ControllerBuddy

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Score7.0

Rank#3 of 28

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onLinux, Windows

Summary

ControllerBuddy maps gamepad controls to keyboard and mouse actions or to a virtual joystick, with the aim of letting players control flight simulators without a joystick, keyboard, or mouse as their primary controls. Profiles can assign different functions to controls through modes, and an overlay shows the active mode and virtual-axis states. A gamepad-controlled on-screen keyboard lets users select keys and hold several at once. Supported controllers include Xbox Controller, DualShock 4, DualSense, and 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. It runs on Windows 10 or 11 (x64) and Linux (x64 or aarch64); an official Flatpak package includes profiles and optional helper scripts for Proton games and DOSBox Staging. ControllerBuddy 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 triggers also cannot be merged into one axis for rudder control. Updates use rolling releases, and backward compatibility is not guaranteed.

Who it is for

ControllerBuddy suits flight-simulator players who want to map gamepad inputs to simulator controls on Windows or Linux. It may also suit users who want community profiles or virtual joystick output.

What is good

Maps inputs to keyboard, mouse, or virtual joystick actions.
Profiles support modes and an overlay.
Includes a gamepad-controlled on-screen keyboard.
Supports Xbox Controller, DualShock 4, and DualSense.
Free and open-source under GNU GPL v3.0.

What to know first

Mode actions cannot combine multiple buttons.
Mode actions must be assigned at Default Mode level.
The two triggers cannot form one rudder axis.
Backward compatibility is not guaranteed.

Verdict

ControllerBuddy provides gamepad remapping and profiles for flight-simulator controls on Windows and Linux. Check its mode and trigger limits, and note that rolling-release updates do not guarantee backward compatibility.

ControllerBuddy plans and pricing

All plans

ControllerBuddy Free Free and open-source software · GNU GPL v3.0 controllerbuddy.org · 3 Oct 2026

Compared on controller mapping software

Free plan: Yescontrollerbuddy.org
Supported platforms: Windows, Linuxcontrollerbuddy.org
Per-app profiles: Yescontrollerbuddy.org
Profile switching: Yescontrollerbuddy.org
Keyboard and mouse remap: Yescontrollerbuddy.org
Virtual controller output: Yescontrollerbuddy.org

Facts

Purpose: ControllerBuddy maps gamepad inputs for flight simulators, aiming to let users fly without a joystick, keyboard, or mouse.controllerbuddy.org · 3 Oct 2026
Input mapping: Profiles can map gamepad inputs to keyboard and mouse actions or a virtual joystick device.controllerbuddy.org · 3 Oct 2026
Modes and overlay: Profiles support modes for assigning different functions to controls, and an overlay can show the active mode and virtual-axis states.controllerbuddy.org · 3 Oct 2026
On-screen keyboard: A gamepad-controlled on-screen keyboard supports selecting keys and holding multiple keys at once.controllerbuddy.org · 3 Oct 2026
Supported systems: The stated operating-system requirements are Windows 10 or 11 (x64) and Linux (x64 or aarch64).controllerbuddy.org · 3 Oct 2026
Controllers: It supports Xbox Controller, DualShock 4, DualSense, and other controllers supported by SDL_GameControllerDB.controllerbuddy.org · 3 Oct 2026
Game profiles: The site lists community-maintained profiles for numerous simulators and aircraft, including DCS World and Microsoft Flight Simulator versions 2020 and 2024.controllerbuddy.org · 3 Oct 2026
Linux packaging: An official Flatpak package includes profiles and optional helper scripts for Proton games and DOSBox Staging.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
Windows and Linux installation: The install script installs ControllerBuddy on Windows x86-64 and Linux x86-64 or aarch64; on Windows it configures vJoy, while Linux setup uses udev and uinput.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
DCS integration: The FAQ describes an example integration with DCS World and says command-line parameters can help integrate ControllerBuddy with other applications.controllerbuddy.org · 3 Oct 2026
Limit: mode actions: Mode actions cannot be assigned to combinations of multiple buttons or placed inside another mode; they must be assigned at the Default Mode level.controllerbuddy.org · 3 Oct 2026
Limit: combined triggers: The two gamepad triggers cannot be merged into one axis for rudder control.controllerbuddy.org · 3 Oct 2026
Updates: ControllerBuddy uses rolling releases, and the FAQ says backward compatibility is best-effort and not guaranteed.controllerbuddy.org · 3 Oct 2026
Support: The site directs users to GitHub Issues for bug reports and Discord for questions not covered by the FAQ.controllerbuddy.org · 3 Oct 2026
Security and compliance: The pages reviewed do not state security certifications or compliance claims.controllerbuddy.org · 3 Oct 2026