ControllerBuddy

6.9easy start · #7 of 28
in Controller Mapping Software

Free to practise onyes
Free trialnot on record
Well documentedyes
Runs where you worknot on record

Runs on Linux, Windows.

ControllerBuddy is ranked #7 of 28 in controller mapping software on The Geeks Club. It runs on Linux, Windows. There is a free plan.

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: Yes
Supported platforms: Windows, Linux
Per-app profiles: Yes
Profile switching: Yes
Keyboard and mouse remap: Yes
Virtual controller output: Yes

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The record

Purpose: ControllerBuddy maps gamepad inputs for flight simulators, aiming to let users fly without a joystick, keyboard, or mouse.
Input mapping: Profiles can map gamepad inputs to keyboard and mouse actions or a virtual joystick device.
Modes and overlay: Profiles support modes for assigning different functions to controls, and an overlay can show the active mode and virtual-axis states.
On-screen keyboard: A gamepad-controlled on-screen keyboard supports selecting keys and holding multiple keys at once.
Supported systems: The stated operating-system requirements are Windows 10 or 11 (x64) and Linux (x64 or aarch64).
Controllers: It supports Xbox Controller, DualShock 4, DualSense, and other controllers supported by SDL_GameControllerDB.
Game profiles: The site lists community-maintained profiles for numerous simulators and aircraft, including DCS World and Microsoft Flight Simulator versions 2020 and 2024.
Linux packaging: An official Flatpak package includes profiles and optional helper scripts for Proton games and DOSBox Staging.
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.
DCS integration: The FAQ describes an example integration with DCS World and says command-line parameters can help integrate ControllerBuddy with other applications.
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.
Limit: combined triggers: The two gamepad triggers cannot be merged into one axis for rudder control.
Updates: ControllerBuddy uses rolling releases, and the FAQ says backward compatibility is best-effort and not guaranteed.
Support: The site directs users to GitHub Issues for bug reports and Discord for questions not covered by the FAQ.
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on The Geeks Club

Best Controller Mapping Software in 2026#7 of 28
Best Game Controller Mapper Software in 2026#9 of 27

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Sources

controllerbuddy.org· checked 3 Oct 2026
github.com/bwRavencl/ControllerBuddy-Flatpak· checked 3 Oct 2026
github.com/bwRavencl/ControllerBuddy-Install-Scrip· checked 3 Oct 2026