TapNoiseCompare
TapNoise vs Mechvibes.
A free, open-source app that plays mechanical keyboard sounds as you type, with an editor for making and sharing your own sound packs. Here is how it and TapNoise differ on price, refunds and features, so you can choose. We make TapNoise.
Before you compareIts author is building a successor, MechvibesDX, in a separate repository. The Mechvibes README says that repository will remain available during the transition.
| Feature | TapNoise | Mechvibes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | US$7.99 one time, plus tax | Free, open source under the MIT licence |
| Trial or refund | 14-day refund, no trial | Not stated |
| Macs per purchase | 2 Macs | Not stated |
| Needs | macOS 14 or later. Motion features need a MacBook with a motion sensor | macOS (Intel and Apple silicon builds), Windows and Linux. Minimum macOS version not stated |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Sounds | 20 sounds | Not stated |
| A sound for every keyEach keystroke plays a sound. | Yes | Yes |
| Switch-style soundsSounds modelled on mechanical switches. | Yes | Yes |
| Your own sound packsAdd sound packs you made yourself. | No | Yes |
| A desktop buddyTappy, a keycap that reacts as you type. | Yes | Not listed |
| MacBook body soundsSlaps, lid creaks and charger or USB chimes. | Yes | Not listed |
| Guard ModeAn alarm if the MacBook is lifted or the charger is pulled. | Yes | Not listed |
| Clean ModeLocks the keys for a minute, so you can wipe them. | Yes | Not listed |
| Agent soundsSounds when Claude Code, Codex or Cursor is done or needs you. | Yes | Not listed |
| Knock commandsKnock twice to play or pause music, or mute your mic in a call. | Yes | Not listed |
Other apps’ prices and features are taken from their own sites, store pages and repositories, checked on 9 October 2026. “Not listed” means we could not find it there; the app may still have it. “Not stated” means the source does not say. TapNoise is our app. If something here is wrong, email support@tapnoise.com and we will fix it.
Which should you choose?
Choose TapNoise
If you want a desktop buddy, MacBook body sounds, Guard Mode, Clean Mode, agent sounds and knock commands: TapNoise has them, and we couldn’t find them in Mechvibes’s listing. It is US$7.99 once, for up to 2 Macs, with a 14-day refund.
Choose Mechvibes
If you want a free, open-source app, or you want to make your own sound packs, on macOS, Windows or Linux.
Both apps list a sound for every key and switch-style sounds.
Mechvibes’s details come from its own pages: github.com, checked on 9 October 2026. The best Mechvibes alternatives, too.
Pay once. Keep it.
US$7.99 once, plus tax, for up to 2 Macs, with a 14-day refund and no subscription. For Macs on macOS 14 or later.