JoyToKey vs Keysticks
JoyToKey
joytokey.net
Keysticks
keysticks.netSide by side
| Figure | JoyToKey | Keysticks |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $7.50/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · Controller Mapping Software | 8.5 (#4) | 8.1 (#10) |
| Profiles | Users can create multiple controller profiles and associate them with the currently focused application. | Sample Windows profiles are included, and users can download or share additional profiles through the Profile Browser. |
| Purpose | JoyToKey converts game controller buttons and stick input into keyboard strokes or mouse movements for Windows applications and web games. | 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. |
| Rating on Softpedia | 1.0 out of 5 from 1 vote. | 4.3 out of 5 from 6 votes. |
| Rating on Uptodown | 3.8 out of 5 from 4 reviews. | Not specified out of an unspecified scale from 0 reviews. |
| Support | For a missing license key after purchase, the purchase page directs users to check email spam and then contact the author using the address in the app’s Help > About menu. | The maker provides online help and an FAQ and invites users to contact Tim, the creator, through a contact form. |
| System requirements | The official download page lists Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Vista. | The published minimum is Windows 10, 8, 7 or Vista with at least 30 MB of free disk space. |
| What it does | JoyToKey converts game-controller buttons and sticks into keyboard keystrokes and mouse actions for Windows applications and web games. | Keysticks maps game-controller input to mouse, keyboard and application actions for PC use. |
Plans
In their own words
JoyToKey
JoyToKey converts game-controller buttons and stick input into keyboard strokes or mouse actions for Windows applications and web games. A joystick button can be assigned a key, key combination, mouse movement, wheel movement, or click. Users can make multiple profiles and have the active profile switch based on the application in focus. An Auto Setting Wizard helps configure basic assignments, while advanced settings let a button rotate among two or three assignment sets based on rotation, press duration, or analog input level. Button Alias can create virtual buttons, combine functions for one input, or trigger an input when two buttons are pressed together. Profiles can be associated with target applications, and command-line arguments can refresh joystick devices or switch profiles. JoyToKey supports Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Vista, and is offered as an installer or ZIP archive, with a separate ASCII-only build. The shareware can be evaluated without functional limits. The JoyToKey License Key is listed at $7.50 a month for continued use after the trial period. The download page states that the product has no warranty.
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.