Controller Manager vs PadLink

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.

PadLink turns controllers that macOS does not recognize into game input, routing each as a virtual DualShock 4 or as keyboard and mouse. Different controllers can use those modes at the same time. Named profiles let users bind buttons to keys and assign analog sticks to Mouse, Arrow Keys, WASD, or off. The app reads USB HID controllers through per-device profiles, and its maker says it adds profiles over time. A companion iOS and Android app can act as a controller for a computer running PadLink on the same local network. PadLink is available for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. The free Standard plan supports one active controller; Pro costs 2.99 USD one-time and supports up to four, with ad-free Mobile Remote, Car Driving cockpit, and future updates. An optional Pro trial lasts 7 days, needs no card or sign-up, and supports up to two controllers. On Windows, virtual-gamepad output depends on the third-party ViGEmBus driver; keyboard-and-mouse output does not.