ControllerBuddy vs OmniControl
ControllerBuddy
controllerbuddy.org
OmniControl
omnicontrol.meSide by side
| Figure | ControllerBuddy | OmniControl |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $5/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 6 |
| Spec score · Controller Mapping Software | 8.8 (#1) | 8.5 (#5) |
| Spec score · Game Controller Mapper Software | 8.8 (#2) | 8.4 (#7) |
| Profiles | Profiles are JSON configuration files that can be edited and saved inside the application. | Profiles save mappings, tuning, emulation, lighting, calibration and related settings, with unlimited profile storage. |
| Support | The project directs bug reports to GitHub Issues and questions to its Discord community. | Discord is the primary support channel, while [email protected] handles account, licensing and purchase questions. |
| System requirements | The FAQ lists Windows 10 or 11 on x64 and Linux on x64 or aarch64. | The download requires Windows 10 or Windows 11 64-bit; the installer is listed as 43.6 MB. |
| What it does | ControllerBuddy maps gamepad controls to keyboard, mouse and virtual-joystick inputs for flight simulators. | OmniControl is a native Windows desktop app that remaps controller inputs, tunes sticks and triggers, records macros, and can expose a virtual controller to games. |
Plans
OmniControl
- FreeFree
- Insider$9.99 a month
- Pro Monthly (Quest page)$9.99 a month
- Pro Monthly$14.99 a month
- Pro Annual (Quest page)$59.99 a year
- Pro Annual$74.99 a year
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.
OmniControl
OmniControl is a Windows desktop app for changing controller inputs and presenting them to games as a virtual controller. It can remap buttons, sticks, and triggers, read motion, and record macros. Emulation requires the separate ViGEmBus driver, which can be installed from the app. Supported devices include DualSense and DualShock controllers, Xbox models, Switch Pro, GameCube and Wii Remote through Dolphin outputs, Meta Touch Plus, Quest 3/3S over Link, and Razer Raiju V3. Its Game Packs catalog has ready-made setups for 251 games that users can browse and import for free. For PS5 Remote Play, it works with chiaki-ng using a virtual DualShock 4 and includes presets for about 60 PS5 games. Game Center scans Steam and Epic libraries, accepts manual additions, and links games to profiles for automatic switching. The free plan covers reading, mapping, and tuning. Insider costs $9.99/mo; Pro Annual costs $59.99 per year. The 64-bit Windows 10 and 11 installer is 48.1 MB and updates automatically.