ControllerBuddy vs Joystick Gremlin
ControllerBuddy
controllerbuddy.orgJoystick Gremlin
whitemagic.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | ControllerBuddy | Joystick Gremlin |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · Controller Mapping Software | 8.8 (#1) | 7.3 (#21) |
| Input mapping | Profiles can map gamepad inputs to keyboard and mouse actions or a virtual joystick device. | It can map joystick inputs to keyboard and mouse inputs. |
| Modes | Mappings can be organized into switchable or momentary modes so one controller can expose multiple layouts. | Profiles can use multiple modes with inheritance, so a child mode can use mappings from a parent when it has none of its own for an input. |
| Purpose | ControllerBuddy maps gamepad inputs for flight simulators, aiming to let users fly without a joystick, keyboard, or mouse. | Joystick Gremlin configures joystick-like devices, including devices from different manufacturers and custom devices that appear as joysticks to Windows. |
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.
Joystick Gremlin
Joystick Gremlin has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.