Akko Cloud Driver vs ROCCAT Swarm II

Akko Cloud Driver is free software for configuring selected Akko keyboards and the AG ONE 8K mouse. It supports custom RGB settings, macro programming, online firmware upgrades, polling rate control, and sensitivity controls. Akko offers version 4 downloads for Windows and Mac, plus browser-based keyboard and mouse drivers for selected models. Which devices work depends on the driver version, so users need to check the model-specific software list. The driver is not compatible with all VIA/QMK models, and Akko says VIA/QMK keyboards do not support Akko Cloud Drivers. Connection limits vary: the web driver uses HID and does not support wireless connections, while the Mac app driver does not support Bluetooth. On Mac, customization over Bluetooth is unavailable and some functions, including Audio Visualizer, are not offered. The Mac browser driver requires Chrome; Safari and Firefox are unsupported. Akko provides compatibility guidance in its FAQ and directs users to the download page for model-specific software. Akko says it was founded in Shenzhen, China, in 2016.

ROCCAT Swarm II is free software for configuring compatible Turtle Beach devices and selected ROCCAT products. It can update firmware; supported headsets also get a dynamic 10-band equalizer, audio and microphone presets, and controls for microphone sensitivity, noise gate, and monitoring. The app can assign functions to a remappable wheel and mode button on supported headsets. Profiles store audio, microphone, and other adjustable settings. Some devices retain settings in onboard memory when Swarm II is closed or absent, but the maker notes that not every configured function is retained. The Atlas 200 USB profile guide describes five onboard profile slots and automatic switching for profiles assigned to games or programs. The app is listed for Windows, Android, and iOS. Basic device functions do not require Swarm, and some devices support driverless setup; Turtle Beach says installing Swarm II is necessary for troubleshooting. Some advanced audio features available in 2.4GHz wireless mode may not work over Bluetooth. For Atlas 200 USB, desktop software requires a USB audio adapter on Windows and the mobile version is unavailable.