# 7 Best Keyboard Shortcut Extensions for Chrome (2026)

Source: https://supercommands.com/blogs/best-keyboard-shortcut-extensions-chrome-edge-brave
Author: Engineering Team
Updated: 2026-10-21

> Compare the best keyboard shortcut extension for Chrome, Edge and Brave: Vimium, Vimium C, Surfingkeys, Shortkeys, QuicKey and more, checked October 2026.

The best keyboard shortcut extension for Chrome is **Vimium** if you want to click links and scroll without a mouse, and **Shortkeys** if you want to bind your own keys to browser actions. If your shortcuts should open saved things (a set of work tabs, a note, a reply), a command tool like **SuperCommands** fits better. All seven install in Edge and Brave from the Chrome Web Store.

## What kind of shortcut extension do you need?

Pick the category first; most disappointment comes from installing the wrong one.

- **Modal (Vim-style):** Vimium turns single letters into commands. Press `f`, every link gets a badge, type the badge to click it.
- **Shortcut mappers:** Shortkeys lets you choose which combination does what.
- **Command and tab tools:** SuperCommands, QuicKey and Tabli open things by name: one key, a few letters, and you land on a tab, page or action.

## The 7 best keyboard shortcut extensions, compared

We checked each listing on October 21, 2026. User counts and ratings will drift.

| Extension | What the keys do | Users | Rating | Price |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Vimium | Link hints, scrolling | 600K | 4.8 | Free, MIT |
| Vimium C | Vimium plus per-site maps | 100K | 4.8 | Free, Apache-2.0 |
| Surfingkeys | Vim keys in JavaScript | 30K | 4.4 | Free, MIT |
| Shortkeys | Your own bindings | 100K | 3.2 | Free, MIT |
| SuperCommands | Open saved work | n/a | n/a | Free, open source |
| QuicKey | Recent-tab switching | 10K | 4.4 | Free |
| Tabli | Tab search across windows | 50K | 4.5 | Free |

### Vimium

**Best for:** clicking links without a mouse, zero setup.

[Vimium](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/vimium/dbepggeogbaibhgnhhndojpepiihcmeb) is the reference tool, with 27,000+ stars on [GitHub](https://github.com/philc/vimium); updated March 2026.

- Scenario: `f` shows link hints, `j`/`k` scroll, `T` searches open tabs, `x` closes a tab and `X` restores it.
- Skip it if: you live on the New Tab page or the Web Store, where Chrome blocks it; letter keys can clash with Gmail and GitHub.
- Price: free, MIT.

### Vimium C

**Best for:** Vimium users who hit its limits.

[Vimium C](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/vimium-c-all-by-keyboard/hfjbmagddngcpeloejdejnfgbamkjaeg) keeps every Vimium command and adds per-site mappings, eight global shortcuts, a `v` omnibox keyword and a PDF viewer ([README](https://github.com/gdh1995/vimium-c)).

- Key fact: Chrome and Edge 102+, Firefox 101+; last Chrome update April 2025.
- Skip it if: you dislike dense settings; docs are partly in Chinese.
- Price: free, Apache-2.0.

### Surfingkeys

**Best for:** scripting your browser.

[Surfingkeys](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/surfingkeys/gfbliohnnapiefjpjlpjnehglfpaknnc) is Vim-style, but every setting is JavaScript; updated October 2026.

- Scenario: `t` opens an omnibar, `ZZ` saves a tab session and `ZR` restores it, `I` edits a text box Vim-style ([GitHub](https://github.com/brookhong/Surfingkeys)).
- Skip it if: you do not want to edit a config file.
- Price: free, MIT.

### Shortkeys

**Best for:** choosing your own keys.

[Shortkeys](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/shortkeys-custom-keyboard/logpjaacgmcbpdkdchjiaagddngobkck) maps any keys to 125+ built-in actions, sequences like `g i`, macros of up to 10 actions, custom JavaScript and per-site filters.

- Key fact: 25 ready-made scripts; updated March 2026.
- Skip it if: you need reliability without testing; its 3.2 rating is the lowest here.
- Price: free, MIT.

### SuperCommands

**Best for:** shortcuts that open saved work. This is our extension.

[SuperCommands](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/supercommands/ebofbaomnlpjgnponhalmmihcgakodpj) gives hotkeys and typed commands to links, tab sets, notes and snippets.

- Scenario: type `c`, Space, `standup` in the address bar to open six meeting tabs; `c/followup` in a text field inserts a saved reply; `Alt + 1` opens a note ([keyboard shortcuts docs](https://supercommands.com/docs/keyboard-shortcuts)).
- Skip it if: you want link hints; it does not replace Vimium. Chrome, Edge and Brave only.
- Price: free and open source; the local version is 100% free, forever.

### QuicKey

**Best for:** jumping back to recent tabs.

[QuicKey](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/quickey-%E2%80%93-the-quick-tab-s/ldlghkoiihaelfnggonhjnfiabmaficg) adds `Alt + Tab` behavior: hold `Alt`, tap `Q` to cycle recent tabs (`Ctrl + W` on Mac); `Alt + Z` flips between the last two.

- Key fact: lists 25 recently closed tabs; cannot read page content.
- Skip it if: you want active development; last update October 2024.
- Price: free.

### Tabli

**Best for:** one searchable list across several windows.

[Tabli](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/tabli/igeehkedfibbnhbfponhjjplpkeomghi) shows every window and tab in a popup you navigate with arrow keys, and can save and restore windows.

- Key fact: the listing says it makes no outbound network connections; updated October 2026.
- Skip it if: you need page-level keys like link hints.
- Price: free.

> **Note:** We left out cVim and Saka Key (no current store listing) and AutoControl (no verifiable listing; Windows-only). For typing shortcuts, see our [text expander comparison](https://supercommands.com/blogs/best-text-expander-extensions-chrome-edge-brave).

## Can you change Chrome's built-in shortcuts without an extension?

Mostly no. Chrome only lets you remap extension shortcuts, at `chrome://extensions/shortcuts`, where each can work "In Chrome" or globally.

- **Brave:** edits its own shortcuts under Settings, System, Shortcuts.
- **Edge:** uses `edge://extensions/shortcuts`.
- **Defaults to learn first:** `Ctrl + L` address bar, `Ctrl + 1` to `Ctrl + 8` tabs, `Ctrl + Shift + A` tab search, `F7` caret browsing. See [how to browse the web without a mouse](https://supercommands.com/blogs/how-to-browse-the-web-without-a-mouse).

## Which one should you pick?

- Pick **Vimium** first; within a day you will know if modal keys suit you.
- Pick **Vimium C or Surfingkeys** if you like modal keys and want more control.
- Pick **Shortkeys** if letter keys feel wrong and you repeat a handful of actions.
- Pick **SuperCommands** alongside either for hotkeys to specific pages and tab sets. See [SuperCommands vs Vimium](https://supercommands.com/blogs/supercommands-vs-vimium-keyboard-first-browser-commands) and [creating keyboard shortcuts for any website](https://supercommands.com/blogs/how-to-create-keyboard-shortcuts-for-any-website).

## FAQ

### What is the best keyboard shortcut extension for Chrome?

Vimium for general browsing: 600,000 users, a 4.8 rating and no configuration. Shortkeys is the most capable free option for custom bindings.

### Is cVim still available?

Not on the Chrome Web Store as of October 2026. Vimium C and Surfingkeys are the closest maintained replacements.

### How do I change an extension's keyboard shortcut in Chrome?

Open `chrome://extensions/shortcuts`, click the pencil next to the command and press the new keys. You can also make it work globally.

### Why don't Vimium keys work on the New Tab page?

Chrome blocks extensions on its own pages, including New Tab and the Web Store. Open new tabs with Vimium's `t` key or its companion New Tab extension.