Software Alternatives & Startups

Macro Deck VS Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX

Compare Macro Deck VS Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX and see what are their differences

Macro Deck

Use smartphone as macropad for pc

Rating
0 reviews
Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX

With Ctrl Deck (V1.7 release) Organize, capture and reopen your Windows workspaces faster with Ctrl Deck: apps, files, folders, URLs, shortcuts, visual groups, Workspaces and Live Spaces in one place.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Freemium Free trial €14.9 / One-off (19)

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Macro Deck seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 9 times since March 2021.

social mentions
9 vs 0
Entertainment popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
33 vs 9

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

MD
Macro Deck
Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX
Website macro-deck.app com-box.fr
Pricing —
Freemium Free trial €14.9 / One-off (19) Official pricing
Platforms —
Windows
Company — Startup from France · 2026
Listed in

About Macro Deck and Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

MD
Macro Deck
Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX

No description of Macro Deck yet.

Ctrl Deck is a Windows productivity tool designed to help users organize, find, open, capture and resume their daily work resources faster. It brings apps, files, folders, URLs, shortcuts, visual groups, Workspaces and Live Spaces into one clear interface, so users can spend less time searching...

Read more about Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

MD
Macro Deck 5 features
Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX 6 features
  • Customizability
    Macro Deck allows users to create and customize their own button layouts and actions, providing a high level of personalization to fit specific user needs and workflows.
  • Cost-effective
    Macro Deck is available for free, making it an attractive option for users who need a powerful macro tool without the expense associated with commercial alternatives.
  • Plugin Support
    The platform supports plugins, enabling the integration of additional features and functionalities that extend the application's capabilities.
  • Cross-platform Compatibility
    Macro Deck can be used on multiple devices including Windows and Android, allowing for flexibility in how users interact with the software.
  • Easy Setup
    The software is relatively simple to set up, making it accessible to users who may not have advanced technical skills.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited iOS Support
    Macro Deck does not currently offer native support for iOS devices, which can be a limitation for users heavily reliant on Apple products.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its ease of use, new users might encounter a learning curve while familiarizing themselves with the wide array of functions and customization options.
  • Reliability
    As with many open-source or free applications, users may experience occasional bugs or stability issues that can affect reliability.
  • Community-driven Development
    The development and support of the software rely heavily on the community, which may result in slower updates and less immediate customer support compared to commercial options.
  • Groups management
    With group management, users can organize apps, files, folders, URLs and shortcuts into clear visual groups, making daily resources easier to find, launch and reuse.
  • Productivity Tools
    Ctrl Deck is a visual productivity panel for Windows that keeps your everyday resources within reach. Open applications, files, folders, URLs, Windows shortcuts and other compatible resources from one clear panel with a single click.
  • Drag-and-Drop Functionality
    Drag and drop in seconds all kinds of files/apps/folders/url to reuse them after
  • App Detection Capability
    Ctrl Deck helps you to record your favorites apps, without looking for ages for the .exe file or the link
  • Workspaces
    Create Workspaces manually, or CAPTURE A WHOLE ENVIRONMENT for recurring projects, clients or routines, so the resources you use together stay organised in one place.
  • Live spaces
    Live Spaces help you capture your current work context before an interruption and return to it later.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

MD
Macro Deck
Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX

No analysis of Macro Deck yet.

Overall verdict

  • Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX appears to be a niche control/deck product from a French company, but there is insufficient verified independent data to fully confirm its quality; based on available positioning it seems suited for users wanting a compact customizable control solution.

Why this product is good

  • Offers a dedicated physical control deck for streamlined workflow management
  • Likely designed with customizable buttons or shortcuts for productivity or streaming tasks
  • Compact form factor suitable for desk setups with limited space
  • Backed by a French company (COM'BOX) potentially offering localized support and service

Recommended for

  • Content creators and streamers looking for quick-access physical controls
  • Professionals wanting to streamline repetitive digital tasks
  • Users seeking a compact, dedicated control device rather than software-only shortcuts
  • French-speaking customers who value local brand support

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

MD
Macro Deck 2 videos + Add
Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX 1 video + Add

Turn your Android phone into an Elgato Stream Deck! - Macro Deck Tutorial

More videos

  • - FREE STREAM DECK ALTERNATIVE for the Elgato Stream Deck! Macro Deck Android App Review 2020

A short video to preview and understand the product concept. A full video is available on the website with explanations et more detailled informations.

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
MD
Macro Deck
Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Macro Deck and Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX's answer:

Ctrl Deck is an independent product at an early stage, so I do not claim large named enterprise customers yet. It is designed for individual professionals, freelancers, creators, designers, developers, marketers, and small teams who work across many applications and resources. The current focus is listening to real user feedback and improving the product around practical day-to-day workflows.

What makes your product unique?

Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX's answer:

Ctrl Deck is not trying to replace the taskbar with another app launcher.

Its distinctive approach is to make a person’s real working environment visible and organized in one place: compatible applications, folders, files, URLs, and everyday resources can be arranged into editable groups that reflect projects, clients, routines, or types of work.

That means users do not have to remember a command, script an action, or search repeatedly through a crowded desktop, taskbar, Start menu, or browser bookmarks.

Workspaces add a reusable layer for planned work setups, while Live Spaces help users return to compatible resources after an interruption. Optional keyboard shortcuts are available for groups, individual items, and Workspaces, but the visual panel remains central.

Ctrl Deck is built for people who switch constantly between many tools and want a faster, clearer way to reach what they actually use—not simply launch one more application.

What's the story behind your product?

Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX's answer:

Ctrl Deck came from a simple daily problem: constantly losing time looking for the right application, folder, file, browser resource, or project tool among too many open windows and shortcuts.

The original idea was not to build another generic launcher. It was to create a visual workspace where frequently used tools and resources could be grouped in a way that matches how people actually work.

COM'BOX is an independent software project, and Ctrl Deck is its first flagship desktop product. The product is being developed through direct feedback around real workflows: crowded desktops, repeated task switching, project-based setups, and the need to resume work quickly after an interruption.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX's answer:

First,i must say that these answers will be for the very soon coming V1.7 version (1 or 2 days max before launch, and much more efficient and complete than 1.6). Ctrl Deck is for people who do not just need to launch an application : they need to reach a real working environment quickly.

Instead of relying only on a crowded taskbar, Start menu, or command search, Ctrl Deck gives users a visual panel where they can organize compatible applications, folders, files, URLs, and everyday resources into editable groups.

It is especially useful when work involves repeatedly switching between tools, projects, clients, documents, and online resources.

The goal is simple: less time searching, more time acting. Optional keyboard shortcuts are available for users who want them, but the visual panel remains the core experience.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX's answer:

Ctrl Deck is built for people who work across many tools every day and want a clearer way to access them.

Its primary audience includes designers, marketers, developers, content creators, freelancers, agency teams, office professionals, and anyone who regularly switches between applications, folders, documents, URLs, and project resources.

It is particularly relevant for users whose Windows taskbar or desktop has become crowded, but who do not want to rely only on keyboard-driven search or scripting.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX's answer:

Ctrl Deck is a native Windows desktop application built with C# and .NET using WPF for the interface.

It relies on Windows-native integrations to organize and relaunch applications, shortcuts, folders and documents from custom Workspaces. Core data such as Workspace configurations and shortcuts is stored locally on the user’s computer.

The application is distributed as a self-contained Windows executable, designed to work directly with the Windows desktop environment rather than through a browser or cloud-first workflow.

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

MD
Macro Deck 9 mentions
Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX 0 mentions
  • Use Surface Pro 4 as Input Switcher
    I've looked at OBS Remote and macrodeck.org, deckboard.app, but these are all for changing scenes on the same device. I'd like something similar to a Crestron switch panel, but on my Surface Pro 4 instead. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Is making the switch from SLOBS to OBS a good idea?
    Also, if you do not have an Elgato Stream Deck, it has way more compatibility with Deckboard and MacroDeck (apps that let you use your phone as a Stream Deck). Source: over 3 years ago
  • Is it possible to use a laptop as a stream deck?
    You can use MacroDeck for that. Works over the network, you'd open it in the browser of your Laptop. Cheers! :). Source: over 3 years ago

View more

Tracking Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX since May 2026.

Alternatives to Macro Deck and Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX

When comparing Macro Deck and Ctrl Deck by COM'BOX, you can also consider the following products.