ControllerMate vs Keysticks
ControllerMate
orderedbytes.com
Keysticks
keysticks.netSide by side
| Figure | ControllerMate | Keysticks |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Controller Mapping Software | 8.2 (#8) | 8.1 (#10) |
| Actions | Building blocks can perform logic, math, and timing, generate keyboard or mouse activity, run AppleScripts, open files, or launch applications. | Actions include key presses, pointer control, window activation, program launching, profile loading and media or browser commands. |
| Maker | OrderedBytes says it was founded in 2005 and introduced ControllerMate as its first product that year. | The contact page identifies Tim Brogden as the creator of Keysticks. |
| Purpose | ControllerMate triggers custom keyboard, mouse, and MIDI actions from input devices. | Keysticks lets users control a Windows PC with a gamepad or joystick to browse the web, play games and music, and use the computer in place of a keyboard and mouse. |
| Support | Support is offered through documentation, the OrderedBytes forum, and email. | The maker provides online help and an FAQ and invites users to contact Tim, the creator, through a contact form. |
Plans
In their own words
ControllerMate
ControllerMate is a macOS utility that maps input-device controls and MIDI messages to custom keyboard, mouse, and MIDI actions. Its programming combines more than 70 kinds of building blocks into functions. Blocks can handle logic, math, and timing; generate keyboard or mouse activity; run AppleScripts; open files; or launch applications. Users can remap or disable keyboard buttons and configure standard or custom mouse acceleration curves for devices using ControllerMate's driver. MIDI notes, controller values, and patch changes can trigger blocks, and the software can send MIDI messages through a virtual MIDI source. It can also create virtual mouse, tablet, and joystick devices. A helper application can monitor connected controllers and keep current programming running after the main application closes. Unregistered use has no time limit, but only 10 blocks may generate output; input, logic, math, and timing blocks have no stated limit. OrderedBytes introduced ControllerMate as its first product in 2005. The maker lists uses including audio and video editing, music production, gaming, and flight simulation.
Keysticks
Keysticks lets you control a Windows PC with a gamepad or joystick, including for web browsing, games, music and tasks normally handled with a keyboard and mouse. It supports correctly installed wired or wireless XInput and DirectInput controllers. For games that accept keyboard or mouse input, you can create custom layouts and mappings; configurable pointer controls and an on-screen keyboard with word prediction cover other computer tasks. The interface is English only, though the keyboard and word prediction support multiple languages. Sample profiles are included, and the Profile Browser lets you preview and download other users’ profiles. Sharing through the Download Area requires an account and sign-in. A profile can support up to four players, and the software supports per-app profiles and profile switching. Keysticks is free and open source under the Eclipse Public License v1.0. The listed release is v2.14 for Windows, with Windows 10, 8, 7 or Vista suggested as minimum operating systems. Some games block emulated input, and administrator-level tasks require Keysticks to run with administrator privileges.