The short version
- PADCRAFT and Gamepad Viewer run from a browser link; Input Overlay is an OBS plugin and Open Joystick Display is a desktop app.
- They differ mostly on setup, compatibility and customization, not just appearance.
- Pick on setup time vs control: the fastest options give you the least say over how it looks.
- Try more than one. They take two minutes each, and the right answer depends on your layout.
Best controller overlay tool by use case
Best for a custom OBS-ready design: PADCRAFT — edit visually, then paste one transparent link into your scene.
Best no-account browser viewer: Gamepad Viewer — useful when you want a basic free display with minimal setup.
Best native OBS option: Input Overlay — a better fit if you prefer an installed OBS source and config-based presets.
Best standalone desktop display: Open Joystick Display — useful outside OBS, but it needs an app install and capture source.
How we compared them
Setup: can you get it running without installing software or writing config files?
Customization: can you change colors/design and see it live, without editing code?
Transparent background: does it work as a clean Browser Source out of the box?
Compatibility: does it work beyond OBS, and does it require a plugin or desktop app?
Price: what's free, and what you'd pay for more than the basics.
The ranking
PADCRAFT
Our pickPADCRAFT is a free, browser-based configurator: plug in your controller, customize colors and design live, and copy a ready-to-paste link with a transparent background baked in — no code, no install. It also has a marketplace of custom-designed skins made by other streamers if you want something beyond a base color scheme, which the other free tools below don't offer.
Strengths
- Live visual configurator, no code
- Transparent background by default
- Community-made skins in the shop
- Free base configurator
Trade-offs
- Newer tool, smaller track record than long-running free viewers
- Premium skins are a paid add-on
Gamepad Viewer (gamepadviewer.com)
Gamepad Viewer is a long-running browser-based viewer. It works as a Browser Source, needs no account and uses URL options for its layout and styling.
Strengths
- Free, no account needed
- Long track record, well known in OBS forums
Trade-offs
- Customization is done through URL parameters, not a live visual editor
- Less visual control than a full live configurator
Input Overlay (OBS plugin)
Input Overlay is an OBS Studio plugin by univrsal. It displays keyboard, mouse and gamepad inputs through texture and config files — a solid option if you specifically want a native OBS source.
Strengths
- Runs natively inside OBS, no browser source
- Open source with configurable presets
Trade-offs
- Requires installing a plugin — OBS only, won't help with Streamlabs or TikTok LIVE Studio
- Styling is config-file based, not a live visual editor
Open Joystick Display
Open Joystick Display is a free, open-source desktop app for displaying joystick and gamepad input. It suits streamers who want a standalone window rather than a browser tool or OBS plugin.
Strengths
- Free and open source
- Works outside OBS too (recording, testing)
Trade-offs
- Requires a separate desktop install
- You then still need to capture its window as a source in your streaming software
Side-by-side
| Setup | Visual editor | Stream software | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PADCRAFT | Browser link, no install | Yes | OBS, Streamlabs, web sources | Free to design; link plans available |
| Gamepad Viewer | Browser link, no install | No (URL options) | Software with Browser Source | Free |
| Input Overlay | OBS plugin install | Preset/config editor | OBS Studio | Free |
| Open Joystick Display | Desktop app install | Limited | Captured app window | Free |
Which one should you actually pick?
- Want the fastest setup with a design you can actually customize? Start with PADCRAFT.
- Just want the most no-frills, zero-signup free option? Gamepad Viewer is a reasonable pick.
- Live only in OBS and prefer a native plugin over a browser source? Input Overlay.
- Want a standalone desktop app you can also use for testing controllers? Open Joystick Display.
For a full walkthrough of adding any of these to OBS, Streamlabs or TikTok LIVE Studio, see our step-by-step setup guide.