ControllerBuddy vs DS4Windows
ControllerBuddy
controllerbuddy.org
DS4Windows
ds4-windows.comSide by side
| Figure | ControllerBuddy | DS4Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Controller Mapping Software | 8.8 (#1) | 7.8 (#16) |
| Spec score · Game Controller Mapper Software | 8.8 (#2) | 7.8 (#13) |
| Input mapping | Profiles can map gamepad inputs to keyboard and mouse actions or a virtual joystick device. | Users can remap controller inputs to keyboard, mouse, joystick, touchpad, lightbar, rumble and motion-sensor controls. |
| Profiles | Profiles are JSON configuration files that can be edited and saved inside the application. | The application supports profiles that can switch automatically when different programs are in focus. |
| Purpose | ControllerBuddy maps gamepad inputs for flight simulators, aiming to let users fly without a joystick, keyboard, or mouse. | DS4Windows is an open-source gamepad input mapper and virtual emulator for connecting PlayStation controllers to Windows 10/11 PCs. |
| Support | The project directs bug reports to GitHub Issues and questions to its Discord community. | The site provides installation, troubleshooting, supported-gamepad documentation and a contact form for direct support. |
Plans
In their own words
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.
DS4Windows
DS4Windows is a free, open-source Windows application that maps gamepad input and emulates controllers so compatible games can use PlayStation controllers on Windows 10 or 11 PCs. It can present input as an Xbox 360 or DualShock 4 controller. Supported devices include DualShock 3 and 4, DualSense and DualSense Edge, Nintendo Switch Pro controllers, Switch Joy-Con, and various third-party PS4 controllers. Users can remap inputs to keyboard, mouse, joystick, touchpad, lightbar, rumble, and motion-sensor controls, and create profiles that switch when different programs are in focus. Connections include Micro USB, Sony Wireless Adapter, and Bluetooth 4.0 with the Microsoft Bluetooth stack. ViGEmBus is required to create virtual controllers; HidHide and FakerInput are optional drivers. The official build also has experimental Moonlight/Sunshine support. Requirements include Windows 10 or newer, .NET 8.0 Desktop Runtime, Visual C++ Redistributable, and ViGEmBus. Steam's PlayStation and Xbox Configuration Support should be disabled when using DS4Windows. Virtual DS4 rumble is disabled, and DualSense adaptive-trigger support is limited.