Ratatype vs TypingBattles

Ratatype is the one that gives you a certificate.

You know the type. You take a test. You get a PDF. You attach it to your resume. It says "this person types at 65 WPM" and it looks official enough that employers actually accept it.

TypingBattles doesn't care about certificates. It doesn't care about resumes. It just wants to know if you can type faster than the person on the other side of the screen.

I spent 30 days on each platform. Same keyboard. Same time of day. Same session length. I tracked my WPM, my accuracy, and my honest reaction to both.

Here's what I learned.

The Quick Comparison

Before we get into the details, here's the snapshot.

Ratatype is a credentialing platform. TypingBattles is a competition platform. They're solving different problems.

What Ratatype Does Better

Let me give credit where it's due. Ratatype has earned its place.

The Certificates Are Genuinely Useful

This is Ratatype's main selling point. According to the Wikipedia entry, the platform offers typing speed certificates in ten languages, with tests lasting one, two, or five minutes. The certificate is issued based on your result.

According to Ratatype's own blog, "Most employers, including government organisations, accept these certificates". That's a big deal. If you're applying for a data entry job, a transcription role, or any position that requires proof of typing speed, a Ratatype certificate is a legitimate credential.

There are three tiers. Platinum, Gold, and Silver. The higher your speed and accuracy, the better the certificate. You can take the test as many times as you like. And once you have that PDF, you can attach it to your CV and move on.

For job seekers, this is invaluable. No other free platform offers this level of credentialing.

The Structured Courses Are Solid

Ratatype isn't just a test platform. It has structured courses too. According to the site, "Each course consists of 20 lessons, with almost 25 exercises per lesson". That's a substantial curriculum. You start with home row basics and progress through every key on the keyboard.

The platform teaches touch typing on several keyboard layouts, including QWERTY, AZERTY, Dvorak, and QWERTZ. If you use an alternative layout, Ratatype supports you. Most platforms don't.

It's Built for Education

Ratatype has a classroom feature that lets teachers track students' progress. Teachers can manage student data, integrate with Google Classroom, and monitor performance. It's not as robust as TypingClub's teacher tools, but it's solid for a free platform.

The practice material has been described as lacking depth by some reviewers. But for a beginner learning the basics, it's more than enough.

The Keyboard Checker Is a Nice Touch

If a key is stuck or something isn't working on your keyboard, Ratatype's keyboard checker can help you detect defective keys. It's a small feature. But it's genuinely useful. Most typing platforms don't offer anything like it.

It's Free (With Caveats)

Ratatype's core lessons are free. The platform's revenue comes from advertising, and in 2024, it introduced paid features including the purchase of typing-speed certificates, the option to disable advertising, and unlimited access to lessons.

So it's not entirely free anymore. But the core experience — lessons and tests — is still accessible without paying. You just have to deal with ads and pay if you want a premium certificate or ad-free experience.

Where Ratatype Falls Short

Now here's the honest part.

There's No Pressure and No Competition

This is the big one. Ratatype is solo practice. You against the lesson. You against the timer. There's no opponent. No one trying to beat you.

That's fine for learning. But it doesn't prepare you for the pressure of real-world typing or competitive racing. You can get a Platinum certificate and still freeze when someone is racing you.

The Interface Is Functional but Basic

Ratatype's interface is clean. It's easy to navigate. But it's not exciting. It doesn't make you want to come back. It's a tool, not an experience.

For kids, this matters. For adults who need a certificate, it doesn't. But for anyone who wants typing to feel like a game, Ratatype feels like homework.

The Practice Material Lacks Depth

One review noted that Ratatype's practice material "has been described as lacking depth". That's fair. The lessons are solid for beginners, but they don't offer the variety or engagement of more modern platforms.

If you're past the beginner stage, Ratatype's lessons might bore you.

The Paid Features Are Annoying

Ratatype used to be entirely free. In 2024, paid features were introduced. You now have to pay to unlock your certificate, remove ads, or get unlimited access to lessons.

It's not a huge deal. The core experience is still accessible. But it's a shift from the platform's original promise. And it means the "free" certificate isn't actually free anymore.

What TypingBattles Does Better

Now here's where the challenger fights back.

Real Human Opponents

This is the core difference. On TypingBattles, you're racing a person. Someone real. Someone who wants to win.

That changes everything.

When I race a timer, I push myself. But when I race a human, something else kicks in. Adrenaline. Focus. The fear of losing. My WPM on TypingBattles consistently ran 5-8 words higher than my Ratatype scores. Not because I'm better. Because the pressure is higher.

Zero Friction

On TypingBattles, you can jump straight into a race with no account, no sign-up wall, and no waiting. You click "Find Opponent," and you're racing almost immediately.

Ratatype requires you to take a test to get a certificate. You can't just race. That's by design — but it means there's a barrier to entry for anyone who just wants to compete.

No Ads on the Free Version

TypingBattles is completely free with no ads. Ratatype's free version shows ads unless you pay. For anyone who finds ads distracting — and most people do — TypingBattles offers a cleaner experience out of the box.

Difficulty Control

Ratatype's difficulty is determined by the test you take. TypingBattles lets you choose from four levels — Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert. That means you can warm up on easy text and push yourself on hard text in the same session.

My 30-Day Experiment Results

Here's what actually happened when I tracked both platforms.

Month 1: Ratatype Only

1. Starting WPM: 81
2. Ending WPM: 86
3. Improvement: +5 WPM
4. Accuracy: 96% to 97%
5. Sessions: 30 (daily, 15 minutes each)

Ratatype was good for accuracy. The lessons forced me to slow down and type correctly. The certificate was nice to have. But the pace was slow, and I found myself wanting to race instead of drilling.

Month 2: TypingBattles Only

1. Starting WPM: 86
2. Ending WPM: 97
3. Improvement: +11 WPM
4. Accuracy: 97% to 98%
5. Sessions: 30 (daily, 15 minutes each)

TypingBattles was faster. The live races meant less waiting and more pressure. The lack of ads meant fewer distractions. And the difficulty levels let me control the challenge.

Why the Difference?

Three things.

Competition drives performance. Seeing your opponent's progress bar move is a performance enhancer. It forces you to type faster and cleaner than you would alone.

No friction. TypingBattles gets you into a race faster. Over 15 minutes, that means more races. More races means more practice.

No ads. The absence of ads kept me focused. I didn't realize how much the interruptions were breaking my flow until they were gone.

Who Each Platform Is For

Use Ratatype If:

1. You need a typing certificate for a job application
2. You want structured lessons to learn touch typing
3. You use an alternative keyboard layout (Dvorak, AZERTY, etc.)
4. You want to learn in a language other than English
5. You're a teacher looking for a classroom tool

Use TypingBattles If:

1. You already know how to type and want to get faster
2. You want real-time racing against real people
3. You want to perform under pressure
4. You want faster matchmaking and less waiting
5. You want competition that drives improvement

Use Both If:

1. You want the best of both worlds
2. You need a certificate and you want to get faster
3. You want structured lessons and competitive pressure

My Current Routine

After 30 days on each, here's what I do now.

Warm up on Ratatype. Five minutes of accuracy-focused lessons to reinforce proper technique.

Race on TypingBattles. Ten minutes of live races against real opponents.

Cool down on Ratatype. Five minutes of slow, accurate typing to end on a good note.

This combination gives me the best of both platforms. Ratatype provides the structured practice and certificate potential. TypingBattles provides the pressure and competition. Together, they cover both halves of the equation.

The Bottom Line

Ratatype is the best platform for typing certificates. If you need proof of your typing speed for a job application, it's the obvious choice. The structured lessons are solid too, especially if you use an alternative keyboard layout.

TypingBattles is the best platform for competitive improvement. If you already know how to type and want to get faster, it's the better pick. The pressure of real races will push you harder than any lesson.

But honestly? You don't have to choose. Get your certificate on Ratatype. Race on TypingBattles. That's the winning combination.

Your fingers will thank you either way.

Key Takeaways

1. Ratatype offers typing certificates accepted by most employers, including government organizations.
2. TypingBattles offers real-time racing against real human opponents.
3. Ratatype has structured lessons in 10 languages and supports QWERTY, AZERTY, Dvorak, and QWERTZ.
4. TypingBattles has no ads on the free version. Ratatype shows ads unless you pay.
5. My 30-day test: TypingBattles drove +11 WPM improvement vs Ratatype's +5 WPM.
6. Best approach: Use both. Ratatype for certificates and lessons. TypingBattles for racing and pressure training.

Author Bio

Abid is a competitive typist on TypingBattles (105 WPM, 400+ wins). He spent 30 days on Ratatype working toward a certificate before switching to TypingBattles for racing. He still uses Ratatype for accuracy drills. His Ratatype certificate says Platinum. His TypingBattles rank is higher. He credits competition for the difference.

Recommendation

Ready to race real opponents? Find out if competition makes you faster.

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