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Xpadder VS SDL2 Gamepad Tool

Compare Xpadder VS SDL2 Gamepad Tool and see what are their differences

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Xpadder logo Xpadder

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

SDL2 Gamepad Tool logo SDL2 Gamepad Tool

It's a simple GUI tool to create/modify gamepad mappings for games that use SDL2 Game Controller API. Created to be an alternative to Steam Bigpicture gamepad configurator.
  • Xpadder Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-16
  • SDL2 Gamepad Tool Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-01-19

Xpadder features and specs

  • Customizable Controls
    Xpadder allows users to map keyboard and mouse functions to game controllers, providing a high level of customization for different games and applications.
  • Compatibility
    The software supports a wide range of game controllers and works with almost any game or application, even those that don't offer native controller support.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Xpadder features an intuitive and straightforward UI, making it easy for users to set up and configure their game controllers.
  • Offline Functionality
    Xpadder does not require an internet connection to function, which can be beneficial for users with limited or no internet access.
  • Frequent Updates
    The software receives regular updates to improve performance and add new features, keeping it up-to-date with modern gaming requirements.

Possible disadvantages of Xpadder

  • Paid Software
    Xpadder is not free; users need to purchase a license to use the software, which may be a deterrent for some.
  • Initial Setup Complexity
    While the interface is user-friendly, the initial setup can be somewhat complex for beginners, requiring time and patience to configure fully.
  • Limited OS Support
    Xpadder is primarily designed for Windows, and does not natively support macOS or Linux, limiting its user base.
  • No Built-in Profiles
    The software does not come with pre-configured profiles for popular games, requiring users to create their own mappings from scratch.
  • Variable Performance
    Performance may vary depending on system configuration and controller compatibility, potentially leading to inconsistent experiences for some users.

SDL2 Gamepad Tool features and specs

  • Cross-platform support
    The SDL2 Gamepad Tool is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, which makes it versatile for developers and gamers working across different platforms.
  • Ease of use
    The tool features a user-friendly interface, allowing users to map and remap gamepad buttons easily without needing extensive technical knowledge.
  • Open-source integration
    Being based on the SDL2 library, it integrates well with open-source projects and benefits from community support and contributions.
  • Wide support for devices
    SDL2 Gamepad Tool supports a wide range of game controllers and provides a standardized method to interact with them, improving compatibility across different games.

Possible disadvantages of SDL2 Gamepad Tool

  • Limited advanced features
    While suitable for basic gamepad mapping, the tool lacks more advanced controller configuration features found in some other specialized tools.
  • Manual configuration required
    Users may need to manually configure certain settings or profiles for unique or less common gamepads, which can be time-consuming.
  • Potential compatibility issues
    In some cases, users might encounter compatibility issues with specific games or newer gamepad models that are not fully supported.
  • Performance overhead
    Running an additional application to configure the gamepad might introduce minor performance overhead, which could be relevant for users running resource-intensive games.

Analysis of Xpadder

Overall verdict

  • Xpadder is generally considered good, especially for those who need a simple yet powerful tool for adapting their controllers to games lacking native support. Its robust feature set and reliable performance make it a favorable choice for gamers who prefer or require controller use for all of their PC games.

Why this product is good

  • Xpadder is a utility that allows users to map keyboard keys and mouse actions to gamepad buttons. It's often praised for its ease of use, flexibility, and ability to customize controls for a wide variety of games, particularly those that do not natively support gamepads. The software is lightweight and runs smoothly on most systems without consuming much in the way of resources. Users appreciate its ability to enhance gameplay by offering a more ergonomic control scheme, particularly in older or niche titles.

Recommended for

    Xpadder is best recommended for gamers who want to use a gamepad with their PC games, particularly those games that lack built-in controller support. It's also suitable for users who enjoy customizing their control schemes to optimize their gaming experience or who frequently switch between different game genres that may benefit from unique control layouts.

Xpadder videos

+ Add

Xpadder Tutorial - Setup / How To Beginner's Guide - Controller Mapping

More videos:

  • Review - xpadder review/for free
  • Review - Xpadder 5.7 review

SDL2 Gamepad Tool videos

No SDL2 Gamepad Tool videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Xpadder and SDL2 Gamepad Tool)

Xpadder

SDL2 Gamepad Tool

Gaming
78 78%
Gaming
22% 22
Controller Mapping
76 76%
Controller Mapping
24% 24
Gaming Tools
83 83%
Gaming Tools
17% 17
Gaming Software
100 100%
Gaming Software
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Xpadder and SDL2 Gamepad Tool

Xpadder Reviews

Top 5 REWASD Alternatives in 2021
Let’s start by talking about the easiest and one of the oldest keymapping solutions in the market, Xpadder. Xpadder allows you to take your gaming to the next level by simply mapping your keyboard and mouse as well as gamepad controls to the device of your choice.
Source: keyboardkings.com
Fantastic Controller Mappers and Where to Find Them
The significant ability of Xpadder is to support almost any controller device: this controller mapper allows you to add each button or analog element that your controller has one-by-one. As a result, you literally build a unique scheme. Once the controller is plugged in, Xpadder asks you to move analog controls to add them to the controller scheme and tune the deadzone. The...
Source: www.rewasd.com

SDL2 Gamepad Tool Reviews

We have no reviews of SDL2 Gamepad Tool yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Xpadder might be a bit more popular than SDL2 Gamepad Tool. We know about 14 links to it since March 2021 and only 10 links to SDL2 Gamepad Tool. 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.

Xpadder mentions (14)

  • free alternative to reWASD
    It mentions some alternatives, though, such as Input Mapper and Xpadder. If your games are on Steam, you could try Steam's controller config thing. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Pinball FX Guide - A Start
    Did you download it from an e-mail sent to you from xpadder.com? The version I'm using is 2022.05.01. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Picked Up a Pair of MyMyBox MXMT6's This Weekend!
    You might be able to use JoyToKey (free) or xpadder ($10) to at least verify different inputs are recognized per button. Source: about 2 years ago
  • My take on a DDR soft pad mod in 2022
    To remedy, I've been using this little app found from another thread. I keep this app open while running stepmania and it remap button presses solving the problem. It seems to poll quickly enough for my needs! https://www.mediafire.com/?asju7uk8shr81co Or there's xPadder - https://xpadder.com/ ($9.99) as a more rounded software solution as well. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Help with remapping a controller analog stick to the arrow keys.
    If it doesn't work out, I'd personally just get Xpadder. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

SDL2 Gamepad Tool mentions (10)

  • Controller not supported on Athersx2
    Ah! If you have used your controller on your Mac to play PS1, then I think you'll absolutely be able to use it on AetherSX2! Here's what you do -- grab this app: https://generalarcade.com/gamepadtool/ If it detects your controller, then select it from the drop-down menu, then Create New Mapping and press the corresponding buttons when they're highlighted (if your controller doesn't have a certain button, just skip... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Controller support on macOS?
    What do you currently have? If it gets recognized by the SDL2 Gamepad Tool, it IS possible to get it to be recognized on Ryujinx. I just left my hack-y solution over here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Ryujinx/comments/zcap6c/comment/iz8eyey/?utm\_source=reddit&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3. Source: over 2 years ago
  • MacOS Controllers Not Working
    Hey, I just successfully added my Wii Classic Controller through DolphinBar to Ryujinx! I bet this technique would work for your controller, too. I figured since my controller was functional with the SDL2 Gamepad Tool, it'd work in Ryujinx... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Have some questions about mac gaming!
    Just find out if your game has an offline mode, some games do not, its best to download and play it in airplane mode to see if you have issues. Also you can easily use a PS4 controller, if you have issues with game mapping I suggest using SDL2 Gamepad Tool (https://generalarcade.com/gamepadtool/) to help. I use it whenever I am using my PS5 controller. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Controller Calibration not working (MacOS)
    I had the same issue, until I tried remapping via - https://generalarcade.com/gamepadtool/. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Xpadder and SDL2 Gamepad Tool, you can also consider the following products

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.

Joystick Mapper - Joystick Mapper, An app for Mac OS X that allows you to use gamepads in any app or game

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

Gamepad Test - Now you can test one or more controllers for malfunctioning or failures via this online gamepad controller test and monitor their performance.

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

AntimicroX - AntiMicroX is a program used to map keyboard and mouse actions to gamepad/joystick buttons. It is useful for playing games with poor or no gamepad support. It is a new fork of discontinued AntiMicro

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