Pros of ScpToolkit

• Supports a wider range of controllers, including PS3 controllers
• Offers more advanced customization options for button mapping
• Provides a user-friendly GUI for configuration

Cons of ScpToolkit

• Less frequently updated compared to DS4Windows
• May require additional setup steps for some controllers
• Discontinued project with limited community support

Code Comparison

DS4Windows:

public class DS4Device
{
    public DS4State CurrentState;
    public DS4State PreviousState;
    public DS4State OutputState;
}

ScpToolkit:

public class ScpDevice : IDisposable
{
    public DsState PacketCounter { get; set; }
    public DsConnection Connection { get; set; }
    public DsBattery Battery { get; set; }
}

Both projects use C# for their core functionality, but DS4Windows focuses specifically on DS4 controllers, while ScpToolkit supports a broader range of devices. DS4Windows' code structure appears more streamlined for DS4-specific features, while ScpToolkit's code accommodates various controller types.

DS4Windows is actively maintained and receives regular updates, making it a more reliable choice for users primarily interested in DS4 controller support. ScpToolkit offers broader compatibility but lacks recent updates and ongoing development.

Pros of ViGEmBus

• Lower-level driver implementation, providing broader compatibility with various input devices
• Can be used as a foundation for other input device emulation projects
• Offers more granular control over virtual device creation and management

Cons of ViGEmBus

• Requires more technical knowledge to implement and use effectively
• Less user-friendly for end-users compared to DS4Windows' plug-and-play approach
• May require additional software or scripts to achieve full functionality

Code Comparison

ViGEmBus (C):

NTSTATUS
Bus_EvtDeviceAdd(
    _In_ WDFDRIVER Driver,
    _Inout_ PWDFDEVICE_INIT DeviceInit
)
{
    // Device initialization code
}

DS4Windows (C#):

public class DS4Device
{
    public bool IsConnected { get; private set; }
    public void Connect()
    {
        // Connection logic
    }
}

ViGEmBus focuses on low-level driver implementation, while DS4Windows provides a higher-level, user-friendly interface for DualShock 4 controller support. ViGEmBus offers more flexibility but requires more technical expertise, whereas DS4Windows is easier to use but may have limitations in device compatibility.

Pros of DS4Windows (Jays2Kings)

• Original project with longer history and established user base
• May have some legacy features not present in newer forks
• Potentially more stable due to longer development time

Cons of DS4Windows (Jays2Kings)

• No longer actively maintained or updated
• May lack support for newer hardware or Windows versions
• Fewer bug fixes and improvements compared to active forks

Code Comparison

DS4Windows (Jays2Kings):

public static void Stop(bool showNotification = true)
{
    if (running)
    {
        running = false;
        DS4Device.StopAll();
        if (showNotification)
            ShowNotification(Properties.Resources.StoppedText, Properties.Resources.StoppedTitle);
    }
}

DS4Windows (Ryochan7):

public static void Stop(bool showNotification = true)
{
    if (running)
    {
        running = false;
        DS4Device.StopAll();
        if (showNotification)
            ShowNotification(Properties.Resources.StoppedText, Properties.Resources.StoppedTitle);
        LogManager.Logger.Info("Stopped");
    }
}

The main difference in the code snippet is the addition of a logging statement in Ryochan7's version, which improves debugging and troubleshooting capabilities.

Pros of AntiMicro

• Supports a wider range of input devices, including keyboards and mice
• More versatile for general input remapping across various applications
• Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, Linux, macOS)

Cons of AntiMicro

• Less specialized for PlayStation controllers compared to DS4Windows
• May require more manual configuration for complex mappings
• Lacks some advanced features specific to DualShock/DualSense controllers

Code Comparison

DS4Windows (C#):

public class DS4Device
{
    public DS4State CurrentState;
    public DS4State PreviousState;
    // ... other properties and methods
}

AntiMicro (C++):

class JoyButton : public JoyControlStick
{
    Q_OBJECT
public:
    explicit JoyButton(int index, int originset, SetJoystick *parentSet, QObject *parent=0);
    // ... other methods
};

The code snippets show that DS4Windows is specifically designed for DualShock controllers, while AntiMicro has a more generic approach to input devices. DS4Windows uses a dedicated DS4State class, whereas AntiMicro employs a more general JoyButton class that inherits from JoyControlStick.