Blog · September 22, 2026 · 6 min read
Mac Keyboard Cleaning Mode Compared: KeyboardCleanTool, CleanMode and VibeLock
There is still no "cleaning mode" switch in macOS System Settings — not in Sonoma, not in Sequoia, not in Tahoe. If you want to wipe your keyboard without typing gibberish into Slack, you need a third-party tool. The three you'll actually run into are KeyboardCleanTool, CleanMode and VibeLock — similar at first glance, built for different jobs.
Quick comparison
| Feature | KeyboardCleanTool | CleanMode | VibeLock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blocks keyboard | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Blocks trackpad & mouse | Optional | Yes | Yes |
| Hides your other apps | No | No | Yes (allowlist) |
| Unlock requires auth | No — on-screen button | No — key combo | Touch ID / password |
| Blocks Spotlight & Force Quit | No | Partially | Yes |
| Keeps display awake | While cleaning | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Free | Paid | $10 lifetime |
If you only ever clean: KeyboardCleanTool
It's free, it's from a trusted developer, and it does the cleaning job perfectly: hit the button, wipe your keys, hit it again. Its whole design assumes you are standing at the Mac. That's also its limit — the unlock is a button on screen, so it offers no protection the moment you step away.
If you want inputs dead, everything else untouched: CleanMode
CleanMode blocks more inputs (including the power key on some models) and looks slick doing it. But like every cleaning tool, it leaves your screen contents exposed and its unlock is a keystroke anyone can perform. It's cleaning software, not security software.
If cleaning is the smallest thing you lock for: VibeLock
VibeLock covers the cleaning use case as a side effect: lock, wipe your keyboard and trackpad as long as you like, unlock with Touch ID. But it's really built for the walk-away: it hides every app you haven't allowlisted, covers the desktop, blocks Spotlight/Force-Quit/⌘Q, and keeps chosen apps — usually your terminal — visible so a running build or Claude Code session stays watchable while the machine is sealed.
The honest recommendation
If you'll only ever wipe your keyboard while standing there, download KeyboardCleanTool and keep your $10. If "lock input, keep screen" is something you want for cleaning and unattended agents, videos, or demos — one tool that authenticates its unlock beats three single-purpose utilities. That's the gap VibeLock fills.