CheatDeck vs ChooChoo Loader
CheatDeck
github.comChooChoo Loader
github.comSide by side
| Figure | CheatDeck | ChooChoo Loader |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Trainers | 8.3 (#3) | 8.0 (#8) |
| Compatibility caveat | A sidecar may need .NET Core, .NET Framework, or Visual C++ Redistributable dependencies installed in its compatibility environment with protontricks. | The README says Whisky is unsuitable for ChooChoo-style gaming with binaries that require complex memory manipulation. |
| Integrations | The README lists optional presets for Lossless Scaling and OptiScaler that require their respective Decky plugins. | The README describes using ChooChoo with Steam and Proton on Steam Deck and with Whisky on macOS. |
| License | The public repository identifies its license as GPL-3.0. | The project identifies itself as open-source software under the MIT License. |
| Purpose | CheatDeck is a Decky Loader plugin for launching sidecar programs and managing launch options on Steam Deck. | ChooChoo is a Proton/WINE trainer and DLL loader for launching games with trainers, mods, patches, and extra executables or DLLs. |
Plans
In their own words
CheatDeck
CheatDeck is a free, GPL-3.0 Decky Loader plugin for Steam Deck that launches sidecar programs and manages game launch options. It can start a selected .exe or .bat alongside a game in the same Proton or Wine environment, then stop it when the game exits. Its Language setting assigns one locale code to both LANG and HOST_LC_ALL. Advanced controls cover desktop behavior, FSYNC, WineD3D, compatibility-data redirection, and audio latency. Custom Options accept environment assignments, prefix commands, and arguments before or after %command%. Unsupported shell syntax or unclear launch options make a document read-only to prevent unsafe partial edits. Optional Lossless Scaling and OptiScaler presets require their corresponding Decky plugins. Installation uses Decky Loader Developer Mode and CheatDeck.zip from a release or nightly build. Some sidecars need runtime dependencies installed with protontricks.
ChooChoo Loader
ChooChoo Loader launches games through Proton or WINE alongside trainers, mods, patches, or other executables and DLLs. It can start a game and another program together, and supports up to five additional executables or DLLs. Before injecting a DLL, it checks whether its 32-bit or 64-bit architecture matches. Users can save and load profiles, have the last-used profile open automatically after a configurable delay, and reselect recently used game or trainer executables. The v5.0 release describes a touch-first interface with larger controls for touch and mouse input. The project README describes use with Steam and Proton on Steam Deck, and with Whisky on macOS; it cautions that Whisky is unsuitable for this style of gaming when binaries require complex memory manipulation. ChooChoo Loader lists Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. It is free, open-source software under the MIT License. The project directs users who find a bug to report it but does not specify a support service.