ControllerBuddy vs PadForge

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.

PadForge is a free Windows application that maps physical input devices to the virtual controller format a game expects. It remaps gamepads, wheels, flight sticks, keyboards, mice, touchpads, MIDI devices, HOTAS, arcade sticks, and VR controllers, producing keyboard-and-mouse or virtual-controller output. Up to 16 virtual controllers can run at once, including Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, Steam, VR, MIDI, and keyboard-and-mouse shapes. Per-app profiles can switch automatically when a game takes focus, and 13 starter profiles are included. Gyro tools provide calibration, smoothing, and gyro-to-stick or gyro-to-mouse mapping. Supported Steam community layouts can be imported. Razer Chroma and Logitech LIGHTSYNC lighting are supported through their local software engines. A browser on the same Wi-Fi network can serve as a controller for up to 16 phones without installing an app. Remote Link shares controllers between PadForge PCs over a network or the internet. The maker says there is no telemetry.