For streamers, content creators, and productivity enthusiasts, a macro pad like the Stream Deck has become an indispensable tool for automating complex tasks. These devices put powerful shortcuts and multi-step actions at your fingertips, saving time and streamlining your workflow during a live broadcast, video edit, or a busy workday. While Elgato’s Stream Deck is a market leader, a vibrant ecosystem of alternatives offers a range of features, form factors, and price points to suit different needs and budgets.
Whether you’re looking for a straightforward button box, a console with tactile dials, or even a hands-free pedal controller, there is a perfect device waiting to boost your efficiency. This roundup explores nine of the best options available, highlighting their unique capabilities to help you find the ideal tool to automate your tasks and enhance your creative or professional process without being tethered to a single brand.
Top Alternatives to Stream Deck for Automating Your Workflow
- SOOMFON Stream Controller with 15 LCD Macro Keys
- Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 – Studio Controller
- Elgato Stream Deck +, Audio Mixer and Production Console
- Elgato Stream Deck Neo – 8 Customizable Keys
- SOOMFON Stream Control Deck with 15 LCD Keys
- Elgato Stream Deck Pedal – Hands-Free Studio Controller
- Loupedeck Live – Custom Console for Live Streaming
- X-keys Programmable Keypads and Keyboards (24 Key)
- Elgato Stream Deck XL
SOOMFON Stream Controller with 15 LCD Macro Keys
This SOOMFON Stream Controller provides a high level of customization with its 15 LCD keys. Each key features a small screen that can be personalized with your own images or icons, making it simple to identify and trigger your most-used actions. This visual feedback is crucial for maintaining a smooth workflow during a live stream or an intense editing session.
The device offers wide compatibility with both PC and Mac, supporting popular software like OBS Studio, Twitch, YouTube, and Spotify. With one-touch operation, you can execute complex macros, adjust audio levels, mute your microphone, or launch social media posts without ever needing to switch windows. It’s a versatile tool designed to meet the demands of content creators and power users alike.
Elgato Stream Deck MK.2
The Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 is a refined version of the popular original, featuring 15 customizable LCD keys that provide instant control over your apps and tools. Its robust construction and reliable performance have made it a go-to choice for many professionals. The keys offer clear visual feedback, confirming that your commands, from switching scenes to posting a tweet, have been executed successfully.
This model is built for one-touch operation, allowing you to trigger single actions or intricate multi-actions with a single press. Its deep integration with a vast library of plugins for software like OBS, Twitch, and Philips Hue makes it incredibly powerful. For those seeking a proven and widely supported macro deck, the MK.2 remains a top-tier option.
Elgato Stream Deck +
The Elgato Stream Deck + expands upon the classic button layout by adding four tactile dials and a touch strip, effectively combining a macro pad with an audio mixer and production console. The dials are perfect for making fine adjustments to audio levels, color settings, or any other parameter that benefits from a rotary control, while the LCD keys handle your standard shortcuts.
This device offers unparalleled tactile control for complex workflows. You can assign different functions to the dials based on context, and the smart profiles feature automatically switches your interface configuration when you change applications. It’s an ideal solution for creators who need more nuanced control over their audio, video, and lighting setups beyond simple button presses.
Elgato Stream Deck Neo
The Elgato Stream Deck Neo is designed for users who need to speed through daily tasks in business and productivity applications. It features eight customizable keys and two touch points, offering a more compact form factor focused on efficiency. Its setup is remarkably simple, utilizing a drag-and-drop interface in the free Stream Deck app to assign actions.
This controller seamlessly integrates with essential apps like Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Zoom, Teams, and Spotify. It allows you to manage your favorite tools even when they are off-screen, making repetitive routines faster and more intuitive. The Neo is a fantastic entry point into task automation for professionals outside of the streaming world.
SOOMFON Stream Control Deck with 15 LCD Keys
This alternative from SOOMFON also boasts 15 fully customizable LCD keys, giving you the ability to trigger unlimited actions across your applications. A standout feature is the side dashboard, which can display real-time system information such as CPU and memory usage, providing valuable insights at a glance during resource-intensive tasks like streaming or editing.
It supports one-touch operation for a wide array of commands, from launching social posts to controlling smart lights. With integrated support for OBS, Twitch, YouTube, Discord, and more, it serves as a handy and visible control center for live streamers and creative professionals who want to monitor their system’s performance while they work.
Elgato Stream Deck Pedal
The Elgato Stream Deck Pedal offers a completely hands-free approach to task automation. This unique device features three customizable footswitches that can trigger actions in your favorite apps and software. It’s built with a heavy-duty chassis and includes interchangeable springs, allowing you to adjust the pedal pressure to your preference.
This is the perfect solution for situations where your hands are busy playing an instrument, typing, or operating other equipment. You can use it to go live, mute your microphone, toggle cameras, or execute any other macro without interrupting your primary activity. It adds a new dimension of control for streamers, musicians, and professionals in various fields.
Loupedeck Live
Loupedeck Live is a highly versatile console that combines customizable buttons, dials, and an LED touchscreen. It is designed for a broad range of creators, from live streamers to photo and video editors. It comes with native integrations for major software like OBS Studio, Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Final Cut Pro, including ready-made profiles.
Its powerful customization software lets you create unlimited pages of controls and assign complex macros to any button or dial. You can create custom actions that combine multiple commands and delays, offering a nearly limitless potential for workflow automation. For users who need deep, application-specific control across multiple creative disciplines, the Loupedeck Live is a compelling choice.
X-keys Programmable Keypad (24 Key)
The X-keys XK-24 is a straightforward, no-frills programmable keypad built for reliability and heavy use. It features 24 mechanical keys, each with blue and red addressable backlighting, providing a tactile and visual experience that is favored in many office and industrial environments. Its programming is robust, compatible with a wide range of Windows and MacOS versions.
This keypad is ideal for users who need to execute a large number of simple keyboard shortcuts or macros and prefer physical keys over LCD screens. Its simplicity and durability make it a excellent tool for data entry, CAD work, transcription, and any other scenario where a dedicated block of programmable keys can significantly speed up repetitive tasks.
Elgato Stream Deck XL
The Elgato Stream Deck XL is for the power user who demands maximum control without switching profiles. It features a massive 32 customizable LCD keys, providing ample real estate to map out every conceivable command for a complex live production, video editing timeline, or software development environment. Having so many actions visible and accessible at once can dramatically improve workflow continuity.
It retains all the core features of the Stream Deck ecosystem, including multi-actions, timer functions, and a vast plugin library. The XL is the ultimate studio controller for professionals who have outgrown smaller devices and need a comprehensive, all-in-one solution to manage their most sophisticated and demanding automated tasks.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Alternatives to Stream Deck
I’ve spent a lot of time trying out different tools to automate my workflow, from simple macro pads to full-blown software solutions. If you’re looking for the best alternatives to a Stream Deck, the choice really boils down to what you value most: physical buttons, a software-only approach, or a specific platform integration. Let me break down the key things I consider.
First, decide if you need a physical device. There’s a real tactile satisfaction in pressing a physical button that a touchscreen can’t replicate. If that’s important to you, look at dedicated hardware like the Loupedeck Live or a DIY solution using a macro keypad. These give you that instant, physical feedback. On the other hand, if you want to save money, desk space, or just prefer a cleaner setup, a software alternative is the way to go. Apps like Touch Portal or LioranBoard turn your phone or tablet into a powerful control surface for free or a very low cost.
Next, think about compatibility. This is a big one. Check that the alternative you’re eyeing works with your operating system. Many great options are Windows-only, while others have full support for macOS and even Linux. Also, look at the specific applications you use most. Do you need deep integration with OBS, Photoshop, or Visual Studio Code? Make sure the tool you pick has plugins or native support for your core programs. I always check the developer’s website for a list of supported apps before getting too excited.
Finally, consider the learning curve and customization. Some tools, like the Elgato Stream Deck itself, are famous for being incredibly easy to set up. Others, like VoiceAttack or AutoHotkey, are unbelievably powerful but require you to write scripts or use voice commands. Ask yourself how much time you’re willing to invest. Do you want to drag-and-drop icons and be done in five minutes, or are you okay with spending an afternoon building a complex, custom control panel that does exactly what you need? Your answer will quickly narrow down the field. Finding the right one of the 9 best alternatives to Stream Deck for automating tasks is all about matching the tool’s strengths to your personal needs and patience level.
FAQ
Can I use my phone as a Stream Deck?
Absolutely. This is one of the most popular and cost-effective methods. I use apps like Touch Portal and Streamlabs Deck on an old tablet. They create a customizable button interface on your phone’s screen that connects to your computer over your Wi-Fi network. You can create folders, change button colors and icons, and control a wide range of software. The main trade-off is that it uses a bit of your device’s battery and requires a network connection, but it’s a fantastic way to get started without spending any money on hardware.
Are there any good free alternatives?
Yes, there are several excellent free options. The ones I recommend most often are Touch Portal (has a free version with plenty of features), LioranBoard (which is a powerhouse for streamers and completely free), and software like AutoHotkey. AutoHotkey isn’t a button panel, but it lets you automate almost anything on your PC with custom keyboard shortcuts or scripts. For a free hardware-like experience, repurposing a old numeric keypad with software like JoyToKey can also work surprisingly well.
What is the best alternative for voice control?
If you want to move away from buttons entirely, VoiceAttack is the top choice for voice control on Windows. I’ve used it to launch applications, control music playback, and even execute complex multi-step commands in games and editing software. You record a voice command and assign an action to it, like a keystroke or a script. It’s incredibly powerful for automation, especially if your hands are busy with a keyboard and mouse. For basic system controls on Windows, you can also use the built-in Windows Voice Recognition, but VoiceAttack is far more versatile for task automation.
Do I need to know how to code to use these?
Not for most of them. Many of the 9 best alternatives to Stream Deck for automating tasks are designed to be user-friendly with visual interfaces. Tools like the Loupedeck software, Touch Portal, and Elgato’s own Stream Deck app use simple drag-and-drop or button-press programming. However, if you want to access the deepest level of automation and create highly specific routines, learning a tiny bit of scripting for tools like AutoHotkey or VoiceAttack will open up a world of possibilities. But for 90% of users, no coding knowledge is necessary.
Is a DIY macro pad difficult to build?
It’s easier than you might think. With platforms like Arduino (using a Pro Micro) and pre-made kits, you can build a basic macro pad without any soldering experience. The software side, often using QMK or VIA, is where most of the configuration happens, and it’s very visual. I built my first one over a weekend. It’s a fun project if you enjoy tinkering, and it results in a completely custom piece of hardware that fits your needs perfectly. If you don’t want to build from scratch, you can also buy pre-assembled macro keypads that are ready to program.