Why Typing Software?

Being a skilled typist will give you a great advantage over others in the job field who aren’t as good, no matter the profession. Typing software offers the tools, features, lessons, exercises and tests to help you keyboard better and faster. No matter your age or skill level, it’s worth using the software to improve your keyboarding. As you look for the best typing software, be sure to read our product reviews and check out our articles on typing software.

We took a look at several typing software apps for both Windows PCs and Apple computers running OS X, and we offer comprehensive reviews on applications such as Typing Instructor Platinum, UltraKey and Mavis Becon Teaches Typing. We hope it will help you make an informed decision on which typing software is right for you.

If you're looking to increase your typing speed, accuracy or 10-key skills, typing software offers the lessons you need to get the job done. You can focus your typing practice on anything from just one hand to one finger.

Take advantage of challenging and entertaining typing software games included with the applications to step up your fun. Typing games are excellent mental recreation for aspiring typists of all ages. Some of the typing software applications we looked at come with these games, and their goal is to also keep your mind in motion. Games are also a great way to practice, and they keep kids‘ attention focused.

It’s important that you’re able to chart your progress as you work with the typing software. Most typing programs make it pretty easy to monitor your keying skills, words per minute speed increases and more. Initial skill level tests can pinpoint your ideal starting level, and progress reports and graphs show you how much your typing has improved.

Typing Software: What to Look For

Top typing software is easy to use, and offers a wide selection of typing tests, lessons, games and customizable options to make your typing experience enjoyable. Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate typing software.

Ease of Use
The features and instructions for the typing software should be easy to find and simple enough for anyone, of any age and with any skill level, to use and learn. The typing software should be easy to install and should not cause errors during installation.

Feature Set
Typing tutorial software should provide new users with a pretest to determine the best typing level to start. The application should have optional warm-up exercises available as well. Some of the most common features include:

• A large number of lessons and skill tests

• 10-key training

• Audio and video dictation

• The ability to track your progress

• Customizable practice options

• Typing games

Help & Support
Typing software help files should be straightforward and right where you need them, whether it’s a user manual or help online. The typing software manufacturer may offer telephone or email technical support and an online FAQs page as well.


Typing programs will help to teach anyone of any age learn how to type, or improve their keyboarding skills. Whether you're interested in typing for work or for pleasure, with typing software, reaching your goals is just a few keystrokes away.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.™

 
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In the information age, typing has become a skill we use every day in our homes and workplaces. Typing software can help teach proper typing techniques, or hone your skills.

Rank #1#2#3#4#5#6
Excellent score   Excellent
Very good score   Very Good
Good score   Good
Fair score   Fair
Poor score   Poor
Typing Instructor Platinum UltraKey Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Typing Instructor Deluxe 21st Century Typing TypingMaster Pro
Typing Instructor Platinum UltraKey Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Typing Instructor Deluxe 21st Century Typing TypingMaster Pro
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Lowest Price Buy Typing Instructor Platinum
$29.99
Buy UltraKey 6
$39.95
Buy Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Platinum 25
$24.99
Buy Typing Instructor Deluxe
$19.95
Buy 21st Century Typing
$14.99
Buy TypingMaster Pro Premium 7
$39.90
 
Overall Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good
Ratings
Ease of Use Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Excellent Very Good
Feature Set Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good
Help/Support Excellent Excellent Very Good Excellent Very Good Very Good
View Specifications Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!
View Screenshots View Typing Instructor Platinum screenshots View UltraKey screenshots View Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing screenshots View Typing Instructor Deluxe screenshots View 21st Century Typing screenshots View TypingMaster Pro screenshots
Features
Target Age Group All 8+ 8+ All 8+ All
Lessons
Number of Lessons 20+ 14 44 64 14 27
Number of Practice Sessions 300+ unlimited 430 80 14 135
10-Key Lessons Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Speed Building Lessons Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Accuracy Building Exercises Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Individual Finger Lessons Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Graduated Lessons Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Guide Hands for... Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Tests
Number of Tests 20 148 14+ 26 14 22
Initial Skills Level Test Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Timed Speed Tests Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Timed Accuracy Tests Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
10-Key Tests Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Create Custom Tests & Timings Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
Warm-ups   Check Mark    Check Mark  
Results & Progress
Words per Minute Results Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Accuracy Results Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Adjusted Words per Minute Results Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Auto Save Results on all Activities Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
Progress Reports by Key, Finger and Hand Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Graphs: Bar, Line & Stacked Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Printable Results Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Certificates of Achievements Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Practice Material
Number of Practice Articles 250+ 68   300+ 75  
Import Custom Practice Articles Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
Create Custom Practice Articles Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
Download Additional Practice Material   Check Mark   Check Mark   
Games
Number of Games 30+   16 10 2 4
Keyboard & 10-Key Challenges Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   
Multi-Level Play Check Mark    Check Mark   
Customize/Personalize
Customizable User Options Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Create Custom Drills Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
Add Sounds for Correct/Incorrect Keys Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Audio and/or Video Dictation Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark  
Add Your Own Music Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   
Adjustable Text Size Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Download to Palm OS Handheld   Check Mark Check Mark    
Multi-Language Support
English Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Spanish Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark
French    Check Mark    Check Mark
Italian       Check Mark
Help/Support
Phone Support Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
Manual Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark
FAQ Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark
Knowledge Base Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark  
Email address Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Online Form   Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark
Tutorials   Check Mark   Check Mark   
Download updates   Check Mark     Check Mark
Supported Configurations
Windows 7 Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   
Vista Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
XP Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
2000 Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
MAC Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    
Additional Licenses
Multi-User Licenses 10+ User Licenses School & Home   10+ User Licenses   
 
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Lowest Price Typing Instructor Platinum
$29.99
UltraKey 6
$39.95
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Platinum 25
$24.99
Typing Instructor Deluxe
$19.95
21st Century Typing
$14.99
TypingMaster Pro Premium 7
$39.90
Review of Typing Instructor Platinum
Review of Typing Instructor...
Improve your typing speed with Ultra Key
Improve your typing speed with Ultra...