ControllerBuddy vs InputConfig

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.

InputConfig maps controllers and a Mac’s keyboard, mouse, and trackpad to keyboard and mouse actions across macOS apps. It supports DualSense, DualSense Edge, DualShock 4, Xbox, Switch Pro, Joy-Cons, Stadia, 8BitDo, Steam Controller, and MFi or HID gamepads. Mappings can trigger keystrokes, clicks, pointer movement, scrolling, typed phrases, macros, MIDI notes, and system functions, including hold, double-tap, chord, and turbo actions. InputConfig can also send MIDI notes, control changes, and pitch bend through a virtual MIDI port for GarageBand, Logic, and other DAWs. The editor offers per-app profiles and profile switching, along with more than 450 presets for games, apps, and workflows. The maker describes accessibility support for adaptive controllers, one-stick driving, spoken feedback, dictation, and zoom. InputConfig is free and open source under the MIT license. It requires macOS 14 or later and supports Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Virtual-controller output is not available.