ControllerBuddy vs Keypable
ControllerBuddy
controllerbuddy.org
Keypable
keypable.digi.saSide by side
| Figure | ControllerBuddy | Keypable |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Controller Mapper Software | 8.8 (#2) | 7.3 (#21) |
| Profiles | Profiles are JSON configuration files that can be edited and saved inside the application. | Per-game profiles can switch when a game comes to the foreground, remain saved locally, and be imported or exported between PCs. |
| Purpose | ControllerBuddy maps gamepad inputs for flight simulators, aiming to let users fly without a joystick, keyboard, or mouse. | Keypable is a Windows control center for controller emulation, remapping, calibration and per-game settings. |
| Support | The project directs bug reports to GitHub Issues and questions to its Discord community. | Support is available by email, and users can attach diagnostic log files when reporting a problem. |
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.
Keypable
Keypable has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.