What KeyboradingOnline.com does

KeyboardingOnline.com is a US-based, family-owned software company operating since 1976 (legal entity: Ellsworth Publishing Company, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona) that develops HTML5 web-based keyboarding and data entry instruction software for K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and individual learners. The product suite comprises seven core programs — Keyboarding for Kids, Keyboard Mastery (560+ timed drills), Keyboard Short Course (~25-hour curriculum), Skillbuilding Mastery, Ten Key Mastery (numeric keypad), Nuts and Bolts of Formatting, and Introduction to Microsoft Applications — plus supplementary physical merchandise (poster packets) and a 16-digit digital access code delivery mechanism. The platform runs in any modern browser without plugins and works across Chromebooks, iPads, tablets, PCs, Macs, and Linux.

The technology stack is fully in-house and includes a patented Hunting & Pecking prevention system (US patent granted 2018) featuring a Blackout Timing View, a Teacher Manager with real-time student monitoring and reporting, customizable lessons and grading profiles, lesson scheduling, and accessibility features such as screen reader compatibility and adjustable fonts. The platform integrates via one-click class roster sync with Google Classroom, Canvas, Clever, Clever Secure Sync, ClassLink, Office 365, Blackboard, and OneRoster/Skyward SIS, with district-level provisioning added in 2020.

The business model is hybrid: direct sales-led institutional licensing to K-12 and higher education (Net 30 purchase orders from public schools, custom pricing), a D2C retail storefront (retail.keyboardingonline.com) selling $69 individual access codes and $69.99 textbook bundles, and a 20%-discount college bookstore distribution channel. A free 60-day educator trial and content marketing via the company blog drive top-of-funnel demand. The company is bootstrapped with 1-10 employees and has remained under founder/family ownership since inception.

Name

KeyboradingOnline.com

Legal name

Ellsworth Publishing Company

Website

https://keyboardingonline.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

KeyboardingOnline.com is a US-based, family-owned software company founded in 1976 that develops HTML5 web-based keyboarding and data entry software for K-12 schools, colleges, and individual learners, featuring patented Hunting & Pecking prevention and integrations with major LMS and SIS platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132), Computer Training (61142)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Literacy Foundations (Phonics, Reading Fluency, Comprehension) Platforms (EDAFAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Foundational Computer & Device Literacy (EDAAAIAA)

Keywords

• Keyboarding software
• Typing instruction
• Touch typing
• Educational technology
• Data entry training

Headquarters

HQ city

Chandler

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Student Access Codes: Digital access codes ($69.00) that activate one software title. Each code is unique and valid for single use on a single file, class, or section. Valid for 12 months from activation or 3 years from purchase if unused.
2. Physical Textbook with Access Code: Keyboard Short Course textbook ($69.99) with physical access code enclosed in the back. Physical access codes can only be used by students registered with licensed educational institutions.
3. Poster Packets: Physical merchandise including keyboard wall charts and educational posters ($4.99). Weight-based shipping applies.
4. School/Institution Site Licenses: School pricing for institutional site licenses. Purchase orders accepted from public education institutions with standard Net 30 credit terms. Private schools may receive prepaid status or be asked for credit references.
5. College Bookstore Distribution: College bookstores receive 20% discount from retail price of access codes. Access codes can be ordered and delivered digitally.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

KeyboardingOnline.com (legally Ellsworth Publishing Company) develops and sells web-based keyboarding and data entry software for K-12 schools, colleges, and individual learners. The company offers a suite of HTML5-based programs including Keyboarding for Kids, Keyboard Mastery, Keyboard Short Course, Skillbuilding Mastery, Ten Key Mastery, Nuts and Bolts of Formatting, and Introduction to Microsoft Applications, delivered through 16-digit access codes, institutional site licenses, and physical textbooks.

Product overview

Keyboarding Online is a web-based keyboarding and data entry software suite developed and supported entirely in-house by a U.S.-based team in Chandler, AZ. The product portfolio is organized as a platform of seven distinct programs — Keyboarding for Kids, Keyboard Mastery, Keyboard Short Course, Skillbuilding Mastery, Ten Key Mastery, Nuts and Bolts of Formatting, and Introduction to Microsoft Applications — plus a supplementary Poster Packet and a 16-digit Access Code delivery mechanism. All programs are HTML5-based, run in a modern web browser with no plugins required, and are compatible across devices including iPads, Chromebooks, tablets, PCs, Macs, and Linux. The platform features patented Hunting & Pecking prevention technology, customizable lessons and grading profiles, real-time student monitoring and reporting, lesson scheduling, and integration with major learning management and roster management systems. Pricing includes school/institutional site licensing and individual retail access codes at $69.00 each.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Keyboarding for Kids: Software program geared specifically for younger learners (K-12).
• Keyboard Mastery
• Keyboard Short Course
• Skillbuilding Mastery
• Ten Key Mastery
• Introduction to Microsoft Applications
• Nuts and Bolts of Formatting

Products and services

• Keyboarding for Kids A keyboarding program specifically designed for young and elementary-age students, featuring engaging activities, gamified lessons, animated hand tutorials, and rewards such as badges and praise from animated characters to motivate early learners.
• Keyboard Mastery A comprehensive keyboarding program for middle school, junior high, high school, and adult learners containing over 560 timed drills covering alphabetic keys, punctuation, and numbers.
• Keyboard Short Course A condensed keyboarding course teaching beginners to type by touch and experienced typists to type faster and more accurately. Course duration approximately 25 hours, covering alphabetic and punctuation keys with 126 timed exercises. Designed for middle school through adult learners with targets of 30-35+ wpm.
• Skillbuilding Mastery A keyboarding skill-building program for students seeking to improve typing speed and accuracy through structured practice and exercises.
• Ten Key Mastery A numeric keypad and data entry training program. Includes adjustable font and highlighter colors for accessibility and measures Keystrokes Per Hour (KSPH).
• Nuts and Bolts of Formatting A formatting-focused program teaching document formatting skills as part of the keyboarding curriculum, covering the mechanics and standards of professional document formatting.
• Introduction to Microsoft Applications A supplementary program introducing students to Microsoft Office applications, providing foundational skills in commonly used business productivity software.
• Keyboarding Online Access Code A 16-digit digital access code that activates one software title for a single student. Valid for 12 months from first use or until deleted by the instructor, expiring 3 years from purchase date if unused.
• Keyboard Short Course Textbook A physical textbook ($69.99) for the Keyboard Short Course with a physical access code enclosed in the back. Ships with $10 flat rate shipping.
• Poster Packet A physical poster packet containing four large educational posters: a Keyboard Wall Chart, a No T-Rex Typing poster, a No Pecking poster, and an S.E.C.R.E.T. to successful typing skills poster. Sold at $4.99.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students can reach 30-35+ wpm after Keyboard Short Course completion
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Google ClassroomcoreTechnology or IntegrationClass roster synchronization allowing teachers to automatically create class lists in Keyboarding Online from Google Classroom. Integration performed at teacher level through Teacher Manager.
• CanvascoreTechnology or IntegrationLMS integration for class roster synchronization. Teachers can create class lists with a click through Canvas integration.
• Clever ClassroomcoreTechnology or IntegrationClever Secure Sync integration for class roster creation. Supported since 2018 with additional secure sync features added.
• Office 365coreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Microsoft Office 365 for class roster synchronization.
• ClassLinkcoreTechnology or IntegrationSingle sign-on and roster sync platform for district-level implementation.
• OneRostercoreTechnology or IntegrationStandard for importing class rosters from Student Information Systems. Skyward SIS OneRoster support enhanced with new District Manager features.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing: Mavis Beacon is a long-established consumer and education typing software brand (originally Broderbund), making it a direct peer in the keyboarding instruction category, particularly for individual learners and consumer purchases.
• Nitro Type: Nitro Type is a gamified competitive typing platform with a dedicated 'Nitro Type School' offering that competes directly with Keyboarding Online in the K-12 segment, particularly for student engagement and gamified practice.
• UltraKey: UltraKey is a K-12-focused typing instruction program with classroom management and assessment features, directly comparable to Keyboarding Online's teacher dashboard and student monitoring capabilities.
• TypingClub: TypingClub (by EdClub) is a free, school-focused keyboarding curriculum that is one of the most commonly procured alternatives to Keyboarding Online in K-12 districts, with overlapping teacher dashboard and progress-tracking features.
• Typing.com: Typing.com is the most prominent direct competitor: a web-based typing instruction platform widely adopted in K-12 schools, offering a free tier that competes head-on with Keyboarding Online's $69 access codes and school site licenses.
• KAZ Typing: KAZ Typing is a touch-typing software aimed at both individual learners and educational institutions, with structured lessons and progress tracking comparable to Keyboarding Online's curriculum.
• TypingMaster: TypingMaster offers typing software for individuals, schools, and businesses with detailed analytics, positioning it as a close peer in the keyboarding training market and overlapping with Keyboarding Online's teacher reporting and skill-building product lines.
• Ratatype: Ratatype is an online typing tutor and certification platform serving individual and institutional users, with overlapping value proposition (touch typing courses, certificates, progress tracking) to Keyboarding Online's Keyboard Mastery and Keyboard Short Course.
• Typing Pal: Typing Pal is a web-based keyboarding solution sold primarily to schools (with strong presence in Canada and Europe), offering a comparable school-purchasing model, teacher management, and adaptive lessons to Keyboarding Online.

Broad incumbents

• Learning.com: Learning.com is a broader K-12 digital literacy platform that includes keyboarding as part of a wider technology skills curriculum; it competes indirectly with Keyboarding Online in district-level digital literacy procurement decisions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/keyboard_online

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KeyboradingOnline.com