Squirrel vs XKey
Side-by-side comparison for macOS
Squirrel
7.0Rime input method engine
XKey
8.0Vietnamese input method engine
| Metric | Squirrel | XKey |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Utilities | Utilities |
| AI Score | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| 30-day Installs | 760 | 204 |
| 90-day Installs | 2.0K | 464 |
| 365-day Installs | 6.7K | 464 |
| Version | 1.1.2 | 1.2.21,20260504.1 |
| Auto-updates | Yes | Yes |
| Deprecated | No | No |
| GitHub Stars | 5.8K | 357 |
| GitHub Forks | 466 | 40 |
| Open Issues | 193 | - |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Swift | Swift |
| Last GitHub Commit | 3mo ago | 1mo ago |
| First Seen | Oct 18, 2013 | Feb 7, 2026 |
Reviews
Squirrel
Squirrel is a macOS implementation of the Rime input method engine, designed for efficient text input in multiple languages, particularly Chinese. It offers real-time input, customizable configurations, and supports a wide range of input methods, benefiting users who need flexible and powerful text input solutions.
Squirrel provides an input method engine for macOS, supporting various languages and input methods, with a focus on Chinese.
Pros
- + Cross-platform support with active development
- + Highly customizable input configurations
- + Real-time input processing for efficiency
Cons
- - Installer may be outdated or have issues
- - Lack of visual indicators for input modes
XKey
XKey is an open-source Vietnamese input method engine for macOS, providing a lightweight and effective way to type Vietnamese. It supports multiple keyboard layouts and integrates seamlessly with macOS, benefiting users who need to input Vietnamese regularly.
Enables users to input Vietnamese characters on macOS with support for various keyboard layouts.
Pros
- + Open-source with active maintenance
- + Supports multiple keyboard layouts
- + Seamless macOS integration
- + Auto-update feature
Cons
- - Name may cause confusion with NSA's XKeyscore
- - Specialized for Vietnamese input