Best game controller apps for Mac, compared
Five apps can turn a game controller into a Mac mouse and keyboard, and two of them are free. We make Ottoman, so weigh our column accordingly. Where we have not checked a competitor, the table says so instead of guessing.
| Feature | Ottoman | VibePad | ControllerKeys | InputConfig | Controlly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $29 one time, 14-day trial | Free, MIT, open source | $19.99 once, 14-day trial | Free | $3.99 |
| Remapping | Visual mapper window with presets | Edit a JSON file | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked |
| Dictation | One button holds Right Command for your dictation app | Hold-to-talk, bring your own transcription tool | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked |
| Window tiling | Halves, corners, center, fill, move, resize | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked |
| Touchpad | DualSense touchpad works as a trackpad | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked |
| Updates | In-app update check; free updates for all of 1.x | Last release v1.3 (March 2026), last commit May 2026 | Not checked | Not checked | Not updated in years |
| Notarized | Yes, notarized DMG | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked |
| Support | Email support | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked |
Which one should you pick?
Free and happy to edit a file: use VibePad. It costs nothing, and for some people that settles it. Rather build it yourself? Here is the open-source one.
Free and accessibility first: InputConfig is free too. If it does what you need, keep it.
Want to compare before paying: ControllerKeys is $19.99 once with a 14-day trial, and ours is also 14 days. Try both.
Cheapest of all: Controlly is $3.99, but it has not been updated in years. Check that it runs on your macOS before you pay.
No setup and want it to just work: that is the job Ottoman is built for. You get a mapper you click instead of a file you edit, window tiling, the DualSense touchpad, a notarized app and a person to email.
Where we are weaker: Apple silicon Macs and macOS 15 or later only, Xbox and Switch Pro pads are not yet tested on hardware, dictation still needs a dictation app of your own, and we are young.
Try it on your own Mac
No terminal, no JSON, nothing to build. Download, press a button, done.
14-day free trial, no account. Refund within 14 days, see the terms.
Questions
Is there a free way to use a controller as a Mac mouse?
Yes. VibePad and InputConfig are both free. Paid apps earn their price on polish, support and not having to edit files.
Which app is best for push-to-talk dictation?
VibePad and Ottoman both give you a hold-to-talk button, and both need a separate dictation tool to do the listening. Ottoman only presses the key.
Why does the table say "Not checked"?
We only print what we have confirmed. Open each product's own page for the rest, and tell us if we got something wrong.
Can I try Ottoman before paying?
Yes, free for 14 days with no account. If you pay and change your mind, ask within 14 days for your money back.
Related: PS5 controller as a Mac mouse, Xbox controller on Mac, game controller accessibility.