Controller Manager vs Keysticks

Controller Manager is a free, MIT-licensed Linux daemon that remaps physical controllers to another protocol, such as presenting a Sony DualSense as an Xbox 360 pad. Each connected controller can be switched between native and remapped modes from the system tray. Identical controllers are tracked separately by stable device identity, so they can use different modes. Device-layer remapping applies across launchers and applications, including Steam and Proton. Tested families listed by the project include Sony DualSense and Microsoft Xbox One and Series pads over USB and Bluetooth. The tray updates when controllers connect or disconnect, and DualSense lightbar colors indicate native or emulated mode. A raw HID gate hides the source node in remapped mode to address double input. It requires a modern Linux desktop, a user systemd session, a StatusNotifierItem tray host, and write access to /dev/uinput.

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.