TypePlay vs Monkeytype: Which Typing Site Is Right for You?

Monkeytype is one of the most loved typing sites on the internet, and for good reason. It is fast, clean and free. TypePlay takes a different approach: it combines a Monkeytype-style practice room with structured lessons and games. Here is a fair look at both, so you can pick what suits you. Facts about Monkeytype are from its public documentation as of October 2026.

What Monkeytype does brilliantly

• Minimal, distraction-free typing tests: time (15, 30, 60, 120 seconds or custom), words, quotes, zen and custom text.
• Deep customisation: many themes, fonts, caret styles and "funbox" modifiers.
• Global daily, weekly and all-time leaderboards for registered users.
• Free and open source, with a large, active community.

Sources: Monkeytype's test modes and features documentation.

What TypePlay adds

Monkeytype assumes you can already type. If you are still learning, or teaching a child, you need more than a test. TypePlay's practice room offers the same core test experience (words, time, quotes, code, custom and zen, Backspace or no-Backspace modes, a pace caret, consistency and burst stats, a per-second chart) and then adds:

• 111 structured lessons with a finger guide, stars and speed goals.
• 20 typing games, including gentle games for young children.
• 24 typing tests with clear explanations, including job and data entry tests.
• Weak-spot training built from your own slowest keys.
• Accessibility presets for low vision, dyslexia and motor needs.
• A parent dashboard and no account needed.

Side by side

• Typing tests: both. Monkeytype has more visual options; TypePlay explains each test and adds job tests.
• Learning to type from zero: TypePlay (lessons with finger guidance). Monkeytype has no beginner course.
• Games: TypePlay (20 games). Monkeytype focuses on tests.
• Leaderboards: Monkeytype has global ones with an account; TypePlay keeps ranked boards on your device.
• Customisation: Monkeytype is deeper.
• Accounts: Monkeytype offers accounts and sync; TypePlay needs no account and stores progress in your browser.
• Kids and schools: TypePlay is designed for children too, with a parent dashboard.

Who should use which

Choose Monkeytype if you already touch type and want a beautiful, endlessly customisable speed test with a global community. Choose TypePlay if you want to learn properly, practise weak keys, test yourself for a job, play games, or help a child learn. Many people learn on TypePlay and race on both.