10 Best Stream Deck Alternatives for Mac in 2026 (Free & Paid)

If you're shopping for a Stream Deck in 2026, you have more good options than ever — and most of them are dramatically cheaper than the $149 Elgato hardware. Whether you want a free software solution, a budget hardware clone, or a premium creative console, here are the 10 best Stream Deck alternatives for Mac users this year, ranked by who they're best for.

This list is honest. We make DeckPilot, the #1 pick on the list, but we recommend other tools where they fit better. The goal is to help you pick the right control surface for your specific workflow, not to oversell ours.

Quick comparison

1. DeckPilot — best free Stream Deck alternative for Mac

Type: Native macOS app + iOS / iPadOS client Price: Free, with optional Pro at $7.99/mo Best for: Anyone on Mac who already owns an iPhone or iPad

DeckPilot is a free Stream Deck alternative built natively for macOS. Instead of buying a $149 hardware pad, you use the iPhone or iPad you already own as a wireless control surface. You get unlimited buttons across unlimited pages, automatic app-aware switching (the deck changes when you switch apps on your Mac), and 77+ pre-built template packs for popular apps like Logic Pro, OBS, Discord, Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Zoom, and VS Code.

The pitch in one sentence: It's the closest thing to a free Stream Deck for Mac users, with more buttons, no hardware to buy, and no cables to manage.

Strengths:

• Truly free with unlimited buttons (most "free" alternatives have caps)
• Works wirelessly over Wi-Fi or wired over USB
• Tap-to-pair setup, no IP address configuration
• Auto-switches decks when you change Mac apps
• Native macOS, built for Apple Silicon, polished modern UI
• Virtual Touch Bar with sliders and modules

Weaknesses:

• No plugin marketplace like the Elgato Store (uses template packs instead)
• iOS only on the client side (no Android support)
• No physical tactile feedback (it's a screen, not buttons)

Verdict: If you're on Mac and you have an iPhone or iPad, this should be your starting point. It's free, takes 5 minutes to set up, and you can always buy hardware later if you decide you need it.

Download DeckPilot for Mac →

2. Elgato Stream Deck — the original

Type: Hardware Price: $149 (MK.2, 15 keys), $200 (XL, 32 keys), $200 (+, dials) Best for: Streamers who want physical keys and the plugin ecosystem

The Elgato Stream Deck is the device that defined the category. It's a physical pad of LCD buttons that sits on your desk, plugs into your Mac via USB, and triggers shortcuts, scenes, macros, and plugins. The plugin ecosystem is genuinely impressive — there are official integrations for OBS, Twitch, Spotify, Philips Hue, and hundreds of community plugins.

Strengths:

• Tactile physical buttons with great key feel
• Massive plugin marketplace
• Industry-standard for streamers and broadcasters

Weaknesses:

• $149-$200 price tag
• USB-tethered to your desk
• Limited to 6, 15, or 32 keys depending on model
• Profile switching is mostly manual

Verdict: Buy a Stream Deck if you specifically need the Elgato plugin ecosystem (especially for streaming) and you want physical keys for muscle memory. For everyone else, software alternatives offer more flexibility for less money. See the full DeckPilot vs Stream Deck comparison for details.

3. Loupedeck Live — premium choice for Adobe users

Type: Hardware Price: $179 (Live), $529 (CT), $769 (CT SE) Best for: Photo and video editors deep in the Adobe ecosystem

Loupedeck makes premium creative consoles with physical dials, knobs, and a touchscreen. The standout feature is deep native integration with Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro. The dials map to sliders inside the apps, giving you tactile fine control over exposure, color, and timeline scrubbing.

Strengths:

• Excellent build quality
• Deep native plugin integration with creative apps
• Physical dials for fine adjustment

Weaknesses:

• Expensive ($179-$769)
• USB-tethered
• Overkill if you don't live in Adobe apps
• Updates and new features tied to hardware revisions

Verdict: If you're a full-time photo or video professional who lives in Lightroom, Photoshop, or Premiere all day, the Loupedeck CT is genuinely worth the price. For everyone else, it's overkill. See the full Loupedeck comparison.

4. Touch Portal — best cross-platform option

Type: Software (Windows + Mac + iOS + Android) Price: Free with $14 one-time Pro upgrade Best for: Users on both Windows and Mac who want one app

Touch Portal is the closest direct software competitor to DeckPilot. It turns your phone or tablet into a customizable button pad that can control your computer. The big differentiator is cross-platform support — it runs on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, while DeckPilot is Mac and iOS only.

Strengths:

• Free with affordable $14 one-time Pro upgrade
• Cross-platform: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
• Strong OBS plugin integration

Weaknesses:

• Built for Windows first; Mac feels like a port
• Dated UI compared to modern Mac apps
• Manual profile switching
• No Touch Bar style virtual sliders

Verdict: If you split time between a Windows PC and a Mac, Touch Portal is a strong pick. If you're Mac-only, DeckPilot is the better fit. See the full Touch Portal comparison.

5. Bitfocus Companion — for pro AV operators

Type: Software (free, open source) Price: Free Best for: Broadcast and AV professionals driving Stream Deck hardware

Bitfocus Companion is a free, open-source app that turns Stream Deck hardware into a control surface for professional broadcast and AV equipment. It's not really a Stream Deck alternative — it's a Stream Deck enhancer. If you have Stream Deck hardware and you need to control vMix, OBS, ATEM switchers, lighting boards, or PTZ cameras, Companion is the tool of choice.

Strengths:

• Free and open source
• Massive library of pro AV integrations
• Active community

Weaknesses:

• Requires Stream Deck hardware
• Steep learning curve for non-technical users
• Built for professionals, not casual users

Verdict: If you're running a livestream, broadcast, or live event, Companion is genuinely incredible. For most home users, it's overkill.

6. TourBox Elite — best for photographers

Type: Hardware Price: $99 (Lite), $169 (Neo), $269 (Elite) Best for: Photo and video editors who want a precision physical scroll wheel

TourBox is an ergonomic creative controller with dials, knobs, and unlabeled buttons. It's designed to sit in your non-dominant hand while you edit, giving you tactile control over Lightroom, Photoshop, and Premiere. The Elite model adds Bluetooth.

Strengths:

• Ergonomic one-handed design
• Precision physical dials for fine adjustment
• Bluetooth on the Elite model

Weaknesses:

• Buttons are unlabeled, you have to memorize them
• $99-$269 price tag
• Steep muscle-memory learning curve
• Limited button count (11-14 physical keys)

Verdict: TourBox is loved by photographers who specifically want a tactile scroll wheel and one-handed ergonomics. If you can't memorize 14 unlabeled keys, look at DeckPilot's labeled visual buttons instead. See the full TourBox comparison.

7. Mountain DisplayPad — premium 12-key LCD pad

Type: Hardware Price: $169 Best for: Users who want LCD keys but can't justify Elgato pricing

The Mountain DisplayPad is a 12-key macro pad with customizable LCD buttons. It positions itself as a more affordable Stream Deck competitor with better build quality and a cleaner design. The catch is that 12 keys is a hard limit.

Strengths:

• Premium build quality
• Custom LCD icons on every key
• Mountain Base Camp software is reasonable

Weaknesses:

• Capped at 12 keys
• $169 price tag
• USB-only
• Manual profile switching

Verdict: Decent if you specifically want a 12-key LCD pad and prefer Mountain's design language. Most users will get more flexibility from a software solution. See the full DisplayPad comparison.

8. Mirabox Stream Dock — budget hardware option

Type: Hardware Price: $39 (N3), $69 (293), $99 (293s) Best for: Budget buyers who want physical keys under $100

Mirabox Stream Docks are budget Stream Deck clones with 6 to 15 LCD keys. They're cheaper than Elgato but the software is dated and Mac support feels like an afterthought. The N3 is genuinely cheap at $39 and decent for basic shortcut triggering.

Strengths:

• Cheapest hardware option ($39)
• Physical tactile keys
• Custom LCD icons

Weaknesses:

• Functional but dated software
• Cross-platform ports feel basic on Mac
• USB-only
• Limited to 6-15 keys

Verdict: Buy a Mirabox if you specifically need physical hardware keys under $100 and you don't care about polish. Otherwise the free DeckPilot route is cleaner. See the full Mirabox comparison.

9. Stream Deck Mobile — Elgato's official mobile app

Type: Software (iOS + Android) Price: Free (6 buttons) / $2.99/mo / $49.99 lifetime Best for: Existing Elgato hardware owners who want a phone companion

Elgato makes their own mobile app that acts as a software Stream Deck. It works fine but caps at 64 buttons even on the paid tier, requires manual profile switching, and feels like a companion to the hardware rather than a primary control surface.

Strengths:

• Made by Elgato, integrates with the Stream Deck ecosystem
• Cross-platform iOS + Android

Weaknesses:

• Subscription pricing for what should be a free feature
• Capped at 64 buttons
• Phone interface stretched on iPad
• Manual profile switching

Verdict: Only worth it if you're already deep in the Elgato ecosystem and want a phone companion to your hardware. For Mac users without existing Elgato gear, DeckPilot is free and unlimited. See the full Stream Deck Mobile comparison.

10. BetterTouchTool — for Mac power users

Type: Software (Mac only) Price: $12 (2-year) / $24 (lifetime) Best for: Mac power users who want trackpad gestures and Touch Bar customization

BetterTouchTool isn't really a Stream Deck alternative — it's a Mac customization powerhouse for trackpad gestures, Touch Bar tweaks, and keyboard shortcuts. But many people end up using it for some of the same use cases.

Strengths:

• Deep Mac customization
• Trackpad gesture support
• Real Touch Bar customization
• Excellent value at $12

Weaknesses:

• No mobile control surface
• Steep learning curve
• Customizes your Mac, doesn't add a separate deck

Verdict: Use BetterTouchTool alongside DeckPilot, not instead of it. BTT for gestures and Touch Bar, DeckPilot for a dedicated button deck on your iPhone or iPad. See the full BetterTouchTool comparison.

How to pick the right one

The fastest decision tree:

• You own an iPhone or iPad and want it to be free: DeckPilot
• You want physical tactile keys and have $150 to spend: Elgato Stream Deck
• You're a full-time Adobe creative pro: Loupedeck CT
• You split time between Windows and Mac: Touch Portal
• You're running a broadcast or live event: Bitfocus Companion + Stream Deck hardware
• You need a precision physical scroll wheel for photo editing: TourBox Elite
• You want hardware keys under $100: Mirabox Stream Dock
• You want trackpad gestures, not a separate deck: BetterTouchTool

For most Mac users in 2026, DeckPilot is the right starting point because it costs nothing and uses hardware you already own. If it doesn't work for your workflow, you can always upgrade to hardware later.

The bottom line

Stream Deck alternatives are no longer scarce. The question isn't "Is there an alternative?" — it's "Which one fits my workflow?" If you're on Mac and you have an iPhone or iPad, DeckPilot is free, takes 5 minutes to set up, and gives you unlimited buttons. That's the obvious starting point. If you decide later you need physical hardware or a specific plugin, the rest of this list is here.