Supported hardware

This page lists the machines known to work with Plover. The main 4 choices are:

1. Dedicated hobbyist machine designed for use with Plover
2. A stenotype machine
3. A standard computer keyboard
4. A video game controller

Dedicated machines designed for use with Plover

Various steno enthusiasts are making and selling machines designed for use with Plover.

Commercially Available Hobbyist Machines

Machines that are or will be available for purchase. As of right now, there are no hobbyist lever machines. Instead, most options opt for keyboard switches, such as Cherry-style (Gateron Clear@35g), Kailh Choc (gChoc at 20g), or Matias (Red at 40g).

Product Name	Manufacturer	About	Price (USD)
Ecosteno International site	Nolltronics	A machine whose mission is to be the best value option on the market. It has low-profile Kailh Choc switches with 20g actuation force. It features USB-C connectivity and an aluminum backplate with a solid tripod mount. Stock status (as of April 2024): Out of stock	$95
Multisteno International site	Nolltronics	The premium version of the Ecosteno, the Multisteno features 42 Kailh Choc (Pro Pink) switches with 20g actuation force, USB-C connectivity, an aluminum backplate, and a solid tripod mount. Stock status (as of April 2024): In stock	$170
Polyglot	StenoKeyboards	A steno keyboard made for both Steno and Qwerty. More switches enable normal typing in qwerty mode. You can also do things like shift+click in steno mode. Stock status (as of April 2024): In stock	$125
SOFT/HRUF Splitography	Scott Urueta	Open source hardware. Its keycaps are injection molded and fit on Matias keyboard switches. The name is the steno representation for, and is pronounced as, “soft love”. The SOFT/HRUF uses Matias Red switches (~40g actuation). With third-party springs and removing the switch’s internal leaflet, it is possible to reduce the force required to actuate. Stock status (as of January 2024): Out of stock (source)	$138
Starboard	Stenography Store	An ergonomic steno keyboard with choc pink keyswitches and can be screwed onto a tripod. Stock status (as of January 2024): In stock	$90 (+ $10 shipping)
TinyMod	Charley Shattuck	Open source hardware. A smaller, nonsplit version of the Stenomod that omits the number bar in order to reduce costs and size. The center vowel key is used as a number bar replacement. See Mirabai’s review. Stock status (as of January 2024): In stock	$140 (stock) $180 (silent)
The Uni	StenoKeyboards	A split, unibody steno keyboard that comes pre-assembled with Gateron Clears (35g). Embedded steno compatible. Stock status (as of April 2024): Out of stock	$100

DIY Machines

Projects to build your own machine.

Product Name	About
MechWild BB Steno	A barebones keyboard kit from MechWild. Comes with a PCB ($10) and optional microcontroller (+$8) and a few other parts; you supply the switches and keycaps.
Picosteno	A full Steno kit from Nolltronics. Starting at $20 for the PCBs and mounting hardware and going up to $61 for everything you need, this is the cheapest board you can make!
Stenokey	Stenokey is an open-source do-it-yourself stenographic keyboard project. It is aimed at makers with some electronics experience (soldering) and who own a 3D printer or who have a friend with a 3D printer.
The Uni v2 PCB	The Uni v2 PCB, instructions in the description. Some prior experience is recommended. Only comes with a PCB and has pre-soldered diodes.
Yet Another Steno Keyboard	YASK is an easy-to-build open-source design for a steno keyboard. Simple, no 3D printing needed, also exists in angled & staggered version. Check out the build instructions

Setting Up a Hobbyist Machine

Hobbyist machines use serial protocols to talk to Plover. This means you can have a regular keyboard plugged in for normal typing, and a steno machine plugged in for use with Plover without having to enable or disable the output. However, the main steno protocols can be a little finicky to set up. Follow one of the two methods below.

Main method

This method involves determining the serial port for Plover to listen to.

1. Plover, open Configure → Machine and change the machine to Gemini PR.
2. With your machine unplugged, press the Scan or Refresh button.
   • Take note of the options that are listed in the Port drop down menu.

     

     Steps 1 and 2.

3. Plug in your machine.
4. Press the Scan or Refresh button.
5. Open the Port drop down menu.
   • If you see your device name show up, select it.
   • If you only see generic names, select the option that was not present in step 2.

     

     COM3 wasn't present earlier, so it is the steno machine that was just plugged in.

6. Press OK and Apply
7. Test that your machine is working
   • Open the paper tape (Tools → Paper tape)
   • Press some keys on your machine
   • Verify that they show up in the paper tape

Trial and error method

Alternatively, after pressing the Scan or Refresh button with your machine plugged in, you can simply try each option in the Port drop down menu. This is useful if there are only a few options to try.

1. In Plover, open Configure → Machine and change the machine to Gemini PR.
2. Plug in your machine.
3. Press the Scan or Refresh button.
4. Select the first option in the Port drop down menu.
5. Press OK and Apply.
6. Open the paper tape and press some keys on your machine.
   • If you see output in the paper tape, you are done.
   • If nothing shows up, repeat steps 4 and 5, but with a different option selected in the Port drop down menu.

Serial protocol limitations

If you sleep and wake up your computer, or you unplug and replug your machine, you can try pressing the Reconnect Machine button.

Reconnect machine button.

If that does not work, it is likely that the serial port has changed and you will have to redo the above steps again.

Out-of-production Machines

Models that are no longer made or available for sale.

Product Name	Manufacturer	About	Years
Stenoboard	Utopen (Emanuele Caruso)	The Stenoboard was the first open source steno machine on the market, released in 2014 for around $180USD. The Stenoboard’s keys actuate like mouse-clicks instead of a keyboard or lever-machine, which made it very uncomfortable to use.	2014-2017
SOFT/HRUF	Scott Urueta	The nonsplit version of SOFT/HRUF.	2017-2018, superseded by the Splitography
Stenomod	Charley Shattuck	Open source hardware. This has light (35g actuation) keys and a split design. See Ted Morin’s review of the Stenomod as well as Martin Körner’s review. The name is supposed to hint at how the machine is “modular” and adaptable.	2017-2018, superseded by the TinyMod
Georgi	g Heavy Industries	Portable, affordable, and light-touch option. Low-profile Kailh Choc switches with 12g-actuation springs swapped in makes this the lightest-touch and lowest-height machine made for Plover so far. The removal of a number bar reduces costs and weight for portability. A third thumb key is to be used as a number bar replacement like the TinyMod. See Martin’s Georgi Stand with Trackball review, Mirabai’s review, Aerick’s Georgi Mount, and Josh’s photos.	2019-2021
Steko	Quanic Boards	A simple, small steno keyboard featuring a RP2040 chip, a USB-C interface, Durock Dolphin silent switches, and 3D Printed PLA keycaps.	2022-2023

Stenotype Machines

Supported protocols

Plover supports several protocols that are in use by various machines:

• Stentura serial: most machines by Stenograph and many others.
• Gemini PR serial: typically any recent machine made by the Neutrino Group, such as the Piper, Revolution, or Infinity series.
• ProCAT: protocol used by all ProCAT machines.
• TX Bolt: an older protocol supported by some machines as a primary or secondary protocol.
• Treal: used only by the Treal from Word Technologies.
• Passport: used only by the Passport Writer from Advantage Software.

This means that, in theory, many machines work with Plover.

Known supported stenotypes

The following machines have been confirmed by users to work with Plover after actually trying it:

Product Name	Manufacturer	Protocol/Connection	Comments
Elan Cybra Student	Stenograph	Stenograph USB OR TX Bolt (serial)
Flash, Blaze, Impression, and Xpression	ProCAT	ProCAT (serial, maybe)	(For Blaze and other Windows CE-based writers) USB cannot be used with Plover, it is only to transfer files created on the Blaze to your PC or CAT software. USB does not work on Windows 10, only Windows XP (with ActiveSync), and Windows Vista/7/8 with WMDC.exe (Windows Mobile Device Center). Both are abandonware. You need an RJ11 (male) to DB9 (female) to use this writer.
Flash Writer	ProCAT	TX Bolt	Press Mode (far right button), click Setup, then press the Emul button. Display should read Emulate: Baron
Gemini2	Neutrino Group	Gemini PR (serial)
Gemini RT	Neutrino Group	TX Bolt	Must start a job on screen or in Infinity2
Lightspeed	Stenovations	TX Bolt (serial over USB/Bluetooth)	Baud rate 9600
Lightspeed Touch	Stenovations	Gemini PR, TX Bolt (USB only)	Must use provided “Lightspeed Zenith” software, not the “Lightspeed” software from the Stenovations website. Protocol can be changed depending on the “Writer Mode” setting in options. Choose “Model II and Model III” at startup.
Infinity Ergonomic	Neutrino Group	Gemini PR (serial over USB/Bluetooth)	Baud rate 115200
Infinity Genesis	Neutrino Group	Gemini PR (serial)
Passport	Advantage Software	Passport (USB)
Passport Touch	Advantage Software	USB, Bluetooth	While in “Emulation Mode”: Stentura over Bluetooth or TX Bolt over USB 
Revolution Grand	Neutrino Group	Gemini PR (serial)
Stentura 400 SRT	Stenograph	Stentura (serial)	Setup Instructions
Stentura 200 SRT	Stenograph	Stentura (serial)	(same instructions as the 400 SRT)
Stentura 500	Stenograph	Stentura (serial)	(same instructions as the 400 SRT)
Stentura 8000 and 8000LX	Stenograph	Stentura (serial)	(same instructions as the 400 SRT)
Stentura Protégé	Stenograph	Stentura (serial) OR Stenograph USB	Works with the plover-stenograph plugin for USB. For Stentura serial: connect Serial-to-USB cable to serial port of Protégé. Setup Instructions for Serial
Tréal	Word technologies	Treal (USB)
Wave	Stenograph	Stentura (serial) OR Stenograph USB	Requires Stenograph drivers to do serial on Windows. All platforms can use the plover-stenograph plugin. Make sure “serial protocol” on the Wave is set to “Stentura”.
Luminex II	Stenograph	Stenograph USB OR Stenograph Wi-Fi	All platforms can use the plover-stenograph plugin for USB or Wi-Fi. Make sure the machine is connected to the same local network to use Wi-Fi.

Keyboards

If you don’t have a steno machine, you can use a keyboard that supports N-Key Rollover (NKRO).

What’s NKRO?

NKRO stands for N-Key Rollover. This is a feature of some keyboards whereby you can press as many keys as you want simultaneously, and they will all register. Typical keyboards stop working correctly when you press somewhere between 4 and 7 keys at once. For more information, see the Wikipedia entry about NKRO.

How do I know if my keyboard has NKRO

In general, most keyboards will not be NKRO. “Gaming” and mechanical keyboards are most likely to have NKRO, while budget as well as laptop keyboards are unlikely to have NKRO.

The easiest way to test for NKRO is to visit https://keyboardchecker.com/ and press several keys all at once to see if they register. If your keyboard has NKRO, you will be able to press multiple keys with your palm and they will all light up as green on the website. If your keyboard does not have NKRO, several keys will not light up on the website.

What if my keyboard is not capable of NKRO?

If you don’t have a keyboard that’s capable of NKRO, but still want to give Plover a try, you can arpeggiate/roll the keyboard chords. Have a look at the Beginner’s Guide for more information.

Known supported keyboards

You can search for NKRO keyboards compatible with Plover by including “NKRO” or “anti-ghosting” in your search query. Make sure to check reviews before purchasing as some have been known to falsely advertise NKRO (although, this is a rare occurrence).

The following machines have been confirmed by users to work with Plover after actually trying it:

Product Name	Manufacturer	Comments	Price
Anne Pro II	Obinslabs	NKRO over USB; 6KRO over bluetooth; Works on Mac	$20-100
Aukey KM-G9	Aukey	NKRO over USB; May not work on Mac	$35-50
I-500 Victop (compact: 87 keys)	Eastern times tech	NKRO over USB	27 GBP
DareU DK87 (red switch)	DareU	NKRO over USB (Tested on Linux), however some keys may be stuck after released. Discontinued model. There is a similar model, they may have the glitch mentioned above or not.	< $30
TOMOKO (87 key Mechanical Keyboard)	TOMOKO	NKRO over USB (Works on Mac)	$30
K552	Redragon	NKRO over USB	$35
X51 (Gaming Mechanical Keyboard 87/104)	Metoo	NKRO over USB	$40
ZM-K600S	Zalman	NKRO over USB	$40
K582	Redragon	NKRO over USB (Works on Mac. NB: Hitting Fn+WIN removes NKRO)	$50
K66	Corsair	NKRO over USB	$55
K63	Corsair	NKRO over USB (Works on Mac!)	$80
K68	Corsair	NKRO over USB	$160-200
K95	Corsair	NKRO over USB	~$200
KG901	Marvo	NKRO over USB	$30-70 AUD
STRAFE	Corsair	NKRO over USB	$80
CM Storm Quickfire TK	Cooler Master	NKRO over USB (Doesn’t work on Mac)	$85
Vengeance K65	Corsair	NKRO over USB	$90
C413 Carbon	Logitech	26KRO	$90
Francium Pro	Deck	NKRO over USB when in “lightning” mode (Fn + F10). Full NKRO works on Windows and Linux, but is rumored NOT to work on Macs (you’d be stuck with 6KRO).	$94
Noppoo Choc	Noppoo	NKRO over USB (works on Mac without adapters)	$95
Razer BlackWidow V3 Tenkeyless	Razer	14KRO over USB when in “gaming” mode (Fn + F10). Older BlackWidow Tournament Edition 2014 tested.	$100
Apex M750 TKL	SteelSeries	NKRO over USB (Works on Mac, but for some reason if you install the SteelSeries Engine it stops working)	$120
G710+	Logitech	NKRO over USB	$130
Majestouch-2	Filco	NKRO over USB	$167
Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate	Das Keyboard	NKRO over USB requires key sequence to enable. See fine print on underside of keyboard	$169
Apex M800	SteelSeries	NKRO over USB	$199
Ergo Pro	Matias	NKRO over USB	$200
Ultimate Hacking Keyboard	Ultimate Gadget Labs	NKRO over USB	$250
Ergodox	Ergodox	NKRO over USB	Parts €160.00 - Assembled €247.00
Ergodox EZ (swappable switches)	ZSA Technology Labs, Inc.	NKRO over USB	EZ Only $270 - All Upgrades $354+
Planck EZ (swappable switches)	ZSA Technology Labs, Inc.	NKRO over USB	Planck only $180 - W/LED Backlighting $195
Model01	Keyboard.io	NKRO over USB	$329
Vortex Race 3	Vortex Keyboard	NKRO over USB (Only 6KRO on Mac. Untested on Linux)	$139

Which type of key switch should I choose?

Due to how multiple keys must be pressed simultaneously, there are two properties that are useful to have in a mechanical keyboard switch for steno: a light actuation force on a linear switch.

The light actuation makes it easier on your hands. For a chord like TKPWHRAOEUGD (gliding), you are hitting 8 keys with your left hand. That means that whatever switch force you need to depress one key, you have to push 8-times as much. For a 80cN (~80 grams, ~2.9 oz) switch, that’s 640cN (~640g, ~22.6 oz). For this reason, your wrists will have a much easier time working with your machine if its actuation force is as light as possible.

How many keys are in the average chord?
1: 23 2: 221 3: 1115 4: 3247 5: 6168 6: 7820 7: 7293 8: 5069 9: 2707 10: 1126 11: 331 12: 90 13: 21 14: 3 15: 1

The linearity is recommended because it’s been found that the tactile feedback that one gets from an individual switch is not as useful when you are receiving 4-10 of those feedbacks at once. The brain just doesn’t process all the fingers’ feedback in a useful manner. And since the bump usually requires a small addition to the actuation force, we recommend keeping it linear and simple.

Professional steno machines, historically, always bottomed out (meaning the keys are pressed until they can no longer travel; the bottom.) Newer machines use more complicated mechanisms for detecting key travel, often using magnets and the hall effect to determine where the key is, allowing for customizable actuation points. The typical force required for a modern steno machine is between 10cN and 20cN, with some extremes on either end for personal preference. The travel of a typical lever steno machine is usually between 2mm and 30mm. The lower end is found in machines like the LightSpeed (nonlever), where the higher end is around the maximum that you can configure a lever machine to stroke.

Most of the mechanical switches have a 2mm actuation point and 4mm travel/bottoming out, but some community members have found that “speed switches” with an earlier actuation point (usually 1.1-1.4mm) are better for steno due to their increased sensitivity.

Switch	Stat	Note	Machines
Kailh Choc Pink Pro	20 cN linear	The lightest stock option available, though the reduced travel distance makes it feel comparatively heavier	All Nolltronics boards and the Starboard use this switch
Kailh Choc Nocturnal	20 cN linear, silent
Gateron Clear / White	35 cN linear	A popular stock option available on the market	All StenoKeyboards boards and the TinyMod use this switch
Matias Red	35 cN linear	Feels heavier than 35 cN switches due to having a “flat” force curve. Matias also has a different stem from Cherry	SOFT/HRUF uses this switch
Cherry MX Red	45 cN linear
Kailh Silver	50 cN spring* linear	Has an early actuation (1.1mm vs 2mm)
Cherry MX Brown	45 cN bumpy	While not ideal compared to other options, this switch is still a better choice than blues, blacks, and other Cherry switches
Kailh Choc Red	50 cN spring* linear		The Georgi uses this switch

• The Kailh silvers and Choc reds use a spring that would cause a 50 cN actuation point at 2mm, but since they actuate earlier (1.1mm), the force required is nearer to 35 cN.

There are other methods to decrease actuation force for even these switches. This includes:

• Putting SPRiT 15g Choc springs into the Kailh Choc Pink Pro
• Putting the Gateron Clear’s 35 cN spring into the Kailh Silver for its earlier actuation point.
• Trimming the springs of a linear switch by several mm to reduce force.
• Using an aftermarket spring with lower forces, such as a prototype 20 cN spring that isn’t yet released to the wider market.
• Removing the leaf-spring (not the primary spring) in the Matias Red switch to make the force curve less flat.

Adapt a keyboard for steno use

Most keyboards have the keys in staggered rows, which can make it difficult to press two keys in a column with a single finger. To adapt a keyboard for steno use, you can use:

• Keytoppers
• Keycaps

You can also use a keyboard with an ortholinear layout.

Keytoppers

Laser-cut keytoppers are in the shape of the keys on a steno machine. You stick them on top of the relevant keys on the keyboard. You can buy laser-cut keytoppers from the Plover Store. You can also make your own keytoppers out of plastic or even coins.

Keycaps

If you have a mechanical keyboard, it is likely your keys have a Cherry MX stem and will work with custom keycaps. You can replace the existing keycaps on your keyboard with different keycaps, to improve the layout for stenoing.

• StenoToppers is a 3D printed keycap set designed by Jason Cemra. It aligns the rows, raises the keys, and reduces the keycap tapering, slant and gap. The 3d model (.stl) files are available on Github. If you have access to a 3D printer, you can download .stl files and print them for a negligible cost. Otherwise, you would need to use a 3D printing service.

  

• The G20 keycap set from Signature Plastics is a great set for steno, and will fit on an ErgoDox or other mechanical keyboard. The keys have a direction, so for optimal comfort, you should angle the top row of steno (STPH...) down, so that they are close to the bottom row (SKWR...)

• You can 3D-print a steno-friendly keycap.

Keys that have little space between them are good for steno, because then you can hit two neighboring keys with one finger (which is frequently necessary).

NKRO keyboards with an ortholinear layout

Keyboards with an “ortholinear” layout have the keys in straight columns. This is handy for steno, as it makes it easier to press two keys in a column with a single finger.

The following machines have been confirmed by users to work with Plover after actually trying it:

Product Name	Manufacturer	Protocol/Connection	Comments
ErgoDox	ErgodoxEZ, Massdrop, FalbaTech, others	USB	The ErgoDox is a fairly high-end NKRO keyboard at $200, with an ortholinear layout. It has two separate halves, so you can angle them to suit you. You can order it with the Gateron White keys, which have an extremely light, 35 gram activation force. Read a guide to Starting Stenography with an Ergodox by Paul Fioravanti.
Planck	OLKB	USB	The Planck is a fully programmable NKRO keyboard with an ortholinear layout. It is 40% the size of a standard keyboard. Read a guide to starting stenography with a Planck by DiDoesDigital.
Preonic	OLKB	USB	The Preonic is a fully programmable NKRO keyboard with an ortholinear layout. It is 50% the size of a standard keyboard.
Gherkin		USB	The Gherkin is a fully programmable NKRO keyboard with an ortholinear layout. It is 30% the size of a standard keyboard.
Iris	Keebio	USB	The Iris is a cheaper and slightly smaller alternative to the ErgoDox. It is a fully programmable split NKRO keyboard with 56 keys. The firmware needs to be edited to enable either NKRO or Gemini PR. Available in PCB and pre-built.

Laptops with NKRO

If you want to always have steno on the go, you might consider finding a notebook with NKRO. Note that not all these machines are equivalent in terms of actuation force or key shape. You might find, for example, that chiclet keys don’t feel as good as the Alienware’s classic keyboard style. It’s always best to try laptop keyboards at a local store, if possible.

Model	Screen Size	Manufacturer	Rollover	Price (USD)	Weight
Alienware R3/R4	13”, 15”, 17”	Dell	n-key	$1000 to $3000	5.8 to 9.8 lbs
GL553	15”	Asus	30-key	$1200	5.5 lbs
Razer Blade Stealth 8th Gen	13”	Razer	14-key	$1200+	2.98 lbs
Zephyrus GM501	15”	Asus	30-key	$1500 to $2200	5.5lbs
Omen X	17”	HP	n-key*	$1800	10.7 lbs
P57X	17”	Gigabyte	30-key	$1800	6.6 + 2.2 (power adaptor) lbs
GL502	15”	Asus	30-key	$1900	4.9 lbs
Aero 15/15x	15”	Gigabyte	80-key*	$2000 to $2900	4.6 lbs
Legion Y920	17”	Lenovo	100-key*	$2200	10.1 lbs
Zephyrus GX501	15”	Asus	30-key	$2500	4.85lbs
Aorus X5 v8 and X7 v8	15”, 17”	Aorus	80-key*	$2600, $3000	5.51 lbs, 7.05 lbs
Predator Triton 700	15”	Acer	n-key (clicky keys)	$3000	5.3 lbs

*: Untested for use with Plover

Laptops that don’t actually work with Plover

After testing some of the laptops on the list above, they were found to not live up to their claims.

Model	Manufacturer	Claimed Rollover	Findings
HP Omen 15 and 17	HP	“26-key rollover anti-ghosting”	Combination “YUHJ” on Qwerty only produces 3 letters
GF62 and GP72	MSI	“anti-ghosting for up to 45 keys”	99% of chords were OK, certain combinations wouldn’t work – e.g. QWEAS blocked R. Keyboard also responded abnormally slow when writing chords.

Video Game Controller

It is possible to use a video game controller with Plover by installing the Plover Controller plugin. Please use the built-in Plover plugins manager to install this plugin. This is one of the cheapest options to get you started! If you don't have a USB or bluetooth controller lying around, you can find a used one very cheap, and you can even buy new ones for a great price.

Note: as per the project's README, there may be issues using it with macOS.

Troubleshooting

Most issues can be resolved by following the mapping instructions for the Plover Controller plugin.

Usage

The diagram below shows where all of the corresponding keys are located. This layout closely resembles the standard Ward Stone Ireland stenography layout, so it can be used with a standard theory, like Plover theory or Lapwing theory.

Skipping Joystick Keys with the Reverse Steno Order Method

The diagram also shows how stick movements that move in the opposite direction of steno order will skip the keys in-between. For example, to to write a word starting with "th", such as the word, "this," you would want to select T- and H- without the P- in-between. Moving the left stick clockwise from T- to H- would output TPH-, which is not what we want. To get the output of TH-, you would move counter-clockwise from H- to T-. However, reverse steno order does not always mean counter-clockwise. Another example is the word WHA -> "what,". To output WH- , you would want to move clockwise from H- to W-

Skipping Joystick Keys with the Opposite Direction Overlap Method

There is also a method to skip keys by moving the stick opposite the initial direction over keys you want to exclude.

For example, the word KHRUB -> "club" can be written by moving the left joystick clockwise from H to K, and without releasing, move the stick back to W- to exclude W-. This will output KHR-, and with the addition of U and -B, you get "club".