have another link for Actual Keylogger Free Version (because the link to CNET no longer works [it goes to a page but there is no such version on CNET search anymore]). Thank you. (btw great site. I remember coming here years ago… just recently crashed old hard drive and having to reinstall apps and since old ones some can’t find anymore, trying new ones) if I can. john
I’ve just tried Iwantsoft Free Keylogger, and I must say it is the absolute winner for me. It records literally everything, and it includes such professional features as website blocking, alerts, quick installer builder etc. It can even deliver your logs in 4 different ways. And it is REALLY free, the advanced options are NOT locked, unlike the other programs!
PS: You have an outdated version in your review. It’s already 5.0 on their website.
Which one is that? did not see that in the list. Is it called something else here?
It’s on the second page
To be fair to Tim, the article was updated with Iwantsoft Free Keylogger some months after he posted the comment. In the previous article he saw, the product was just called “Free Keylogger”.
I am looking for a keylogger that can be used on 2 computers, iPad, android and iPhone. Suggestions?
Which key logger will show u the most info, including screenshots, run invisibly, and do they encrypt encrypted emails and messages?
Raymond, thank you very much for the very good list. I know some of the keyloggers that you posted and have used them by myself.
I can recommend Refog Keylogger and also Actual Keylogger and Revealer Keylogger. All of those programms will help you and surelly can recommend it. However, allow me to mention Rymond: none of them are free. The Trialversion is FREE as with almost all programms. But they are not free.
The Keyloggers that I like most and that I did not find on this list are: Ardamax Keylogger on the one hand ( ardamax.com/ ), and also my all time favorite Wolfeye Keylogger ( .wolfeye.us/ ). Of course they also offer a trial version, and Wolfeye Keylogger gives you a real FREE version for one computer.
But the reason I recommend these is: they both run extremely stable and take very little system resources. And also for me they are very easy to use. Finally the support is awesome which I find very important too.
I hope this helps!
FrankNY
I’m about to download and try a 5 day free trial of spyrix personal monitor ( as free one is not invisible, so defeats the purpose!!)
My question is this: is it worth the money or are there equally good products for less cost?
Thank you
Do any of these product not get picked up by virus software, not cause glitches with the mouse, AND run completely undetected?
You can’t find a free keylogger that actually works without being picked up by antivirus software. Believe me, I tried a lot :) And most of the paid for keyloggers are detected too… I read so many claims about a keylogger being undetectable to antivirus programs and then through testing I found exactly the opposite to be true. The most undetected keylogger is Spytector, search on Google for it, but a bit pricey though.
“iSam is the free keylogger”
No, its not! It is free for 3 Days! It is not free software
It was free when the article was written…
I recommend Perfect Keylogger Lite as well
All are detectable by the antivurs, I recommend Spia Net Screen that until the moment is undetectable
I just need to know which keys are used the most when I clean the keyboard (tiny alcohol prep pads- don’t want to waste them on unused keys)…maybe a uv light or something.
Do any of these detect the virtual keyboard in windows?
Do any of these keyloggers report *how long* a key was pressed (in milliseconds)? I would like to see how long my keypresses vary from key to key. Example: I press ‘j’ for an average of 150ms, but I press ‘i’ for an average of 210ms.
May you can use this code for each key. And run while your computer is on.
$(captureInput).keydown(function(event){ //Press
startDOWNPress = (new Date()).getTime();
.
. //Codigo no util para el ejemplo
.
$(captureInput).keypress(function(event){ //KeepPress
startPressUP = (new Date()).getTime();
.
.//example code
.
$(captureInput).keyup(function(event){ //Release
startUPDOWN= (new Date()).getTime();
But to do that well, you would need an specific device. It is very difficult to measure the time you are pressing a key just by software, because this data is no relevant for keyboard function, just to repeat a key, so the interval measured is much longer than 1 milisecond.
However you can install an electronic signal capturer between your keyboard and your computer in order to get all electronic signals and sending time.
Are any of them runable with startup, aside being invisible ?
Well, would this record the typed in passwords in chrome or any other browser? I don’t think so
Why don’t you think so? These are keyloggers so if you type something into a browser, they will record it.
But in the password box?
Yes, a keylogger can detect what is written in the browser password box.
Flogger is password protected to hide the virus inside!
It’s a keylogger, do you think antivirus software is always going to ignore software like this?
Even though it is a keylogger, VirusTotal gives this a detection score of 8/63, and 7 of those are just guesses and not actual “detections”.
i have an employee who consistently does not listen to me asking her to not run chat or live stream videos on her computer. She is now on our computer that has our financials on there; and I caught her again with live streaming on when I walked in. Im going to go over our employee handbook again, make her SIGN EACH paragraph and then put this on here. We’re a small non-profit, and to lose our financials would be the end of us. Yes, I do backup; but still – there’s no need for her to continue this. (I have to have solid proof of her continual lack of performing duties in order to bring this before my board for dismissal. Sad fact.)
Do these keyloggers show when the computer is turned on and when it goes dormant for a while (20 mins?) it shows computer closed? She comes in late when she knows im out and then fibs about it.) sigh…
Seems like your employee can’t follow simple instructions on the proper use of company equipment. You’ve advised her about it – I’d say it’s time to start looking for a replacement. Bonus points if you can get her to train the replacement.
instead of using key logger, might as well control your internet trafficking from the router; way more effeicent to monitor and block anything that’s internet related :P
Agreed on the filtering by router/firewall. Disable the ability to do live streaming amongst other things. If that can’t be done, what other things aren’t secure there?
how do i shut off actual keylogger if i would run it accidently
is that keylogger able to monitoring remote pc activities and how do we need to send a remote file ?
keys send to your emails which you enter in applicaton which you use
The best use for a keylogger, IMO, is to log your session, so if there are any file problems, you can recover all the text that you wrote.
I am looking for a Keylogger software (either free or paid) to mainly monitor and record the emails sent and received by the employees (Online Activities) in the company I am working for it. Can anyone advise what is the best application to be used for that purpose? Thank you.
You do not need a keylogger for that. You just need to be admin for you email server.
Have all emails copied to an external account that only you have access to.
Monitoring emails is legitimate if you have a policy (signed) by employees that states you will monitor email and browsing use. Using a keylogger is not, and I would imagine if found out you’d get some very annoyed employees who would be looking to leave very quickly and do so via a tribunal.
G³ iSam. License: “Free to try for 3 days! It is currently $37.40 to purchase which comes with a lifetime membership and 3 floating licenses or keys that can each be updated for free for life.” “Although the program is hidden when running, it shows up in task manager, program’s folder and uninstaller list.” Very bad.
Excelente el Key, me funcionó inmediatamente
WOw, this article may do me a great favor.
hi i want install a keylogger in my office system but it is strickly asking UAC admin password to install the software so how can i install i tried all portable applications i want keylogger start at windows start in system but portable keyloggers are not working at windows start is there any software without install and get good monitoring for system
Download it at a home computer and put it on a flashdrive, sd card, or a cloud system like google drive. Then just retreave it at work, boom. That simple! Hope that helps
I’m using best free keylogger. good enough for me.
yup it’s a nice app.
which of these keyloggers can be used to detect windows login password
Any of these work, if the computer just booted up then no, you have to run the program first.
But if it asks for an admin password ( Such as updating Java or Adobe Flash Player ) than yes, it will record the data.
P.S.
Stop trying to steal your moms admin password to your family desktop ;)
which key logger provides us to send information via email so that i can monitor from anywhere plz name it and it should be free
I used NetBull keylogger recently and I must say it’s very good.
Raymond, I suggest you test NetBull, it would be a good add-on to your list.
Spytector and Netbull are undetectable by most antivirus software. So you don’t have to turn your virus protection off :)
I have to use the Actual Keylogger on my computer. Is it 100% safe? I’m afraid that he’ll send my logs to the people who can misuse them.
Nice..
Im using Spyrix
Grreat and very informative about the most valuable keyloggers. I use Spyrix keylogger. Spyrix provides free keylogger software which is helpful for monitoring your children, spouse, employees in company….
Hi.
Nowdays people open their email through smart phone. If i want to purchase an keylogger to crack an yahoo password and i dont have any physical access to it, if the device is smart phone. Will it success?
Can you suggest the best keylogger to this situation.
Hi, do you have any suggestions that will work on smart phones? Looking for an App that is free, hidden and will work just like some of these keyloggers. Any information will be appreciated. Thank you.
Great list! I’m using revealer free keylogger. It’s perfect!
Thank you for the post about the top 10 keyloggers, Is it undetectable? and can it be attached to link & send it to email?
I was just wondering if there is malware in the actual keylogger . My antivirus keeps popping up and I realize that the keylogger is spy ware. I just don’t want any other malware added at the same time since I will have to give it permission to run.
Which keylogger are you talking about? Most antivirus software will complain when you install a keylogger on purpose because of what it does and the methods it uses to achieve the keylogging.
keylogger is a type of virus but (depending on which one u get) it wont do anything to harm your computer. all you need to do is turn your virus protection off>> install logger >> then turn it back on
Thx a lot good work keep going
a millon thanks raymond for your support
Many Thanks for these wonderful e-mails you sent Raymond all the best…
thanks good keyloggers
good one..
thx raymond….
gooooooooooooooood
thx raymond!
Thanks Raymond. Good one.
thanx Raymond… same with you….