FlexInput vs GameFlow
FlexInput
github.comGameFlow
github.comSide by side
| Figure | FlexInput | GameFlow |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Controller Mapper Software | 7.7 (#14) | 8.9 (#1) |
| License | The repository identifies FlexInput as MIT licensed. | The repository is marked MIT licensed. |
| Requirements | The project lists Windows 10/11 (x64) as a requirement and says the HIDMaestro driver is built into the app for virtual devices. | The build requires .NET SDK 10.0 or later, Git and an SDL3 native library for the target operating system. |
| What it does | FlexInput is a node-based HID/MIDI input routing and mapping application for Windows that connects physical and networked inputs to virtual outputs. | GameFlow transforms gamepad, keyboard, mouse or phone input through saved profiles into virtual-controller output. |
Plans
In their own words
FlexInput
FlexInput is a Windows application for routing and mapping HID and MIDI inputs to virtual outputs. Its visual signal graph supports drag-and-drop editing, reusable nested sub-patches, and factory presets. Listed controller inputs include XInput, DualShock 4, DualSense, Switch Pro, Joy-Con 2, and third-party SDL3 controllers; it also accepts MIDI. Outputs include virtual XInput and DualShock 4/DualSense controllers, keyboard, and mouse. MIDI mapping offers per-CC output pins and CC Learn, while supported controllers can provide raw gyroscope and accelerometer data. FlexInput can route an AutoMap gamepad bus between two instances over LAN UDP, encrypted PSK UDP, or P2P transport. LAN UDP is unencrypted; PSK uses a shared passphrase and P2P uses a cryptographic keypair. WASAPI loopback audio can be routed to rumble. HidHide can conceal remapped physical devices but requires a separate driver. The app is free and MIT-licensed. It requires Windows 10/11 (x64); installation uses a Windows x64 ZIP, with no installer.
GameFlow
GameFlow is free, cross-platform gamepad tooling that routes gamepad, keyboard, mouse, or phone input through saved profiles to virtual-controller output. Mapping options include autofire, remapping, shift layers, SOCD cleaning, stick trim, gyro aiming, touchpad mapping, button combos, and freeze macros. Custom control logic can be written in sandboxed Lua through MoonSharp. Profiles are editable JSON documents that users can create, duplicate, rename, import, and export. A phone browser on the same local network can act as a controller without an installed app, with support for up to 16 phones. GameFlow can generate a transparent controller-overlay URL for an OBS Browser source, and its motion server exposes DSU/Cemuhook over UDP for Cemu, Dolphin, Yuzu, and Ryujinx. The application requires .NET SDK 10.0 or later and uses SDL3 for gamepad and joystick input on Windows, Linux, and macOS. Windows virtual output uses HIDMaestro in user mode; Linux and macOS virtual gamepad output are not built yet.