ControllerBuddy

ControllerBuddy is a gamepad mapper designed for flight simulators, for Windows and Linux players who want to fly without a joystick. Its simulator profiles, mode switching and virtual joystick output make it a focused free option, though its trigger and mode-action limits rule out some control layouts.

Overview

ControllerBuddy turns gamepad inputs into keyboard and mouse actions or virtual joystick output. Per-app profiles and profile switching help keep mappings tailored to different simulators or aircraft, and community-maintained profiles include DCS World and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024. Those profiles give simulator players a practical place to start; the mapping limits still matter when adapting them to a preferred setup.

Modes let controls take on different functions, while an overlay shows the active mode and virtual-axis states. A gamepad-operated on-screen keyboard can select keys and hold several at once. This breadth is useful for users trying to manage a simulator from one controller, but it is a specialized tool rather than a universal solution for every input layout.

Key features

Input mapping and controller support

Profiles can map gamepad inputs to keyboard and mouse actions or a virtual joystick. Controller support includes Xbox Controller, DualShock 4 and DualSense, as well as other devices supported by SDL_GameControllerDB. The range of outputs suits flight-sim setups that need both desktop-style input and joystick controls.

Mode and trigger constraints

Mode actions must be assigned at the Default Mode level: they cannot be triggered by combinations of multiple buttons or placed inside another mode. That limits layered or chord-based control schemes. The two triggers also cannot be combined into one axis for rudder control, a meaningful drawback for players who rely on that arrangement.

Installation and integrations

The official Flatpak package includes profiles and optional helper scripts for Proton games and DOSBox Staging. The install script supports Windows x86-64 and Linux x86-64 or aarch64; Windows setup configures vJoy, while Linux setup uses udev and uinput. The FAQ describes a DCS World integration example and says command-line parameters can help with other applications, making integration possible without implying that every application has a ready-made setup.

Pricing

ControllerBuddy is free and open-source software under GNU GPL v3.0, priced at $0. There is one plan, ControllerBuddy, with per-app profiles, profile switching, keyboard and mouse remapping, and virtual controller output. It has no free-plan cap or paid tier to weigh against those features. A free trial is not offered because the software is free.

Platforms

ControllerBuddy supports Windows 10 or 11 (x64) and Linux (x64 or aarch64). Its platform focus suits desktop simulator users on those systems, but it is not an option for macOS or mobile users.

Who it's for

Choose ControllerBuddy if you play flight simulators on Windows or Linux and want one gamepad to handle simulator controls and keyboard or mouse input. Its profiles, modes, overlay and on-screen keyboard are especially relevant when a joystick or separate keyboard is not part of the setup. Look elsewhere if your layout depends on combining both triggers into a rudder axis, nested mode actions or multi-button mode triggers.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Simulator and aircraft profiles include examples for DCS World and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, reducing the need to start every setup from scratch.
• Pros: Keyboard and mouse mapping, virtual joystick output, modes and an on-screen keyboard cover several input needs from one controller.
• Pros: The software is free under GNU GPL v3.0, with no paid plan or free-plan feature cap.
• Cons: Triggers cannot be merged into a single rudder axis, excluding a common control arrangement.
• Cons: Mode actions cannot use button combinations or be nested, limiting complex profiles.
• Cons: Rolling releases come with best-effort backward compatibility, not a guarantee; setups that depend on long-term compatibility may prefer a more predictable release approach.

Alternatives

Controller Mapping Software and Game Controller Mapper Software are useful starting points for comparing other tools in the category.

• PadLink is worth considering if you want a freemium mapper that also supports Android, iOS and macOS, alongside Windows.
• AntiMicroX is another free option for Linux and Windows.
• DS4Windows is a free alternative for Windows 10 or newer users who are prepared to install its stated runtime and driver requirements.
• Gamepad Mapper is a macOS alternative with a free download and in-app purchases.
• InputConfig is a free option for macOS 14 or later.
• JoyShockMapper is another free Linux and Windows mapper; its Linux version can be built from source.
• Keysticks is free Windows software with no registration required.
• OmniControl offers a free Windows plan for controller reading, mapping and tuning, with a paid Insider plan at $9.99 a month.

Verdict

ControllerBuddy is the right choice for Windows and Linux flight-sim players who want a free mapper with simulator profiles, mode support and virtual joystick output. Its focused feature set is the main reason to choose it; the inability to merge triggers for rudder control and best-effort backward compatibility are the strongest reasons to look elsewhere.