AntiMicroX vs ControllerBuddy
AntiMicroX
github.com
ControllerBuddy
controllerbuddy.orgSide by side
| Figure | AntiMicroX | ControllerBuddy |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Controller Mapping Software | 8.6 (#2) | 8.8 (#1) |
| Spec score · Game Controller Mapper Software | 8.6 (#3) | 8.8 (#2) |
| License | The project states that AntiMicroX is licensed under GPL v3. | ControllerBuddy is released under the GNU General Public License version 3.0. |
| Operating systems | The project describes the application as usable on Linux and Windows. | Windows and Linux receive full local, client and server support; macOS is server-only and has no provided binaries. |
| Purpose | AntiMicroX maps gamepad keys to keyboard, mouse, scripts, and macros so a gamepad can control desktop applications. | ControllerBuddy maps gamepad inputs for flight simulators, aiming to let users fly without a joystick, keyboard, or mouse. |
| Support | The project points users to GitHub issues and discussions for help, bug reports, questions, and suggestions. | The project directs bug reports to GitHub Issues and questions to its Discord community. |
Plans
In their own words
AntiMicroX
AntiMicroX is a desktop application for Linux and Windows that maps gamepad controls to keyboard keys, mouse actions, scripts, and macros. It can be used to control desktop applications or play games without gamepad support. Users can assign multiple mapping sets to a gamepad and switch between them. Auto profiles can associate a profile with the active application window, but that feature is unavailable in Wayland. The application can generate SDL2 configuration to map atypical gamepads to generic controllers such as Xbox 360 controllers. The project says it supports X.org and Wayland, while warning that the Flatpak package may not work correctly with Wayland. Downloads include Windows installers and Linux options such as Flatpak, AppImage, Debian or Ubuntu packages, and installation options for Fedora, openSUSE, and Arch. AntiMicroX is licensed under GPL version 3 and provides a D-Bus service for some functions, including selecting the current control set. The project is seeking a new maintainer and expects limited support, with no new features planned unless external contributors provide them.
ControllerBuddy
ControllerBuddy maps gamepad inputs to keyboard and mouse actions or a virtual joystick for flight simulators. Profiles can assign controls through different modes, and an overlay displays the active mode and virtual-axis states. A gamepad-controlled on-screen keyboard supports selecting keys and holding multiple keys at once. The software supports Xbox Controller, DualShock 4, DualSense and other controllers supported by SDLGameControllerDB. Community-maintained profiles are listed for simulators and aircraft, including DCS World and Microsoft Flight Simulator versions 2020 and 2024. ControllerBuddy runs on Windows 10 or 11 (x64) and Linux (x64 or aarch64); its official Flatpak package includes profiles and optional helper scripts for Proton games and DOSBox Staging. The software is free and open-source under GNU GPL v3.0. There are control limits: mode actions must be assigned at Default Mode level and cannot combine multiple buttons, and the two triggers cannot be merged into one rudder axis. It uses rolling releases, with backward compatibility not guaranteed.