DeckPilot vs BetterTouchTool

A better alternative to BetterTouchTool

BetterTouchTool is a powerful Mac customization tool for trackpad gestures, Touch Bar, and keyboard shortcuts. Deep but complex.

BetterTouchTool 2-Year ($12)BetterTouchTool Lifetime ($24)

Quick Answer

DeckPilot and BetterTouchTool solve different problems. DeckPilot turns your iPhone or iPad into a separate physical control surface for your Mac. BetterTouchTool customizes your Mac's built-in trackpad gestures, Touch Bar, and keyboard shortcuts. Many power users run both: BTT for gestures, DeckPilot for a dedicated button deck.

By The DeckPilot Team•Last updated April 9, 2026

Feature-by-feature comparison

Feature

BetterTouchTool

DeckPilot

Price

$12–$24

Free*

Mobile Control

iPhone + iPad

Touch Bar (Real)

Yes — Deep Customization

Virtual on iOS

Trackpad Gestures

Extensive

Visual Button Editor

Minimal

Full Grid Designer

Learning Curve

Steep

Tap & Go

App-Aware Switching

App-specific Configs

Automatic

Secondary Screen

Yes — Full Device

Window Snapping

Yes

Via Shortcuts

Plugin System

Presets / Community

Templates

Swipe Gestures

Trackpad Only

On-Device + Trackpad-Style

Multi-App Launch

Via Scripts

One tap, many apps

MIDI Controls

Faders, knobs, XY pads

DeckPilot wins 7 of 13 features · BetterTouchTool wins 3

* Free tier available forever. Pro from $39/year.

Why choose DeckPilot over BetterTouchTool

Dedicated Control Surface

BTT lives inside your Mac. DeckPilot gives you a separate physical screen for controls — eyes on Mac, hands on deck.

Visual Grid Editor

Drag-and-drop button grid with icons and colors. BTT's UI is powerful but notoriously complex.

Zero Learning Curve

Tap your Mac, approve, and start controlling. No documentation deep-dives required.

iPad as Control Surface

Use your iPad's large screen as a full control deck. BTT has no mobile companion at all.

See DeckPilot in action

Pick a template. Tap the buttons. This is exactly what DeckPilot looks and feels like on your devices.

BetterTouchTool vs DeckPilot — FAQ

Common questions about choosing between BetterTouchTool and DeckPilot.

Should I use DeckPilot or BetterTouchTool?

They are complementary, not direct alternatives. Use BetterTouchTool for trackpad gestures, Touch Bar customization, and window management on your Mac itself. Use DeckPilot when you want a dedicated physical control surface (your iPhone or iPad) with labeled buttons for triggering shortcuts.

Can DeckPilot do everything BetterTouchTool does?

No. BTT has trackpad gestures, real Touch Bar customization, and deep window snapping that DeckPilot does not. DeckPilot focuses on giving you a separate visual button deck on your iPhone or iPad with auto app switching.

Is DeckPilot easier to set up than BetterTouchTool?

Yes. DeckPilot has a tap-to-pair setup and 77+ pre-built template packs. BTT has a famously steep learning curve with deep but complex configuration menus.

Is DeckPilot free like BetterTouchTool is paid?

DeckPilot is free, with an optional $7.99/mo Pro tier. BetterTouchTool is $12 for a 2-year license or $24 for a lifetime license.

Can I use DeckPilot to control BetterTouchTool actions?

Yes. DeckPilot can trigger any keyboard shortcut, including ones bound to BetterTouchTool actions. Many users put their BTT shortcuts onto a DeckPilot button.