CYPAD and a physical deck: which one fits
A hardware deck and an on-screen deck solve the same problem in different ways. Here is a straight comparison: price, live keys, portability and real limits.
Two ways to own a deck
A physical deck is a device with keys you press with your fingers. CYPAD is an application for Windows 10 and 11 that draws the deck on your screen and fires actions with a mouse, touch or keyboard shortcuts.
They are not mutually exclusive: if you already own hardware, you can keep using it. CYPAD covers the case of anyone who would rather not buy another device or needs more keys than their desk can hold.
- Hardware: physical keys, tactile response and a one-off purchase per device
- Software: no extra device, sized to your screen
- Both need the PC running to fire an action
Price: a one-time payment either way
CYPAD installs free from the Microsoft Store and the Free plan does not expire: 1 profile and up to 6 active buttons with the basic actions.
Pro costs €9 once, with no subscription, and unlocks up to 12 profiles and 48 buttons per profile, plus routines, sounds, OBS, global hotkeys and mobile control.
A physical deck has its own price, set by the manufacturer and the model. There is no universal figure: it depends on the keys and features of each device. The fair comparison is the one you make with the model you have in mind.
Live keys and state
Both options can show state, but not in the same way. In CYPAD, each key lights up according to what is happening: live, active scene or muted mic.
That state arrives through the official OBS WebSocket plugin. Without OBS connected, the keys still fire actions, but they do not reflect the broadcast.
On a physical deck, the screen or LED of each key depends on the manufacturer and its software. CYPAD has no tactile response: it is a grid on screen, and that is a real limit.
Portability: where the deck travels
CYPAD lives on your PC: it is wherever your screen is. The mobile companion takes it further — enable it in Settings, open the local URL on your phone on the same Wi-Fi and enter a 4-digit PIN. Nothing is installed on the phone.
A physical deck can be plugged into another machine and keeps its keys; in exchange, it takes up desk space and needs a free port.
Your profiles and settings come with you: exporting and importing presets moves the configuration to another PC without starting over.
Limits worth knowing
Neither option wins at everything. These are CYPAD limits, stated plainly.
- Windows 10 and 11 only: there is no macOS or Linux version.
- No touch feedback: there are no physical keys sinking under your fingers.
- It needs OBS with the WebSocket plugin to mirror live state.
- The Free plan stops at 1 profile and 6 active buttons.
- A physical deck depends on its own software and a USB port.
How to decide
Choose hardware if touch comes first, if you work without looking at the screen or if you want to carry the remote to another machine without a monitor.
Choose CYPAD if you do not want another device, if your PC and phone are enough, or if you need plenty of keys — up to 48 per profile on Pro — on the same screen.
You can also combine them: the physical deck for actions already in your fingers and CYPAD for profiles, routines, sounds and keyboard control.
Frequently asked questions
Does CYPAD replace my physical deck?
It does not have to. You can run both: hardware for what you have already configured and CYPAD for what your model does not cover, such as routines, sounds or phone control.
Do CYPAD keys have tactile feedback?
No. They are on-screen keys: you press them with a mouse or a finger on a touch screen, and they do not offer the physical feel of a hardware deck.
Does it offer the same features as a physical deck?
CYPAD covers launching sites and apps, shortcuts, Windows controls, OBS, sounds and routines. Every physical deck has its own feature set and software; we do not assume they are identical.
Can I move my profiles to another PC?
Yes. Export the configuration from the app and import it on the other machine; preset import lives under New.
What does each option cost?
CYPAD Free costs nothing and does not expire: 1 profile and up to 6 active buttons. Pro is €9 once. A physical deck is priced by each manufacturer depending on the model.
Decide without pressure
Download CYPAD free, try it with your own keys and compare without committing.
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