ControllerBuddy maps gamepad inputs to keyboard and mouse actions or a virtual joystick, for controlling flight simulators without using a joystick, keyboard or mouse as primary controls. Profiles can assign functions through modes, and an overlay displays the active mode and virtual-axis states. A gamepad-controlled on-screen keyboard can select keys and hold multiple keys at once. Supported controllers include Xbox Controller, DualShock 4, DualSense and other devices supported by SDL_GameControllerDB. The site lists community-maintained profiles for simulators and aircraft, including DCS World and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024. ControllerBuddy supports Windows 10 or 11 (x64) and Linux (x64 or aarch64). Its official Flatpak package includes profiles and optional helper scripts for Proton games and DOSBox Staging. The software is free and open-source under GNU GPL v3.0. Mode actions must be assigned at Default Mode level and cannot combine multiple buttons. The two gamepad triggers also cannot be merged into one axis for rudder control. The project uses rolling releases, and backward compatibility is not guaranteed.
Who it is for
It suits flight-simulator players who want to control simulator inputs with a gamepad on Windows or Linux. It may also suit users of the listed community profiles and supported controllers.
What is good
- Maps controls to keyboard, mouse or virtual joystick
- Includes modes and an active-mode overlay
- Supports Xbox, DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers
- Free and open-source under GNU GPL v3.0
What to know first
- Mode actions cannot combine multiple buttons
- Triggers cannot be merged into one rudder axis
- Backward compatibility is not guaranteed
Verdict
ControllerBuddy offers gamepad remapping and simulator profiles for Windows and Linux at no cost. Its mode-action and trigger limits, along with best-effort backward compatibility, are worth considering.
ControllerBuddy plans and pricing
All plansCompared on controller mapping software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Windows, Linux
- Per-app profiles
- Yes
- Profile switching
- Yes
- Keyboard and mouse remap
- Yes
- Virtual controller output
- Yes
