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Good keylogger software has become a need ever since most of the work, including those in education, IT, ITES, and marketing, has shifted to remote mode, may it be for some desired period or permanently. In the present blog, we are going to discuss 10 best Keylogger Software along with their salient features. Also, we will discuss what a good Keylogger Software should consist of.
What is a keylogger?
Keylogger is an abbreviation of keystroke logger, which is also called keyboard capturer and keylogging software.
Basically, it can be software or hardware that is used to record each key pressing of a computer without the knowledge of the user. It cannot be detected as it works in invisible/stealthy mode.
Its primary function is to monitor the computer activity of the user. It keeps a record of everything typed, may it be a text document, passwords, posts, comments, personal messages on social apps, financial data, etc. You can monitor employee Skype chat conversations, WhatsApp chat conversations, email chat conversations etc. as well.
Keylogger hardware is connected through a USB port and is visible. It can be detected and removed easily, and so it is of less demand. Hardware is suitable for small kid users.
Purpose of keylogger software
Keyloggers are storing tools of keypress data and they don’t interfere with the working of the computer, blocking its data.
Its primary use is to monitor the activities of the user and it is used mainly by parents to monitor their kids’ activities on the computer. Also, it is used by organizations as employee monitoring, to monitor the activities of their employees, keeping productivity in mind.
To curtail the misuse of any keylogger software, one should check the installation and running of it on your computer periodically.
Also, it is used by hackers or anyone else to steal data. So, it is advised to use a virtual keyboard when you apprehend or suspect that a Keylogger may be installed on the device.
The legality of keylogger software
It may come to your mind whether it is legal to use this tool to monitor employees. The answer is yes; it is legal, logical, and legitimate to monitor your child or employees on a computer. Whenever you install a Keylogger Software on someone’s device/computer, be confirmed that you are in the capacity of an administrator and possess admin rights. In more simple words, the device you are monitoring should always be accessible to you as an admin.
Best 10 keylogger software
- Kernel Employee Desktop Live Viewer
It is an easy-to-use yet powerful tool to monitor activities on your computer. It works in stealthy/invisible mode.PROS
- It records every keystroke: text messages/chats/ conversations (both sides), e-mail messages and attachments, documents typed, copied, printed & uploaded, etc.
- Records every print command, file name, print time, and printer name.
- Records passwords and login/log-out time.
- Records every e-mail activity that is accessed without the use of SSL (Secured Socket Layer) with date, time, subject, and attachments.
- Records every internet activity.
- Records every application with the time of launch, name, and path of execution.
- Records screenshots of the desktop.
- All the records are kept in chronological order in encrypted form.
- Monitoring logs are saved in HTML format.
- You can receive logs through e-mail, FTP, and LAN accounts.
- Outdated monitoring logs are deleted automatically.
CONS
- The free version comes with limitations.
- Captured screenshots are not saved in the free version.
- The preview of captured screenshots is blurred in the free version.
- All In One Keylogger
It is an easy-to-use, invisible, non-detectable surveillance software used to monitor all the activities on your computer and to keep the record of the same as encrypted logs, which you can receive automatically to a desired E-mail/FTP/LAN account.
PROS:- Records all keystrokes, text copied to the clipboard, text chats (both ends), e-mail messages, names of documents printed, names of files created, deleted, or renamed, passwords, websites visited, etc.
- It can record sounds using a computer microphone, provided the sound level is above some specific level.
- The activity log is stored in chronological order with encryption.
- You can receive logs through e-mail, FTP, LAN, or you can copy the log automatically to an adjusted USB or external hard disk.
CONS
- The free version comes with limitations. For more features, one has to buy the Pro version.
It supports XP, Vista, Windows 7/8/10/11.
- Ardamax Keylogger
It keeps records of all the activities performed on your computer. It is an easy-to-use yet powerful tool that is invisible to the user.
PROS- It can send the registries it stores by e-mail or via FTP.
- It saves every keystroke: text copied to the clipboard, message conversation, etc.
- It can record audio from a computer microphone.
- Can capture passwords.
- It saves logins in chronological order in the encrypted log file which only the admin can access.
- Its activation and deactivation both need a password.
CONS
- The trial version comes with some limitations.
- To install it, you need to turn off antivirus programs.
It supports Windows 7/8/XP/Vista.
- Best Free Keylogger
It is an easy-to-use and invisible tool to monitor computer activities.
PROS- Records every keystroke: text copied to clipboard, text message conversation, typed documents, etc.
- Captures screenshots of every desktop activity.
- Monitors applications used/installed on your PC.
- Stores the captured log in the encrypted log form.
- Automatic cleaning of the log after the set time.
- Can help you block the internet/any application as per your wish.
CONS
- The free version comes with limitations.
It supports Vista and Windows 7/8/8.1/10.
- Elite Keylogger
It is an easy-to-use, invisible computer activity monitor. It is available in English, Russian and Spanish languages for Windows OS.
PROS- It records every keystroke: chats, passwords, text copied to clipboard, email messages, etc.
- Log is saved in chronological order in encrypted form.
- Record logs can be received by e-mail, FTP, LAN, or USB flash drive.
- It hides itself from antivirus, anti-rootkit, and anti-spyware Apps.
CONS
- The free version comes with limitations.
It supports Mac OS X, Windows XP, SP3, Vista, 7/8/10
- Free Keylogger
It is an easy-to-use tool that is completely free; its upgrade is also free. You can hide or unhide it, using a password.
PROS- It records every keystroke: text typed, messages texted, documents, sites visited, social network activities, e-mail messages, and attachments, copied text, etc.
- It records applications used.
- It can capture screens, snapshots from a webcam, and sound from a microphone.
- The log is saved in chronological order in encrypted form.
CONS
- Its reviews are not satisfactory.
It supports Windows.
- Refog monitor
It is an easy-to-use yet powerful tool to monitor computer activities.
PROS- It records every keystroke: text messages, documents, text copied to the clipboard, documents printed, documents shared or uploaded, message conversations, e-mail messages, attachments, etc.
- It records applications used, sites visited, etc.
- The stored log is saved in the encrypted log form.
- The log can be received through e-mail, and FTP/LAN account.
CONS
- It is not available as a universal monitor as you need to choose from Personal monitor, employee monitor, and HoverWatch.
- The trial version is available for 3days only.
It supports Windows 10/8.1/8/7 and Mac OS 10.5-10.15
- Spyrix Free Keylogger
It is another popular keylogger.
PROS- It records every keystroke: text message, passwords, documents typed, copied, printed & uploaded, e-mail messages & attachments, etc.
- Records applications opened.
- Records sites visited.
- Captures screenshots of the desktop.
- You can watch it in real-time.
- Gives access to control social networks, internet messengers, e-mail control, site visits, etc.
- The saved log is encrypted.
CONS
- The free version comes with limitations.
- You need to pay for enhanced features contained in Spyrix Personal Monitor or Spyrix Employee Monitor.
It supports Windows Vista, 7/8/10
- Kidlogger
It is basically meant for monitoring kids’ activities on the computer so that concerned parents can plan and control their activities as a precaution.
PROS- It records every keystroke: names of folders/documents opened, text messages, chats/conversations (both sides), applications downloaded or used, etc.
- Records sites visited even if browsing history is deleted.
- Helps you track the time spent by your child in front of the computer.
- For Android, it shows people communicated and places/locations visited.
- Records screenshots of the desktop every 15 seconds during a Skype video conversation.
CONS
- It is for kids mainly
It supports Windows, Mac, and Android OS.
- Revealer Keylogger
It is an easy-to-use tool that works in invisible mode and is meant for monitoring kids and employees.
PROS- It records keystrokes: text messages, chats/conversations on both sides, e-mail messages and attachments, documents typed, named, renamed, copied, printed, uploaded, etc., and passwords.
- Records applications used/installed.
- Records sites visited.
- Captures screenshots of the desktop.
- You can watch screenshots in real-time as well.
- Records the logs in chronological order in encrypted form.
- Can receive logs via e-mail, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, FTP, or LAN.
CONS
- The free version comes with limitations.
- Screenshots are available with the Pro version only.
- Full invisibility in the Pro version only. Remote monitoring is available in the Pro version only.
Works in all Windows versions.
Conclusion
The present article was to provie you acquainted with the primary and requisite features of an efficient Keylogger. It can help you decide which Computer Keylogger suits your needs most. There can be a misuse of such Keyloggers for illegal or unethical purposes. In such cases, when you apprehend or suspect that the device may have any keylogger installed on it, you should beware of using crucial sites like your bank account, making money transactions, feeding passwords, etc., which you are advised to do with a virtual keyboard. We hope you find this blog helpful.