A keylogger is a program that records all keys pressed by the computer user. Although keylogging software is often used by cyber attackers, it has also legitimate uses within businessmen who want to improve employees efficiency. A good keylogger can record all user activity and provide the admin with detailed reports about every team members productivity.
Whats more, keylogging software can be used for parental control purposes. Parents usually install such programs on their kids devices to ensure they are safe online and dont access any inappropriate content. Whatever your monitoring needs are, you must always use a keylogger on the device that you own. Without further ado, lets look through the best keyloggers for Windows, their main features, pros, cons, and pricing.
#1 Spyrix Free Keylogger
Spyrix Free Keylogger is the best solution by far when it comes to pricing and features. As the name suggests, this Windows keylogger is free of charge. Other than recording all keystrokes (including passwords), the program lets you monitor all running applications on the target computer. Whats more, Spyrix records all content copied to the clipboard and captures screenshots at a set period of time. It is one of the few free keylogging solutions that offer remote monitoring through an online account.
Pros:
- free of charge;
- removable drives and printer control;
- remote monitoring;
- offers analytics module;
- easy to install and use.
Cons:
- the number of monitoring features is limited since the app is free;
- ads in the free version.
Pricing: free.
#2 Actual Keylogger
Actual Keylogger is a powerful program for remote computer monitoring. This Windows app records all pressed keystrokes, clipboard events, Internet connections, startup and shutdown operations, and print activity. All recorded data can be checked locally in the program or remotely through email-reports, LAN, or FTP. Actual Keylogger generates reports in text and HTML formats for your convenience.
Pros:
- flexible configuration;
- compatible with all the latest Windows version;
- easy to use and install;
- hidden operating mode;
- a free trial;
- invisible in the process list.
Cons:
- a paid app.
Pricing: begins with $59.95 per 1 PC.
#3 KidInspector
KidInspector is a convenient application for parental control and other monitoring needs. Its simple user interface and abundance of monitoring features make it a delight to use. As for the features, the app records all pressed keys, chats in social messengers, website activities, and used applications. Moreover, it turns the target gadget into a powerful surveillance system since it can record sounds and live surrounds through the mic and webcam.
Pros:
- easy to use for everybody;
- compatible with all operating systems;
- screen broadcasting;
- search queries recording;
- a free trial;
- remote tracking.
Cons: the app is paid due to the abundance of features.
Pricing: $59 per year.
#4 Elite Keylogger
Elite Keylogger is also a reliable app for recording keystrokes on Windows devices. Besides, it records clipboard events, captures screenshots, and monitors opened applications. Designed with parents in mind, the app records visited URLs and websites as well as chats and instant messengers like Skype, AOL, etc. The app offers a hidden mode and runs silently on the monitored computer. Further, its not detected by most widely-used anti-virus programs.
Pros:
- can monitor up to 25 computers;
- is available in multiple languages;
- remote monitoring;
- log delivery to LAN, FTP, or email;
- convenient interface.
Cons:
- the Windows version is not cheap;
- compatible with XP SP3 (x86), Vista – 8.1.
- the website and interface look a bit spartan.
Pricing: begins with $79 per computer.
#5 KidLogger
Initially, Kidlogger was designed for parents but it can be also used for employee monitoring and personal needs. This application shows you how much time the user spends in front of the computer screen, what Windows apps they use, and who they communicate with. Moreover, Kidlogger records all visited websites letting you know what the target is up to. It also captures screenshots when specific keywords are entered. The app monitors all computer users.
Pros:
- offers a demo;
- compatible with all latest Windows versions;
- invisible to the user;
- can capture webcam snapshots;
- offers a site blocker.
Cons:
- can monitor up to 10 devices;
- the free version offers a limited number of features.
Pricing: begins with 29$ per 3 months.
#6 Refog Keylogger
Refog is an ultimate Windows keylogger with an abundance of monitoring features. It lets you keep an eye on whats happening on your device while youre not present. Since Refog records browsing history, tracks online chats, and social networks, parents will find this app useful for kids monitoring. Additionally, the app captures screenshots giving you a vivid picture of what the target user is doing when youre absent. All screenshots are captured without letting the end-user know.
Pros:
- file tracking;
- remote monitoring;
- simple UI;
- free support;
- hidden mode.
Cons:
- doesnt offer a free version or a trial;
- the license is not cheap.
Pricing: begins with $30 per user per month.
#7 Revealer Keylogger
Revealer keylogger is another popular solution for remote monitoring of user activities. Other than an online account, it offers FTP, Dropbox, email, and LAN log delivery. Interestingly, the app is invisible on the monitored device, including Task Manager. The program automatically captures screenshots and records online conversations on Skype, Facebook, GTalk, and more.
Pros:
- offers a free version;
- available on multiple languages;
- live support;
- reliable developer;
- compatible with all Windows versions.
Cons:
- the free version offers a few useful features;
- the installation process is complicated if you arent tech-savvy.
Pricing: starts at $39.99 per month.
#8 NetBull Keylogger for Windows
Though this app is not widely-known, its also a reliable keylogging program for Windows computers. The app keeps a record of all visited websites, emails, pressed keystrokes, messages on social networks, etc. Unlike other keyloggers from the list, this program can recover the user names and passwords stored in the most popular web browsers like Opera, Google Chrome, and Safari. Thanks to the advanced tracking features, the app is suitable for parental control and employee monitoring needs.
Pros:
- can be used in all Windows environments;
- undetectable to antivirus software;
- powerful features;
- easy to use.
Cons:
- the solution is new, so youll find few customer reviews about the app;
- complicated pricing.
Pricing: depends on the type of log delivery you want to use. For instance, an email account costs $14.99 per 2 months.
#9 Ardamax Keylogger
Ardamax is a flexible keylogger for comprehensive monitoring of user activities on Windows desktops. Running silently in the background, the app records all keystrokes and saves the data to an encrypted log file available for the admin. The keyloggers can also capture screenshots periodically and use the computer mic to record surrounding sounds. The captured logs are sent to you through email, FTP, and local area network.
Pros:
- advanced security;
- remote tracking;
- the keylogger records chats in IMs like ICQ, Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger, Skype, Yahoo Messenger, etc.;
- recording of live surroundings.
Cons:
- the interface is a bit complicated.
Pricing: begins with $49 per computer.
#10 Spytech SpyAgent
Spytech is more than a usual keylogger since it records everything the computer user is doing while youre absent. Other than keystroke recording, the application captures website activities, application usage, activity on the social networks and instant messengers, etc. Whats more, its capable of recording live surroundings through the webcam.
Pros:
- password-protected;
- allows scheduling PC lockdown;
- invisible to the target user;
- remote uninstallation;
- can display a warning screen that the user is being monitored (helpful for employee monitoring).
Cons:
- suitable for tech-savvies;
- complicated pricing;
- advanced features are purchased separately.
Pricing: $69.95.