Gamepad Mapper vs Keysticks

Gamepad Mapper lets users control a Mac and its applications with a gamepad or joystick, translating controller inputs into mouse and keyboard actions. Mouse mappings can move the cursor, click, scroll, drag and double-click, with adjustable cursor and scroll speed. Keyboard mappings can assign keys, repeat presses and use F1–F12. The app also lists system controls for playback, volume, mute, brightness, Mission Control, App Exposé, desktop switching and Show Desktop. A mapping combination feature can trigger multiple commands simultaneously. Listed controllers include Xbox Series X, PS5, Nintendo Switch Pro, Xbox One, DualShock 4 and 3, Xbox 360, Logitech and SteelSeries Nimbus models, among others. Connections can use USB or Bluetooth, and the axis dead zone is adjustable. The app has light and dark modes and can auto-enable the last active configuration when a controller connects. It requires macOS 12.0 or later and is for Mac only. The download is free with in-app purchases; the listed All Access plan is ₹299 a month.

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.