FastTypings vs TypingMaster — Free Online Typing Test (2026)

TypingMaster is one of the longest-standing names in typing software — a Windows desktop application that has been teaching touch typing since the late 1990s. FastTypings is its modern web-native counterpart: nothing to download, works on every device and operating system, and built around the features that produce the fastest WPM improvement in 2026. This comparison covers every meaningful difference between the two.

Feature comparison table

No download required: the biggest practical difference

TypingMaster is a Windows desktop application. To use it you must download an installer, run it with sufficient permissions, and keep it updated manually. This creates a meaningful barrier: you cannot use it on a work computer with locked-down software policies, a school computer, a Mac, a Linux machine, a Chromebook, or any mobile device.

FastTypings requires nothing except a browser. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge — any modern browser on any operating system. Open a tab, start typing. This is not a minor convenience difference; for the majority of people who own a Mac, use a managed work PC, or want to practice on a phone, TypingMaster is simply unavailable while FastTypings works immediately.

Cross-platform: Mac, Linux, and mobile

TypingMaster is Windows-only. Mac users cannot install it. Linux users cannot install it. ChromeOS users cannot install it. Anyone on iOS or Android cannot install it. FastTypings works on all of these platforms because it lives in the browser. If you have switched from Windows to macOS in recent years — as tens of millions of professionals have — TypingMaster is no longer an option for you at all, regardless of its quality.

Race mode

FastTypings has a live bot race mode. You set the opponent's speed — say, 70 WPM if your current best is 65 — and race it across a progress bar while typing a passage. The visual competition creates a focused, high-intensity state that produces much larger WPM gains than timed solo typing. TypingMaster does not have a race mode; its course consists of exercises, lessons, and games, but there is no live opponent to beat in real time.

Free vs freemium

TypingMaster's free version is limited. The full feature set requires purchasing TypingMaster Pro, which includes additional courses, detailed analytics, and no promotional prompts. FastTypings is entirely free — there is no Pro tier, no premium feature locked behind a paywall, and no upsell prompt. Race mode, leaderboard, daily challenge, sound feedback, and mobile support are all free for every user, always.

Real-time WPM feedback

FastTypings displays your WPM updating live as you type. You can see your speed climb when you find a rhythm and drop when you hit a difficult word. This real-time signal teaches you to recognise the feeling of peak-speed typing and to push through difficult words rather than slowing down and losing your pace. TypingMaster typically shows results after each exercise is complete rather than during it.

Sound feedback

Both platforms have sound in some capacity. TypingMaster includes audio cues as part of its lesson activities. FastTypings plays a mechanical keyboard click for every correct keystroke and a distinct error sound for mistakes — this per-keystroke audio feedback is present throughout every test and race, not just during specific exercises. The result is a continuous feedback loop that reinforces accuracy on every single key press.

Global leaderboard

FastTypings maintains a global online leaderboard of WPM records. You can see where your speed ranks among all users worldwide and track your climb over time with a free optional account. TypingMaster's progress tracking is local — your results are stored on your own PC and there is no global community ranking to measure yourself against.

When TypingMaster is the right choice

TypingMaster Pro is a legitimate choice if you are a Windows user who specifically wants a structured offline course with detailed analytics — and you are comfortable paying for it. Its lesson content is thorough and well-designed, particularly for corporate typing training programmes. If your organisation wants to run typing training on machines without internet access, TypingMaster's offline-first design is genuinely useful.

For everyone else — Mac users, Linux users, mobile users, students on school computers, or anyone who wants free access right now — FastTypings is the more accessible and equally effective option.

Verdict

TypingMaster is a well-built Windows application from a different era of software distribution. FastTypings is the modern replacement: no download, no platform restriction, fully free, with race mode, real-time WPM, sound feedback, mobile support, and a global leaderboard. Start typing right now — no installation required.

Frequently asked questions