Controller Companion vs Keysticks
Controller Companion
controllercompanion.com
Keysticks
keysticks.netSide by side
| Figure | Controller Companion | Keysticks |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 2 |
| Spec score · Controller Mapping Software | 8.4 (#6) | 8.1 (#10) |
| Controller compatibility | The Steam listing requires an XInput-compatible controller; PlayStation pads need an XInput wrapper. | Supported controllers are correctly installed gamepads or joysticks using XInput or DirectInput. |
| Purpose | Controller Companion lets users control a PC desktop with a game controller, including mouse, keyboard, and media controls. | Keysticks lets users control a Windows PC with a gamepad or joystick to browse the web, play games and music, and use the computer in place of a keyboard and mouse. |
| Support | The maker's homepage directs questions to [email protected]. | The maker provides online help and an FAQ and invites users to contact Tim, the creator, through a contact form. |
| System requirements | Minimum requirements are Windows 7 and an XInput controller; Windows 10 is recommended. | The published minimum is Windows 10, 8, 7 or Vista with at least 30 MB of free disk space. |
| Virtual keyboard | Clicking the left stick opens an arcade-style on-screen keyboard for desktop text entry. | The software includes an on-screen keyboard with word prediction and selectable layouts. |
| What it does | Controller Companion lets a game controller operate the Windows desktop, including mouse, keyboard and media functions. | Keysticks maps game-controller input to mouse, keyboard and application actions for PC use. |
Plans
Controller Companion
- Controller Companion (Steam)$2.99, paid once
- Controller Companion (Steam)$2.99, paid once
- Controller Companion (itch.io)$3, paid once
- Controller Companion (itch.io)$3, paid once
In their own words
Controller Companion
Controller Companion has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Keysticks
Keysticks lets you control a Windows PC with a gamepad or joystick, including for web browsing, games, music and tasks normally handled with a keyboard and mouse. It supports correctly installed wired or wireless XInput and DirectInput controllers. For games that accept keyboard or mouse input, you can create custom layouts and mappings; configurable pointer controls and an on-screen keyboard with word prediction cover other computer tasks. The interface is English only, though the keyboard and word prediction support multiple languages. Sample profiles are included, and the Profile Browser lets you preview and download other users’ profiles. Sharing through the Download Area requires an account and sign-in. A profile can support up to four players, and the software supports per-app profiles and profile switching. Keysticks is free and open source under the Eclipse Public License v1.0. The listed release is v2.14 for Windows, with Windows 10, 8, 7 or Vista suggested as minimum operating systems. Some games block emulated input, and administrator-level tasks require Keysticks to run with administrator privileges.