ControllerBuddy vs Joystick Mapper
ControllerBuddy
controllerbuddy.orgJoystick Mapper
joystickmapper.comSide by side
| Figure | ControllerBuddy | Joystick Mapper |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Controller Mapping Software | 8.8 (#1) | 7.3 (#22) |
| Spec score · Game Controller Mapper Software | 8.8 (#2) | 7.3 (#20) |
| Controller compatibility | Supported examples include Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, DualShock 3/4 and DualSense controllers, with additional SDL_GameControllerDB devices supported. | The FAQ says the app works with HID-compatible gamepads and some non-HID models such as Xbox 360 and PS3 controllers when suitable drivers are installed and pairing is correct. |
| Purpose | ControllerBuddy maps gamepad inputs for flight simulators, aiming to let users fly without a joystick, keyboard, or mouse. | Joystick Mapper configures joysticks or gamepads to simulate keyboard keys, mouse movement, clicks, and scrolling for apps or games without built-in controller support. |
| Support | The project directs bug reports to GitHub Issues and questions to its Discord community. | The contact page directs general questions and troubleshooting to the forums or email and says replies may take a few days because the developer works alone. |
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 Mapper
Joystick Mapper has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.