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Tracked since2026
0 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free, no paid tier
Biggest pro
No additional hardware required, uses the built-in webcam
Biggest con
Requires macOS 14 or later and a working webcam
TL;DR - Pawvis
- Control your Mac cursor and gestures using only your webcam and hand movements.
- Supports click, right-click, scroll, drag, dwell click, and custom gesture actions.
- Fully free and open source (MIT license) for macOS 14+.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
What is Pawvis?
Pawvis is a free and open-source macOS app that turns your webcam into a hand-tracking cursor controller. No extra hardware, wearables, or depth sensors are needed, your Mac's built-in camera already sees your hand and tracks its 21 joints in real time. The cursor follows your open palm, a dip of the index finger clicks, folding two fingers scrolls, and custom gestures can trigger any shortcut, app, or command.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No additional hardware required, uses the built-in webcam
- Free and open source with MIT license
- Reduces wrist strain and mouse dependency for RSI prevention
Cons
- Requires macOS 14 or later and a working webcam
- Gestures may have a learning curve for precise control
Key Features
Cursor movement via open hand trackingClick by dipping index finger (configurable thresholds)Right-click by dipping pinky fingerTwo-finger fold for vertical/horizontal scrollingCustom gesture training and per-app action assignmentsDwell click for hands that can't dip preciselyStop tracking gesture (cross both hands) to park cursorAuto mode adjusts tracking area to hand distance
Pricing
Free
Pawvis is completely free to use with no hidden costs.
Reviews
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Pawvis FAQ
How does Pawvis help reduce wrist strain during daily computer use?
Pawvis reduces wrist strain by letting you control the cursor with hand gestures via your webcam, eliminating the need for a mouse or trackpad. This direct hand-tracking approach lowers wrist dependency, which is especially beneficial for repetitive strain injury (RSI) prevention.
What kind of system requirements does Pawvis need to run?
Pawvis requires macOS 14 or later and a working webcam, such as the Mac's built-in camera, to track hand gestures. Users should also expect a learning curve for precise gesture control, as the system interprets hand movements in real time.
Which teams or individuals benefit most from using Pawvis?
Individuals with RSI or wrist discomfort, productivity-focused users who want to reduce mouse dependency, and automation enthusiasts looking to trigger shortcuts with custom gestures benefit most from Pawvis. Its open-source nature also appeals to developers and tinkerers who want to inspect or modify the code.
How is Pawvis priced for individual users?
Pawvis is completely free to use with no paid plan required. It is released under the MIT open-source license, so anyone can download, use, and even modify the software at no cost.
Can Pawvis control the cursor with only the webcam?
Yes, Pawvis turns your Mac's built-in webcam into a hand-tracking cursor controller without any extra hardware or wearables. The cursor follows your open palm, and the software tracks 21 hand joints in real time to translate gestures into mouse movements.
Does Pawvis allow users to create custom gestures?
Yes, Pawvis supports custom gestures that can trigger any shortcut, app, or command on your Mac. This lets you tailor the gesture set to your workflow beyond the default click, scroll, and cursor controls.
How does Pawvis handle clicking and scrolling?
A dip of the index finger performs a click, and folding two fingers together enables scrolling. These gesture-based controls are designed to replicate common mouse actions without physical contact.
Can Pawvis trigger any system command or shortcut?
Yes, custom gestures in Pawvis can be mapped to any shortcut, app, or command on your Mac. This allows users to automate repetitive tasks or launch applications purely through hand gestures detected by the webcam.
Source: pawvis.app