DS4Windows

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Score6.8

Rank#6 of 28

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onWindows

Summary

DS4Windows is a free, open-source Windows application that maps gamepad input and emulates controllers so compatible games can use PlayStation controllers on Windows 10 or 11 PCs. It can present input as an Xbox 360 or DualShock 4 controller. Supported devices include DualShock 3 and 4, DualSense and DualSense Edge, Nintendo Switch Pro controllers, Switch Joy-Con, and some third-party PS4 controllers. Users can remap controls to keyboard, mouse, joystick, touchpad, lightbar, rumble, and motion-sensor inputs. Profiles can change automatically when a different program is in focus. Connection options include Micro USB, Sony Wireless Adapter, and Bluetooth 4.0 with the Microsoft Bluetooth stack. ViGEmBus is required to create virtual controllers; HidHide and FakerInput are optional drivers. The application also includes experimental Moonlight/Sunshine support. It requires Windows 10 or newer, .NET 8.0 Desktop Runtime, Visual C++ Redistributable, and ViGEmBus. Steam's PlayStation and Xbox Configuration Support should be disabled when using DS4Windows.

Who it is for

DS4Windows suits Windows PC users who want to map supported controllers or present them as Xbox 360 or DualShock 4 input. It is also relevant to players who want per-program profiles or keyboard and mouse remapping.

What is good

Free and open-source.
Supports several PlayStation and Switch controllers.
Profiles can switch with the focused program.
Maps inputs to keyboard and mouse.

What to know first

Windows only; requires Windows 10 or newer.
ViGEmBus is required for virtual controllers.
Virtual DS4 controllers have rumble disabled.
DualSense adaptive triggers have limited support.

Verdict

DS4Windows offers flexible remapping and controller emulation for supported Windows setups. Account for its required drivers and Steam configuration instruction, along with the stated limits on rumble and adaptive triggers.

DS4Windows plans and pricing

All plans

Free application Free Windows 10 or newer · .NET 8.0 Desktop Runtime · Visual C++ Redistributable · ViGEmBus driver ds4-windows.com · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on controller mapping software

Free plan: Yesds4-windows.com
Supported platforms: Windowsds4-windows.com
Per-app profiles: Yesds4-windows.com
Profile switching: Yesds4-windows.com
Macro support: Yesds4-windows.com
Keyboard and mouse remap: Yesds4-windows.com
Virtual controller output: Yesds4-windows.com

Facts

Purpose: DS4Windows is an open-source gamepad input mapper and virtual emulator for connecting PlayStation controllers to Windows 10/11 PCs.ds4-windows.com · 30 Sept 2026
Controller emulation: It can emulate Xbox 360 or DualShock 4 controllers so games recognize compatible input.ds4-windows.com · 30 Sept 2026
Supported controllers: Supported devices include DualShock 3/4, DualSense, DualSense Edge, Nintendo Switch Pro, Switch Joy-Con and various third-party PS4 controllers.ds4-windows.com · 30 Sept 2026
Input mapping: Users can remap controller inputs to keyboard, mouse, joystick, touchpad, lightbar, rumble and motion-sensor controls.ds4-windows.com · 30 Sept 2026
Profiles: The application supports profiles that can switch automatically when different programs are in focus.ds4-windows.com · 30 Sept 2026
Connectivity: Supported connection methods include Micro USB, Sony Wireless Adapter and Bluetooth 4.0 using the Microsoft Bluetooth stack.ds4-windows.com · 30 Sept 2026
Required driver: ViGEmBus is required to create virtual Xbox and DualShock 4 controllers.ds4-windows.com · 30 Sept 2026
Optional drivers: HidHide can hide controllers to prevent double input, and FakerInput exposes virtual keyboard and mouse events system-wide.ds4-windows.com · 30 Sept 2026
Integrations: The official build includes experimental Moonlight/Sunshine support that can be enabled in Device Options.ds4-windows.com · 30 Sept 2026
Steam requirement: The site instructs users to disable Steam PlayStation Configuration Support and Xbox Configuration Support when using DS4Windows.ds4-windows.com · 30 Sept 2026
Controller limits: Virtual DS4 controllers have rumble disabled, while DualSense adaptive triggers are supported only in limited forms.ds4-windows.com · 30 Sept 2026
Replica compatibility: Most replica controllers are ignored unless their vendor and product identifiers are already supported in DS4Windows code.ds4-windows.com · 30 Sept 2026
Security and privacy: The privacy policy says the website uses reasonable administrative, technical and physical safeguards but cannot guarantee data transmission security.ds4-windows.com · 30 Sept 2026
Support: The site provides installation, troubleshooting, supported-gamepad documentation and a contact form for direct support.ds4-windows.com · 30 Sept 2026