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Utilities · head to head

Karabiner-Elements vs Mimestream

Karabiner-Elements logo

Karabiner-Elements

Utilities

Free open source keyboard remapper for macOS, working at driver level before the OS sees a keystroke

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mimestream logo

Mimestream

Productivity

Native Mac email client built specifically for Gmail and Google Workspace accounts, and nothing else

From
$4.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Karabiner-Elements has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Karabiner-Elements it requires granting significant system-level permissions, including input monitoring, which some security-conscious users are reluctant to allow.; Mimestream it only works with Gmail and Google Workspace, so it is entirely useless for anyone with an iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo or other IMAP account.
  • They diverge on capability: Karabiner-Elements covers Low-level key remapping, Mimestream covers Native Gmail labels.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Karabiner-Elements and Mimestream actually diverge.

Attributes where Karabiner-Elements and Mimestream differ
AttributeKarabiner-ElementsMimestream
Starting priceFree$4.99/month
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feePer user per month
Free tierYesNo
CategoryUtilitiesProductivity

Identical on both: platforms (Mac), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Karabiner-Elements

  • Low-level key remapping
  • Complex modifications
  • Per-app and per-device rules
  • Complex modification rule library
  • Simple modifications GUI
  • Apple Silicon native

Only in Mimestream

  • Native Gmail labels
  • Gmail filters
  • Fast local search
  • Conversation threading
  • Multiple account support
  • Native macOS integration

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Karabiner-Elements

  • A developer who wants to remap Caps Lock to Escape or Control and needs tap versus hold behaviournot Mimestream
  • Someone switching from a Windows or Linux keyboard layout who wants familiar modifier positions on a Macnot Mimestream
  • A user with an accessibility need around key repeat rate or modifier key behaviour that macOS settings cannot covernot Mimestream
  • Anyone who wants serious keyboard customisation without paying for BetterTouchTool or a similar all-in-one toolnot Mimestream

Mimestream

  • A Mac user whose email is entirely Gmail or Google Workspace and wants a faster native alternative to the Gmail web appnot Karabiner-Elements
  • Someone who finds Apple Mail handling of Gmail labels and search unreliable or confusingnot Karabiner-Elements
  • A Google Workspace user managing multiple accounts who wants them combined in one native menu bar appnot Karabiner-Elements
  • A user who wants Gmail-specific filters and search operators without opening a browser tabnot Karabiner-Elements

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Karabiner-Elements

  • It requires granting significant system-level permissions, including input monitoring, which some security-conscious users are reluctant to allow.
  • Writing custom complex modification rules by hand means editing JSON, which is a real barrier for a non-technical user without the community rule library.
  • It only remaps keyboard input, so a user who also wants gesture or window management customisation needs a second tool such as BetterTouchTool or Rectangle.
  • Being an unpaid open source project, support depends on GitHub issues and community forums rather than a vendor support desk with guaranteed response times.
  • It is Mac only, so it does nothing for remapping needs on a Windows or Linux machine in the same household.

Mimestream

  • It only works with Gmail and Google Workspace, so it is entirely useless for anyone with an iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo or other IMAP account.
  • It is a subscription with no permanent free tier or lifetime purchase option, so the cost is ongoing for as long as it is used.
  • It is Mac only, so it does nothing for a Windows machine or for mobile email, which still relies on the standard Gmail app or another client.
  • Because it depends entirely on Gmail API access, any change Google makes to that API could affect Mimestream functionality outside the developer control.
  • A user who wants one email client for multiple different providers has to run Mimestream alongside a second app for non-Gmail accounts, rather than consolidating everything in one place.

Pricing, plan by plan

Karabiner-Elements

Free
  • Karabiner-ElementsFree
    • Free and open source under the MIT licence
    • Full functionality with no paid tier
    • Optional donation via GitHub Sponsors or PayPal

Mimestream

$4.99/month
  • Mimestream$4.99/month
    • 49.99 USD per year if billed annually
    • Free trial before purchase
    • Covers multiple Gmail or Google Workspace accounts

Which should you pick?

Choose Karabiner-Elements if

  • You need low-level key remapping.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want complex modifications.
Karabiner-Elements review

Choose Mimestream if

  • You need native gmail labels.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want gmail filters.
Mimestream review

Questions people ask

Is Karabiner-Elements or Mimestream better?
Neither clearly leads. Karabiner-Elements starts at Free and Mimestream at $4.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Karabiner-Elements or Mimestream?
Karabiner-Elements has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Karabiner-Elements and $4.99/month for Mimestream.
Does Karabiner-Elements or Mimestream run on more platforms?
Both run on Mac, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Karabiner-Elements for free?
Yes. Karabiner-Elements has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Mimestream starts at $4.99/month.
What is Karabiner-Elements best used for?
Karabiner-Elements is most often used for a developer who wants to remap caps lock to escape or control and needs tap versus hold behaviour, someone switching from a windows or linux keyboard layout who wants familiar modifier positions on a mac, a user with an accessibility need around key repeat rate or modifier key behaviour that macos settings cannot cover, anyone who wants serious keyboard customisation without paying for bettertouchtool or a similar all-in-one tool. Of those, a developer who wants to remap caps lock to escape or control and needs tap versus hold behaviour and someone switching from a windows or linux keyboard layout who wants familiar modifier positions on a mac are not what Mimestream is typically brought in for.
What can Karabiner-Elements do that Mimestream cannot?
Karabiner-Elements covers Low-level key remapping, Complex modifications, Per-app and per-device rules, Complex modification rule library. Mimestream covers Native Gmail labels, Gmail filters, Fast local search, Conversation threading.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Karabiner-Elements: Is Karabiner-Elements really free?

Yes, entirely. It is open source under the MIT licence with no paid tier, though the project accepts voluntary donations.

Mimestream: Does Mimestream work with Outlook or iCloud Mail?

No. It connects only to Gmail and Google Workspace accounts and cannot be used with any other provider.

Karabiner-Elements: Does it work on Apple Silicon Macs?

Yes, versions from 14 onward run natively on M1 through M4 chips.

Mimestream: Is Mimestream free?

No. It is a subscription at 4.99 US dollars a month or 49.99 dollars a year, with a free trial but no permanent free tier.

Karabiner-Elements: Do I need to write JSON to use it?

Not necessarily. Simple key swaps use a GUI, and complex modifications can be imported from a public community rule library instead of writing rules by hand.

Mimestream: Is it available on iPhone or iPad?

No. Mimestream is a Mac-only native app with no iOS version.

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