VirtualGamePad
Use an Android phone as an open-source gamepad for Windows or Linux.
Software
9 alternatives listed
Updated 2026-07-03
BT Controller Alternatives
BT Controller turns an Android phone or tablet into a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi controller for emulator and keyboard-control workflows on another Android device.
Quick picks
See the full comparison
Which BT Controller alternative should you choose?
Unified Remote
Use a phone as a universal remote for a desktop computer.
Serverless Bluetooth Gamepad
Use an Android device as a Bluetooth gamepad without receiver software.
Remote Mouse
Control a computer with a phone keyboard, mouse, and touchpad.
Remote Gamepad
Use a phone as a PC gamepad over Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth.
BT Controller is an Android utility that turns one Android device into a controller for another Android device running an emulator or keyboard-compatible game. It can connect over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, supports custom controller layouts, and is aimed at local play rather than physical console control. Alternatives may be useful if you need PC gamepad emulation, iPhone support, a serverless Bluetooth keyboard, a desktop media remote, or a more actively maintained cross-platform option.
What is BT Controller?
BT Controller is a Soft Igloo Android app for using a phone or tablet as an on-screen controller for emulators and Android apps that accept keyboard-style controls. Google Play notes that it does not control physical consoles.
Why compare BT Controller alternatives?
Users may compare alternatives because BT Controller is Android-focused, its official listing was last updated in 2021, and the right replacement depends on whether the target device is another Android device, a Windows PC, Linux computer, media center, or Steam setup.
Pricing and license note
Google Play lists BT Controller as installable with ads. Verify current availability, ads, and any in-app behavior on the official store page before publishing.
Safety, privacy, and data notes
Use official app stores or developer sites only. Avoid APK mirrors unless an editor has a clear reason and has checked file safety, version age, and publisher identity.
Last updated: 2026-07-03
Editorial review notes
Source review records support this guide. Features, pricing, platform support, and availability can still change after publication.
Editorially reviewedHuman-reviewed for legitimate software discovery.
Last reviewedJuly 3, 2026
Sources checkedProvider information reviewed
Ranking methodologyAlternatives are organized by practical fit, platform support, licensing signals, official availability, and safety notes. We do not use paid placement or archived votes as review ratings.
BT Controller alternatives comparison
Compare the product information currently available, then confirm current features, plans, and availability with each provider.
| Tool | Best for | License | Platforms | Pricing note | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serverless Bluetooth Gamepad | Use an Android device as a Bluetooth gamepad without receiver software. | Commercial, Paid | Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, ChromeOS | Google Play listed it as a paid app in the checked region; verify local pricing before publishing. | View guide for Serverless Bluetooth Gamepad |
| Remote Gamepad | Use a phone as a PC gamepad over Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth. | Trial, Freemium | Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, Linux +1 | Official site says a trial is available; continued use requires premium upgrade or watching ads. | Official site for Remote Gamepad |
| DroidJoy | Use an Android phone as an XInput-style gamepad for Windows PC games. | Freemium, Paid | Windows, Android | Official site links both a limited free Lite version and a full version; verify current store availability. | Official site for DroidJoy |
| VirtualGamePad | Use an Android phone as an open-source gamepad for Windows or Linux. | Free, Open Source | Windows, Android, Linux | F-Droid and GitHub describe it as free and open source. | Official site for VirtualGamePad |
| Monect PC Remote | Control a PC from a phone, including gamepad-style layouts. | Freemium | Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android | Google Play lists ads and in-app purchases; App Store lists free with in-app purchases. | Official site for Monect PC Remote |
| Unified Remote | Use a phone as a universal remote for a desktop computer. | Free, Freemium | Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android +1 | Official app-store text says the app and server are free, with extra features via in-app purchases. | Official site for Unified Remote |
| Remote Mouse | Control a computer with a phone keyboard, mouse, and touchpad. | Freemium | Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android +1 | Google Play lists ads and in-app purchases; App Store lists free with in-app purchases. | Official site for Remote Mouse |
| KDE Connect | Use a phone for remote input, file sharing, notifications, and media control. | Free, Open Source, Commercial | Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, Linux | KDE describes KDE Connect as open source and free to use. | Official site for KDE Connect |
| Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse | Use an Android phone as a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, or custom remote. | Freemium | Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, ChromeOS +1 | Google Play lists in-app purchases; the official site separates free and Pro features. | Official site for Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse |
Serverless Bluetooth Gamepad
- Best for
- Use an Android device as a Bluetooth gamepad without receiver software.
- License
- Commercial, Paid
- Platforms
- Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, ChromeOS
- Pricing note
- Google Play listed it as a paid app in the checked region; verify local pricing before publishing.
Remote Gamepad
- Best for
- Use a phone as a PC gamepad over Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth.
- License
- Trial, Freemium
- Platforms
- Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, Linux +1
- Pricing note
- Official site says a trial is available; continued use requires premium upgrade or watching ads.
DroidJoy
- Best for
- Use an Android phone as an XInput-style gamepad for Windows PC games.
- License
- Freemium, Paid
- Platforms
- Windows, Android
- Pricing note
- Official site links both a limited free Lite version and a full version; verify current store availability.
VirtualGamePad
- Best for
- Use an Android phone as an open-source gamepad for Windows or Linux.
- License
- Free, Open Source
- Platforms
- Windows, Android, Linux
- Pricing note
- F-Droid and GitHub describe it as free and open source.
Monect PC Remote
- Best for
- Control a PC from a phone, including gamepad-style layouts.
- License
- Freemium
- Platforms
- Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android
- Pricing note
- Google Play lists ads and in-app purchases; App Store lists free with in-app purchases.
Unified Remote
- Best for
- Use a phone as a universal remote for a desktop computer.
- License
- Free, Freemium
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android +1
- Pricing note
- Official app-store text says the app and server are free, with extra features via in-app purchases.
Remote Mouse
- Best for
- Control a computer with a phone keyboard, mouse, and touchpad.
- License
- Freemium
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android +1
- Pricing note
- Google Play lists ads and in-app purchases; App Store lists free with in-app purchases.
KDE Connect
- Best for
- Use a phone for remote input, file sharing, notifications, and media control.
- License
- Free, Open Source, Commercial
- Platforms
- Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, Linux
- Pricing note
- KDE describes KDE Connect as open source and free to use.
Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse
- Best for
- Use an Android phone as a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, or custom remote.
- License
- Freemium
- Platforms
- Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, ChromeOS +1
- Pricing note
- Google Play lists in-app purchases; the official site separates free and Pro features.
Free vs paid BT Controller alternatives
Options carrying a Free, Freemium, or Open Source label on this page include Remote Gamepad, DroidJoy, VirtualGamePad, Monect PC Remote, Unified Remote. Free access, usage limits, commercial-use terms, and paid features can change, so confirm current details with each provider.
Alternatives to BT Controller
List position 1
Best for: Use an Android device as a Bluetooth gamepad without receiver software.
Serverless Bluetooth Gamepad from Appground IO turns an Android device into a Bluetooth gamepad for another Bluetooth-capable device without installing receiver software. Its Play listing says it can work with Android, iOS and iPadOS, Windows, and Chrome OS receivers, making it useful when a simple Bluetooth gamepad profile is preferable to a desktop server.
CommercialPaid
WindowsiOSiPadOSAndroidChromeOS
Pricing: Google Play listed it as a paid app in the checked region; verify local pricing before publishing.
List position 2
Remote Gamepad
Best for: Use a phone as a PC gamepad over Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth.
Remote Gamepad is a phone-as-gamepad app for PC gaming. It supports Windows 10/11 and Linux as target systems, Android and iOS mobile apps, on-screen controls, custom layouts, and Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth connection options. It is a closer fit for users who want a real PC game controller workflow rather than Android emulator keyboard mapping.
TrialFreemium
WindowsiOSiPadOSAndroidLinux
Pricing: Official site says a trial is available; continued use requires premium upgrade or watching ads.
List position 3
DroidJoy
Best for: Use an Android phone as an XInput-style gamepad for Windows PC games.
DroidJoy turns an Android phone into a virtual gamepad for Windows PCs. The official site describes real gamepad emulation, XInput support, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection, configurable layouts, and support for multiple clients. It is better suited to PC games than Android-to-Android emulator control.
FreemiumPaid
WindowsAndroid
Pricing: Official site links both a limited free Lite version and a full version; verify current store availability.
List position 4
VirtualGamePad
Best for: Use an Android phone as an open-source gamepad for Windows or Linux.
VirtualGamePad is a free and open-source option for using an Android phone as a gamepad for Windows and Linux PCs. F-Droid describes it as a no-ads, no-tracking alternative that connects over Wi-Fi and requires a server on the computer. It is a good candidate for users who prefer inspectable code and open-source distribution.
FreeOpen Source
WindowsAndroidLinux
Pricing: F-Droid and GitHub describe it as free and open source.
List position 5
Monect PC Remote
Best for: Control a PC from a phone, including gamepad-style layouts.
Monect PC Remote is a broader phone-to-PC control app with custom gaming layouts, mouse and keyboard control, file transfer, screen sharing, virtual camera features, and multiple connection options including local Wi-Fi, remote Wi-Fi, USB tethering, hotspot, and Bluetooth. It is broader than BT Controller and focused on PCs.
Freemium
WindowsiOSiPadOSAndroid
Pricing: Google Play lists ads and in-app purchases; App Store lists free with in-app purchases.
List position 6
Unified Remote
Best for: Use a phone as a universal remote for a desktop computer.
Unified Remote turns a phone into a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth remote for Windows, macOS, and Linux computers. It is strongest for mouse, keyboard, media, presentation, power, screen, and app-specific remote controls rather than dedicated gamepad emulation. It can fit users who mainly need remote input from a couch or media setup.
FreeFreemium
WindowsmacOSiOSiPadOSAndroid
Pricing: Official app-store text says the app and server are free, with extra features via in-app purchases.
List position 7
Remote Mouse
Best for: Control a computer with a phone keyboard, mouse, and touchpad.
Remote Mouse turns a phone or tablet into a wireless mouse, keyboard, and trackpad for a computer. It supports Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows, macOS, and Linux with a desktop helper. It is not a direct gamepad replacement, but it is useful for users who compare BT Controller because they mainly need remote input.
Freemium
WindowsmacOSiOSiPadOSAndroid
Pricing: Google Play lists ads and in-app purchases; App Store lists free with in-app purchases.
List position 8
KDE Connect
Best for: Use a phone for remote input, file sharing, notifications, and media control.
KDE Connect is a free open-source device-integration tool for sharing files, syncing notifications, using a phone as a virtual touchpad, controlling media, and sending remote commands. It is not a gamepad emulator, but it is a safe, transparent alternative for users who want remote input and device control without a commercial remote app.
FreeOpen SourceCommercial
WindowsiOSiPadOSAndroidLinux
Pricing: KDE describes KDE Connect as open source and free to use.
List position 9
Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse
Best for: Use an Android phone as a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, or custom remote.
Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse by Appground IO turns an Android phone into a serverless Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, touchpad, presentation tool, and custom-layout remote. It is not primarily a gamepad app, but its custom layouts and no-server Bluetooth approach can help users who need remote controls for apps, media centers, or simple games.
Freemium
WindowsiOSiPadOSAndroidChromeOS
Pricing: Google Play lists in-app purchases; the official site separates free and Pro features.
BT Controller alternatives FAQ
What is the best BT Controller alternative?
The best option depends on your workflow, platform, budget, and required features. Options currently listed include Serverless Bluetooth Gamepad, Remote Gamepad, DroidJoy.
Are there free BT Controller alternatives?
Yes. Free, freemium, or open-source options in this list include Remote Gamepad, DroidJoy, VirtualGamePad, Monect PC Remote, Unified Remote.
Which platforms are covered?
The alternatives in this list include options for Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android, Linux, ChromeOS, Android TV, depending on each product.
How are alternatives ranked?
When reliable community signals are not available, the list should be read as a comparison set rather than a definitive ranking. Compare platform support, licensing, product details, and official provider information.
Alternative.tips is an independent alternatives directory. Product names, logos, pricing, features, and availability belong to their respective owners. Check the linked provider before downloading, subscribing, or purchasing.