Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

JoyToKey VS SteerMouse

Compare JoyToKey VS SteerMouse and see what are their differences

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JoyToKey logo JoyToKey

JoyToKey enables users to control the keyboard using any USB compatible controller (Dualshock 3, Xbox 360, etc.)

SteerMouse logo SteerMouse

Advanced driver for USB and Bluetooth mouses.
  • JoyToKey Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-11-18

JoyToKey (or Joy2Key) enables PC game controllers to emulate the keyboard and mouse input, so that windows applications and web games can be controlled with your favorite joysticks! Whenever buttons and sticks are pressed on the controllers, JoyToKey converts them into keyboard strokes and/or mouse movements so that the target application will work as if a real keyboard and a mouse were used.

  • SteerMouse Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-04-10

JoyToKey features and specs

  • Customizability
    JoyToKey allows for a high degree of customization, enabling users to map keyboard and mouse inputs to their game controller based on their personal preferences.
  • Ease of Use
    The software is user-friendly and easy to set up, making it accessible even for beginners who want to utilize their controllers efficiently.
  • Compatibility
    It supports a wide range of controllers and can run on different versions of Windows, ensuring broad usability.
  • Offline Functionality
    JoyToKey can be used without the need for an internet connection, providing flexibility in various situations.
  • Profile Switching
    The program allows users to create multiple profiles for different games or applications and switch between them effortlessly.

Possible disadvantages of JoyToKey

  • Paid Software
    Although there is a free trial, the full version of JoyToKey requires a purchase, which may be a downside for some users.
  • Outdated Interface
    The user interface appears somewhat outdated compared to more modern software, which can be less appealing to new users.
  • Steeper Learning Curve
    While it's generally easy to use, some advanced features may require additional time and effort to master.
  • Lack of Mac Support
    JoyToKey is only available for Windows, which limits its availability to users on other operating systems like macOS.
  • Potential for Compatibility Issues
    Some users may experience issues with certain games or applications not working perfectly with the software, necessitating further troubleshooting.

SteerMouse features and specs

  • Customizability
    SteerMouse allows users to customize the functions of each button on a wide range of mice, offering versatile control options.
  • Precision
    It enables users to fine-tune the cursorโ€™s sensitivity and acceleration, allowing for better control over cursor movement.
  • Multi-device Support
    SteerMouse supports a variety of mouse models from different brands, making it a highly versatile tool for users with different types of mice.
  • Macros
    The software allows users to create and assign macros to mouse buttons, enabling complex actions with a single click.
  • Ease of Use
    The interface is user-friendly, making it easy to set up and configure, even for those who might not be tech-savvy.

Possible disadvantages of SteerMouse

  • Price
    SteerMouse is a paid application, and some users might find it expensive compared to free alternatives.
  • Limited to Mac
    The software is only available for macOS, limiting its user base to those who use Apple computers.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Although it supports a wide range of mice, not all models might be compatible, potentially causing issues for certain users.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, the depth of customization might be overwhelming for new users, leading to a moderate learning curve.
  • System Resources
    Running SteerMouse in the background can consume system resources, potentially affecting performance on less powerful machines.

Analysis of JoyToKey

Overall verdict

  • Yes, JoyToKey is generally considered good. It is reliable and offers robust features for mapping inputs, making it helpful for gamers and users who prefer using controllers for non-game applications. It's particularly appreciated for its user-friendly interface and lightweight installation.

Why this product is good

  • JoyToKey is a popular software that allows users to map keyboard and mouse inputs to a game controller. It is widely used due to its flexibility, ease of use, and support for a wide range of controllers. Many users appreciate its ability to customize and save different configuration profiles for various applications or games, making it a versatile tool for enhancing their gaming or program interaction experience.

Recommended for

  • Gamers who want to use controllers for PC games that do not have built-in controller support.
  • Individuals who prefer using a game controller for regular desktop applications.
  • Users looking for a customizable and flexible input mapping solution across various applications.

Analysis of SteerMouse

Overall verdict

  • SteerMouse is considered a good choice for users who want enhanced control over their mouse settings on macOS. Its robust set of features and regular updates make it a reliable and valuable tool for improving productivity and user experience.

Why this product is good

  • SteerMouse is highly regarded for its powerful customization features that allow users to tailor their mouse settings beyond the limitations of standard drivers. It is particularly praised for its ability to assign different functions to mouse buttons, create custom acceleration curves, and support a wide range of mice, catering to both casual and professional users who require precise control and functionality.

Recommended for

  • Graphic designers and digital artists who need precise control over their mouse movements.
  • Gamers looking for customizable button assignments and sensitivity settings for an improved gaming experience.
  • Users who have multiple or non-standard mice that need specialized settings not offered by default macOS drivers.

JoyToKey videos

How to use any Controller on a PC - JoyToKey Guide/Tutorial

More videos:

  • Review - JoyToKey Review
  • Tutorial - [REVIEW]์ •๋ง ๊ฐ„๋‹จํ•˜๊ฒŒ ์กฐ์ด์Šคํ‹ฑ์œผ๋กœ ๋ฆฌ๋“ฌ๊ฒŒ์ž„ ํ•˜๋Š” ๋ฐฉ๋ฒ•! JoyToKey๋ฅผ ์•Œ๋ ค๋“œ๋ฆฝ๋‹ˆ๋‹ค!(How to Play Rhythm Game with Joystick)

SteerMouse videos

SteerMouse - Mouse Chording on Mac

More videos:

  • Review - Bind Mouse Button to Key Sequence Based on Active App (Mac) - SteerMouse
  • Review - Bind Mouse Buttons to Keyboard Shortcut Based on Active App (Mac) - SteerMouse

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to JoyToKey and SteerMouse)
Gaming
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
Controller Mapping
100 100%
0% 0
Automation
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare JoyToKey and SteerMouse

JoyToKey Reviews

Top 5 REWASD Alternatives in 2021
Overall, JoyToKey is a great tool, and youโ€™re going to like it because of how simple and essential it is. And it serves its purpose of providing free key mapping well. So, getting it is undoubtedly going to be a good decision for you. On the other hand, if youโ€™re looking for advanced editing, perhaps you should choose another one of the tools in this list.
Fantastic Controller Mappers and Where to Find Them
JoyToKey is a fairly good and functional controller mapper with a bit weird interface, and lots of hidden treasures. The hierarchy is the following: you create the profile, then add your joysticks with different configs. You also can change stuff in Button mapping (which Iโ€™ve called a hidden treasure because it took me some time to find that useful section). This gamepad...
Source: www.rewasd.com

SteerMouse Reviews

We have no reviews of SteerMouse yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SteerMouse seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 54 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

JoyToKey mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of JoyToKey yet. Tracking of JoyToKey recommendations started around Mar 2021.

SteerMouse mentions (54)

  • Building the Mouse Logitech Won't Make
    Shout out for SteerMouse! https://plentycom.jp/en/steermouse/ It's a kind of magical mouse driver that supports nearly every USB mouse made, including _all_ the quirky little buttons and extra functions. As the author said, it's ultra-light-weight, native Mac UI (none of that weird chrome slop that companies like Razer insist upon using). I use mine with a funky Razer "MMO" mouse that has a funny numeric keypad on... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Solaar is a Linux manager for many Logitech keyboards, mice, and other devices
    Just switched from logi options to Steer Mouse myself. You can map the buttons and add chords. The only thing it might lack is being able to use mouse movement as a trigger (eg hold the back button and move left to change spaces). Still looking for it https://plentycom.jp/en/steermouse/. - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • An Open Source Mouse and Trackpad Utility for Mac
    Iโ€™m eager to try this out, but you might also want to check out Steermouse[1], which is a utility it took me years longer to discover than it should have. Iโ€™m not sure how it stacks up to this open source project, but itโ€™s definitely been worth the license cost to me over the years. [1] https://plentycom.jp/en/steermouse/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • [Rant] My Search for the One Mouse to rule them all - on Mac
    There are 3rd party apps like Steer Mouse that let you re-assign buttons/shortcuts on a Mac, but I havenโ€™t used them in a long while, so canโ€™t really speak to compatibility. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Tip for mx mouse side buttons
    Will I use steermouse to configure the mouse. But didnโ€™t put any specific configuration for arc. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing JoyToKey and SteerMouse, you can also consider the following products

Xpadder - Xpadder simulates the keyboard and mouse using your gamepad What does Xpadder let you do?

Mac Mouse Fix - A simple way to make your 3rd party mouse better.

DS4Windows - DS4Windows is an open-source gamepad input mapper and virtual emulator designed to use and connect your PlayStation controller (DualShock 3/4 and DualSense 5) to a Windows 10 & 11 PC.

X-Mouse Button Control - XMouse Button Control (XMBC) allows you to create application and window specific profiles.

reWASD - First and only gamepad mapper to make Xbox Elite paddles separate buttons.

Karabiner - Karabiner, previously called KeyRemap4MacBook, is a very powerful keyboard remapper for Mac OS X.